The plant and its extracts have been long used in tribal communities as a toxin antagonist for various snakebites. It has been studied for its effects against bites by Naja spp. (cobra), Echis (Saw scaled viper), Calloselasma (Malayan Pit viper) and Bangarus (Krait).
It has long been used in Indian traditional [[Ayurvedic Indian medicine ]] in an attempt to treat diseases including Parkinson's disease.
It is also used in Siddha system of medicine for various purposes.