Ethnobotanical and general use
The plant is applied for amoebiasis: 3 leaves are boiled in 2 liter of water; 3 cups a day are taken of this liquid for 13 days. Squeezed leaves are put on the forhead to cure headache. Ground leaves are put into the nose for nasal haemorrhage. A spoonful of the leaf sap is taken orally for menorrhagia. The sap of the leaves also cures irritations of the eyes. A decoction of the leaves is taken to stimulate the appetite, or for use as an emmenagogue and diuretic. It is furthermore useful for colds, headaches and as an external haemostatic. The fresh entire plant is used to protect the teeth which adopt a black colour when masticating the plant. Root in decoction is used for malaria, fever and toothache.

Healing properties
Water saturated with essential oil is molluscicidal. The entire plant has immunostimulating properties, antibacterial activity (Staphylococcus aureus and others), and relaxing effects on the smooth muscular system.

Purple-veined leaves are boiled and the tea is drunk to treat headaches

South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.