The Nature has provided us countless bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still concealed in the deep secrets waiting to be exposed and waiting to enhance 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 really a "genus" covering some 175 plants together. The name originates from Greek words for Iatros meaning physician and trophe meaning nutrition. So physic nuts or jatropha curcas, from the kingdom plantae is being studied widely for it can be put to many usages in our lives.

To start with, jatropha curcas is discovering terrific acceptance all over the world as a bio-doesel. The Jatropha seeds can be crushed to obtain the oil and this can be used as a bio-fuel. The residues can be used as fertilizer or as a feed for electrical power producing plants. And this enables a sustainable advancement. Not just the seeds, but the plant as a whole is well matched to fulfill the growing ecological concerns. And why simply the bio-diesel, it can be utilized as aviation fuel, automobile fuel and a host of other uses from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant find uses in basket making, ornamental purposes, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even discovers use in medicines for cough, balm ointments, tooth pastes, cosmetics and is even used to produce great quality paper. The plant is, therefore, being put to nearly every thinkable usage possible.

Though it puts the concern of having a sustainable source of energy at hands to a back burner, yet it needs to be supported and looked after to enable a healthy plant growth. And it has actually been observed that the Jatropha plants tax our water resources. So, they are grown in locations with lots of rainfall. This cuts the concern on the water resources, allows water preservation and human effort too. Because the irrigation financial is only one time cost of time, cash, effort and resources, it is being accepted as a sustainable choice worldwide.

But it is not all gift - goodie about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has toxic material. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In easy words, it can be hazardous and in severe conditions, even fatal to take in untreated plant. The seeds have to be effectively roasted and dealt with before being utilized in any consumable use. Since it has ended up being feasible to deal with the harmful material, the plant consumption has also been rising. To meet the increasing needs, the plant has to be grown through various scientific techniques like in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation. This enables quick development and for developing disease and pest resistant ranges of the plant. And a healthy crop will imply more fuel and much better environment on the whole.

It remains in our hands to reside in consistency with the nature, and it is our options that determine the outcome of the interaction we have with the nature. If we choose environment friendly items, we enhance our lives. So, choosing jatropha curcas can be the initial step in enhancing the wealth called environment.