Moermann notes that various Cypripediums from North America were used by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa, Algonquin, Okanagan-Colville tribes for Venereal disease, neuralgia, as an antihelminthic, for ‘fits’, colds, flu, stomach cramps, female troubles, male disorders, love potion, kidney trouble, diabetes, blood medicine, fever, sedative, soreness, ‘nervousness’ or lack of energy, TB, bites of a mad dog , to have small babies. He notes that the Menominee (from Wisconsin) used it as a hallucinogen.

The glandular hairs on the leaves and stems can cause a rash, similar to "Poison Ivy" rash and some part of these plants may be mildly to severely toxic to either animals and/or humans.