Ankol has been used by traditional healers in the treatment of skin cancers by means of local application of the root as recommended by Indian Ayurveda. It is also used locally for the treatment of snakebite, scorpion bite as well as for dog bite. It also reduces blood pressure when taken orally due to its vasodilator activity.
Bark contains Alangine while four alkaloids have been isolated from branches, which are venoterpine, ankorine, cephaeline and psychotrine.