The Mother Nature has provided us many bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still concealed in the deep mysteries waiting to be exposed and waiting to enrich our lives. Among these bounties is jatropha curcas, the physic nut. It is among the most popular herbs and the term jatropha curcas is in fact a "genus" covering some 175 plants together. The name originates from Greek words for Iatros implying 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 uses in our everyday lives.

To start with, jatropha curcas is discovering excellent approval all over the world as a bio-doesel. The jatropha curcas seeds can be squashed to obtain the oil and this can be utilized as a bio-fuel. The residues can be utilized as fertilizer or as a feed for electricity producing plants. And this enables a sustainable development. Not just the seeds, but the plant as a whole is well suited to satisfy the growing environmental issues. And why just the bio-diesel, it can be used as aviation fuel, car fuel and a host of other uses from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant find uses in basket making, decorative purposes, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even finds usage in medications for cough, balm lotions, tooth pastes, cosmetics and is even utilized to produce excellent quality paper. The plant is, for that reason, being put to almost every conceivable usage possible.

Though it puts the worry of having a sustainable source of energy at hands to a back burner, yet it needs to be nurtured and cared for to enable a healthy plant development. And it has been observed that the jatropha curcas plants tax our water resources. So, they are grown in locations with plenty of rains. This cuts the burden on the water resources, allows water preservation and human effort too. Because the watering investment is just one time expense 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 poisonous material. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In simple words, it can be harmful and in extreme conditions, even deadly to consume without treatment plant. The seeds need to be properly roasted and treated before being utilized in any consumable use. Since it has become feasible to treat the harmful material, the plant consumption has actually likewise been rising. To meet the increasing demands, the plant needs to be grown through various scientific techniques like in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation. This permits rapid development and for developing illness and insect resistant varieties of the plant. And a healthy crop will mean more fuel and much better environment on the whole.

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