Gum is used as an antiseptic. It is bland and mucilaginous. A paste made out of the gum is applied to the temples in headache. It is also applied to buboes and to the painful bones in syphylis. It may also be used as a tent or pessary to dialate the Os Uteri as it is very tough and swells rapidy when moistened. It is said to induce abortion. It is used in Punjab in rheumatism and as an astringent (Chopra et al., 1938).

Leaves are galactogogue, refrigerant, laxative and improve digestion.

The tender leaves reduce phlegm and given internally in scurvy and catarrhal affections.

Leaves are used to prepare decoction for steam sudation and as a fomentation in piles (Ca. Su., 14.31; Ca. Ci., 14.45).

Fresh leaf juice mixed with honey is used as eyedrops in eye ailments and in fainting fits due to nervous debility.

Leaves enhance the taste of food preparations and reduce dyspnoea and pain in the eyes.

Flowers are used as a tonic and for health of the eyes and to increase the flow of bile. Flowers are sometimes boiled with milk and used as an aphrodisiac (Chopra et al., 1938).

Flowers, irritant in action, are used in the inflammation of tendons and abscesses.

The unripe pods act as a preventive against intestinal worms.

The fruit is sweet and pungent in taste, an appetiser, prevents eye disorders and increases semen both qualitatively and quantitatively. If taken in excess, it causes circulatory problems and a burning sensation in the stomach (heartburn) because of a caustic substance present. It is used in lymph gland enlargement, thyroid swellings, abscesses, ulcers, toxins and dyspnoea. A soup prepared from the fruits used as a wholesome food in helminthiasis (Ca. Su., 2.23).

Drumstick is a heart tonic but aggravates the bile (Ca. Su., 27.170; Su. Sa. Su. 46.246).

The seed extract is nasally administered in diseases like rhinitis (Ca. Ci., 26.179).

Seeds are acrid and stimulant. A paste of the seeds is useful in the scrofulous glands of the neck. Seeds are ground in water and instilled into the nostrils to cure headaches due to cold and excess of Kafa.

Dried seeds are good for eyesight, used as an antiallergic and in headaches, may cause impotency.

Errhine drugs are obtained from seeds (Ca. Su., 2.3; Ca. Su., 4.27; Su. Sa. Su., 39.5) and seeds are a source of oil (Ca. Su., 13.10).

Collyrium prepared from seeds is used in venomous bites (Ca. Ci., 23.183).

Seeds also increase body heat and excretion.

Oil of the seeds is anti-histaminic and analgesic. The oil is also used externally in skin disease (Su. Ci., 9.33; Ca. Ci., 7.106). The oil with seed is used externally in fevers (Ca. Ci., 3.267), mental disorders (Ca. Ci., 10.33) and in ear diseases (Ca. Ci., 26.226). It is orally used in musculo-skeletal disorders (Ca. Ci., 27.54 ; Ca. Ci., 28.168), in gout, acute rheumatism (Ca. Ci., 29.151), piles, injuries, to reduce fat and in diabetes. Internal use of the oil may cause impotency.

Uses in Siddha

The bark is used as an emmenagogue. Flowers, leaves and roots are used as anthelmintic, in giddiness, nausea, pitta disease and tuberculosis.

Uses in Unani

Laxative, antispasmodic; leaves used externally in laryngitis.

Hakims prescribe a decoction of the root as a gargle, abortifacient, rubefacient, counter-irritant in rheumatic cases and in the enlargement of the liver in children (Chopra et al., 1938).

The fruits are prescribed by Hakims in cases of articular pains, tetanus, debility of nerves, paralysis, pustules, patches and leprosy (Chopra et al., 1938).