Native to North America, Virginia pepperweed has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years to curb diabetes, expel intestinal worms, ease rheumatic pain, treat poison ivy rash, cure scurvy, and relieve the croup.

More recently, in a pharmacological screening for diuretic activity in rats using an aqueous extract of pepperweed given orally and intraperitoneally, enhanced urinary excretion was observed as compared to control groups. A slight increase in ion excretion was also observed.

Virginia pepperweed prefers sunny conditions and dry soil.