Medicine: The leaves and stems are used internally in the treatment of colds, especially chest colds; fevers, headaches, impotence, flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, post-partum problems, and worms in children
Food: Leaves are cooked and eaten as a potherb, either on its own or sometimes combined with other leaves and the seeds of watermelon. The leaves are also used as a flavouring with other foods

Source: Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014