The timber of Bruguiera cylindrica is dense, reddish and strong and is used in construction. It burns well as firewood and can be converted into charcoal. The crushed bark has an unusual odour which is repulsive to fish and this wood is not therefore used for fish traps.Nevertheless, extracts are made from the pneumatophores which are used in the manufacture of perfume. Parts of the tree are eaten the root tips are relished in Thailand the bark supplies a spice and the young shoots are boiled and served as a vegetable. In Maldives the propagules are boiled and eaten as a vegetable in the islands where it grows.
In traditional medicine, the skin of the fruit is used to stop bleeding and the leaves are used to lower blood pressure.