In traditional herbal medicine the roots are astringent and are cooked and used in the treatment of diarrhoea. (Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991) The leaf juice is used in Nepal to treat catarrh. A paste of the root is applied to swellings and is also used as a rubefacient [Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon]

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The leaves and stem tips are eaten raw or cooked. The mucilaginous qualities of the plant make it an excellent thickening agent in soups, stews etc where it can be used as a substitute for okra, Abelmoschatus esculentus[Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991].

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