In traditional medicine the root of this plant is aphrodisiac, diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy[Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986]. A paste of the root is applied as a poultice to treat scabies and muscular swellings. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and fevers. The powdered root, mixed with corn flour (Zea mays) is baked and used in the treatment of menstrual disorders. The leaves are diuretic[Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002]. They are used to reduce inflammation[Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986]. A decoction of them is used to treat abscesses[. The leaf juice is used to treat wounds[Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985].

Four o’clock flower (flowers open in late afternoon, fragrant all night, pollinated by hawk moths). Not the source of Jalap, the purgative from the roots of Ipomoea purga. Can be used to extract cadmium from polluted soils. Used a food colouring, and as a diuretic, purgative, healing wounds and even aphrodisiac.

Toxic in large doses

"Humans: Harmful if eaten."-HTA guidelines