Picao Preto has a long history of use by the indigenous people of the Amazon and virtually all parts of the plant are used. In the Peruvian Amazon, Picao Preto is used for aftosa, angina, diabetes, dysentery, dysmenorrhea, edema, hepatitis, jaundice, laryngitis and worms. In Piura, a decoction of the toots is used for alcoholic hepatitis and worms. The Cuna tribe mixes the crushed leaves with water to treat headaches. Near Pucallpa Peru, the leaf is balled up and applied to a toothache and the leaves are also used for headaches. In other parts of the Amazon a decoction of the plant is mixed with lemon juice and used for angina, sore throat, water retention, hepatitis, and dropsy. The Exuma tribes grind the sun-dried leaves with olive oil to make poultices for sores and lacerations, and in Tonga, an infusion of the flowers is used to treat upset stomach in food poisoning. Dr. James Duke reports that "Chewing or gargling may help angina and sores in the mouth: infusions used as emmenagogue, antidysenteric, and to alleviate chills." He also reports that indigenous peoples in Brazil use the plant as a diuretic and to treat jaundice. In Peruvian herbal medicine today, the plant is called Amor Seco or Cadillo and is considered diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective; commonly used for hepatitis, conjunctivitis, abscesses, mycosis, urinary infections, as a weight loss aid and to stimulate childbirth. In Brazilian herbal medicine, it is called Picao Preto or Cuambu and is considered emollient, astringent, and diuretic being used for fevers, blenorrhagia, leucorrhea, jaundice, diabetes, sore throat, tonsilitis, obstructions in the liver and other liver disorders, urinary infections and vaginal infections