The Mother Nature has actually offered us many bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still hidden in the deep mysteries waiting to be exposed and waiting to enhance our lives. Among these bounties is Jatropha, the physic nut. It is among 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 physician and trophe significance nutrition. So physic nuts or Jatropha, from the kingdom plantae is being studied extensively for it can be put to lots of usages in our daily lives.

To start with, Jatropha is discovering great acceptance all over the world as a bio-doesel. The Jatropha seeds can be crushed to acquire the oil and this can be used as a bio-fuel. The residues can be used as fertilizer or as a feed for plants. And this allows for a sustainable advancement. Not simply the seeds, but the plant as a whole is well suited to meet the growing ecological concerns. And why just the bio-diesel, it can be used as air travel fuel, auto fuel and a host of other uses from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant find uses in basket making, decorative functions, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even finds use in medicines for cough, balm ointments, toothpastes, cosmetics and is even utilized to produce excellent quality paper. The plant is, for that reason, being put to almost every thinkable use possible.

Though it puts the concern of having a renewable source of energy at hands to a back burner, yet it needs to be nurtured and looked after to enable a healthy plant growth. And it has been observed that the jatropha curcas plants tax our water resources. So, they are grown in areas with lots of rains. This cuts the burden on the water resources, allows water conservation and human effort too. Because the watering 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 gift - gift about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has toxic material. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In simple words, it can be hazardous and in severe conditions, even deadly to take in untreated plant. The seeds need to be properly roasted and treated before being utilized in any consumable use. Since it has become practical to treat the harmful content, the plant consumption has actually also been rising. To satisfy the increasing demands, the plant needs to be grown through different scientific methods like in-vitro and ex-vitro proliferation. This permits for quick development and for developing illness and insect resistant ranges of the plant. And a healthy crop will indicate more fuel and much better environment on the whole.

It remains in our hands to live in harmony with the nature, and it is our choices that identify the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we select environment friendly items, we enhance our lives. So, picking Jatropha can be the first action in enhancing the wealth called environment.