The Mulateiro bark is deeply ingrained in the native culture, from being used as an admixture in the Ayahuasca rituals, to its many different uses in folkloric medicine. A poultice made from the bark has been used topically in treating cuts, wounds and burns, due to its anti-fungal, emollient and vulnerary qualities. The natives have also used a tea made from the bark on their bodies after bathing, they then sun dry themselves. This forms a thin film covering their bodies believed to help fight the effects of aging. Other Amazonian tribes have traditionally used the bark of this tree for various skin ailments, in the form of concoctions for fighting skin parasites, and in powder for fungal infections of the skin. Indigenous people of the Amazon boil 1 kilo of Mulateiro bark in 10 liters of water to obtain 4 liters of medicine which is drunk (150 ml per day) for three consecutive months to "cure" diabetes. Peruvian tribes use the bark for myucoses and against "sarna negra" a nasty little arachnid that lives under the skin and is commonly found in the Amazon basin area.

There is little research on the active ingredients in the Mulateiro bark as of yet, although it is known to have a high content of tannins.