The following notes refer to the uses in traditional medicine of the related species P. milliaceum. The seed is cooling and demulcent. The cooked seed is applied as a poultice for abscesses, sores etc whilst juice from chewed seeds is applied to children's sores. The seed is also incinerated and mixed with oil then used as a poultice that is said to heal sores without leaving a scar. A decoction of the root is used as an antidote to poisoning by Momordica spp, it is also used to treat haematuria in women and as a bath for skin eruptions Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985].