Traditional African medicine: use of the whole plant for medicinal purposes: crushed bark or paste from the leaves applied locally to wounds; the pressed juice of the leaves for eye inflammation, decoction of twigs and leaves as a laxative.
The legumes are used as an insecticide and fodder plant and sometimes as food. Also used as an aphrodisiac by chewing the twigs.
As an antidepressant due to the high concentration of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), especially in the seeds.