The Nature has provided us countless bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still hidden 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 among the most popular herbs and the term Jatropha is really a "genus" covering some 175 plants together. The name originates from Greek words for Iatros meaning doctor and trophe meaning nutrition. So physic nuts or Jatropha, from the kingdom plantae is being studied extensively for it can be put to numerous usages in our lives.

To begin with, Jatropha is finding fantastic acceptance all over the world as a bio-doesel. The jatropha curcas seeds can be crushed to acquire the oil and this can be utilized as a bio-fuel. The residues can be used as fertilizer or as a feed for electrical power producing plants. And this permits for a sustainable development. Not just the seeds, but the plant as a whole is well suited to satisfy the growing environmental concerns. And why just the bio-diesel, it can be used 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 functions, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even discovers use in medications for cough, balm ointments, tooth pastes, cosmetics and is even utilized to produce excellent quality paper. The plant is, for that reason, being put to practically every credible use possible.

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

But it is not all gift - goodie about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has harmful content. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In simple words, it can be hazardous and in severe conditions, even fatal to consume without treatment plant. The seeds need to be correctly roasted and dealt with before being utilized in any consumable usage. Since it has actually become practical to treat the harmful content, the plant intake has actually also been rising. To meet the increasing needs, the plant has actually to be grown through different scientific methods like in-vitro and ex-vitro proliferation. This allows for rapid development and for establishing disease and pest resistant varieties of the plant. And a healthy crop will suggest more fuel and better environment on the whole.

It remains in our hands to live in harmony with the nature, and it is our options that identify the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we select environment friendly products, we enhance our lives. So, selecting Jatropha can be the initial step in enhancing the wealth called environment.