Depending on its age and method of preparation, it is taken for Spiritual visions, divination, enhanced sexuality, Ancestor communication, medical diagnosis, and telepathy. Also used as a snuff, drunk, or chewed. This liana is the main ingredient of Santo Daime , the sacrament of a Brazilian Religious Movement. It also has a reputation for enhancing creativity. Yam, Wild See Wild Yam.
Most men say, that the leaves chewed, and especially greene, are a remedie for toothach.
The flowers are used to flavour liqueurs. Native Americans used a decoction of the root to strengthen muscles. For nosebleeds, a leaf can be bruised and inserted into the nostril. The dark blue essential oil is obtained from the flowers by steam distillation. It makes a good chest rub for colds and flu when combined with peppermint, eucalyptus, hyssop or thyme oils.