In traditional medicine the leaf is considered restorative and tonic. This plant is especially useful for the aged. The flowering stem is analgesic, antibacterial, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, depurative, emmenagogue, febrifuge, resolvent, tonic and vasodilator. A decoction is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, sore throats and various boils and abscesses. The seed is cardiotonic and haemostatic. The whole plant is cooked with other foods and used to treat rheumatism.