Rhizome is anthelmintic and also powder with hot water is used as a tonic, tincture iodine in wound and cut, food poisoning and leech repellent. It contains a glucoside aparistyphnin which has depressant action on carotid pressure, myocardium and respiratory movement. It produces vasoconstriction in kidney but vasodilation in the spleen and limbs and stimulates isolated intestines, fever, anti venom in snake stung; it is considered as a vermifuge.
Root paste is taken to alleviate narcotic effects, alleged galactagogue property and as a vital tonic; chewing a piece of the root is believed to heal internal wounds below throat and also applied to cuts and wounds, as an antidote to the bite for poisonous insects and snakebite, pieces of the root are fed to cattle with diarrhea and dysentery; juice of the root is taken as an anthelmintic.