Although cardinal flower is related to the common herb Lobelia (lobelia inflata), it is not generally used by modern herbalists. Historical herbalists, such as the eclectics, also have little to say about it.
Lloyd and Lloyd, in Drugs and Medicines of North America, 1884-1887, note the use of an infusion or powder of the plant for worms, but it is based on written mention of the herb by two other authors. A third author is mentioned, Johann David Schoepf of Materia Medica Americanna, as having said that L. cardinalis had similar properties to Lobelia syphilitica, but Lloyd and Lloyd felt that Schoepf knew little about it regardless.
However, ethnobotanical resources, such as the USDA plants database and the University of Michigan's Ethnobotany database, confirm that cardinal flower originally had many herbal uses. The Cherokee and Iroquois seem to have used it extensively, and several other tribes used it occasionally.
Some common traditional uses included:
- Use of the cooled infusion of the plant to stem nosebleeds
- A decoction of the whole plant given for sicknesses caused by grieving
- An infusion of the leaves taken internally for colds, fevers, and rheumatism
- Poultices made out of the roots were used externally for sores (especially those taking a long time to heal), fever blisters, injuries, swelling and rheumatism
- As part of treatment for croup, syphilis, typhoid, and tuberculosis
Other traditional applications of cardinal flower included uses as an analgesic, anticonvulsive, antispasmodic and gynecological aid.
Additionally, the Iroquois believed it to strengthen other herbs when used in conjunction with them.
In many ways, the uses of L. cardinalis appear to overlap those of L. inflata, although L. inflata was more commonly used as an emetic and to address spasms, epileptic conditions and issues of the lungs. However, both types of lobelia are considered to be potentially toxic, with overuse or abuse by humans possibly leading to paralysis, coma and death.
