The Mother Nature has provided us innumerable bounties … some we know of and some that are still concealed in the deep mysteries waiting to be exposed and waiting to improve our lives. One of these bounties is Jatropha, the physic nut. It is one of the most popular herbs and the term jatropha curcas is actually a “genus” covering some 175 plants together. The name comes from Greek words for Iatros indicating doctor and trophe meaning nutrition. So physic nuts or jatropha curcas, from the kingdom plantae is being studied extensively for it can be put to many usages in our lives.

To start with, Jatropha is discovering terrific acceptance all over the world as a bio-doesel. The jatropha curcas seeds can be squashed to get the oil and this can be utilized as a bio-fuel. The residues can be utilized as fertilizer or as a feed for electrical power creating plants. And this enables a sustainable development. Not simply the seeds, however the plant as a whole is well suited to meet the growing environmental issues. And why simply the bio-diesel, it can be used as aviation fuel, vehicle fuel and a host of other usages from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant find usages in basket making, ornamental purposes, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even finds usage in medicines for cough, balm lotions, toothpastes, cosmetics and is even utilized to produce good quality paper. The plant is, therefore, being put to nearly every credible use possible.

Though it puts the worry of having a renewable source of energy at hands to a back burner, yet it requires to be supported and looked after to permit for a healthy plant growth. And it has actually been observed that the jatropha curcas plants tax our water resources. So, they are grown in areas with lots of rainfall. This cuts the concern on the water resources, permits water conservation and human effort too. Because the watering financial investment is only one time cost of time, cash, effort and resources, it is being accepted as a sustainable alternative worldwide.

But it is not all goodie - goodie about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has toxic material. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In basic words, it can be harmful and in extreme conditions, even deadly to take in untreated plant. The seeds need to be properly roasted and dealt with before being used in any consumable use. Since it has become possible to treat the hazardous content, the plant consumption has likewise been increasing. To meet the increasing demands, the plant has to be grown through numerous scientific approaches like in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation. This enables rapid growth and for developing illness and bug resistant varieties of the plant. And a crop will indicate more fuel and much better environment on the whole.

It is in our hands to live in consistency with the nature, and it is our options that determine the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we select environment friendly items, we enrich our lives. So, picking Jatropha can be the primary step in enhancing the wealth called environment.