In traditional herbal medicine: The pulped fruit is an extremely beneficial skin-wash for people with oily skin. (Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993) Sliced fruits are a quick and easy first aid treatment for burns, scalds and sunburn. A decoction of the root is ingested in the treatment of toothache(Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985). The skin of tomato fruits is a good source of lycopine, a substance that has been shown to protect people from heart attacks. It seems to be more effective when it is cooked and so can be obtained from food products such as tomato ketchup and tinned tomatoes. Lycopine has also been shown to have a very beneficial effect upon the prostate and is being used increasingly to treat enlarge prostate and the difficulties in urination that accompany this disorder. The leaves, in a mixture with castor oil (Ricinus communis), is used in the treatment of incipient leprosy spots. A paste of the leaves is applied to filarial worm swellings on a painful groin. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and severe headaches.

The fruit is not toxic but the leaves and stems are due to the presence of the alkaloid tomatine , which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.