The bark is used as an intoxicant in Tanzania by the Chagga.
In the Transkei, bark is used by traditional healers as a tranquillizer for patients believed to have been possessed by spirits.
Dried leaves are used as a snuff for headaches.
Stems are used for making beer.
Blood-purifying decoctions are made from the rootbark.
Bark is used in medicines for abdominal pain, and also to ward off evil spirits.
In Kenya, the leaves are used to help newly circumcised boys to sleep.
Rootbark contains the alkaloid reserpine, which has a sedative and tranquillizing effect but is not hypnotic.
The alkaloid yohimbine is also present in Rauvolfia.