The Mother Nature has given us countless bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still hidden in the deep mysteries waiting to be revealed 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 is actually a "genus" covering some 175 plants together. The name comes from Greek words for Iatros meaning physician and trophe meaning nutrition. So physic nuts or jatropha curcas, from the kingdom plantae is being studied commonly for it can be put to many uses in our daily lives.

To start with, jatropha curcas is finding excellent approval all over the world as a bio-doesel. The jatropha curcas 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 allows for a sustainable advancement. Not simply the seeds, but the plant as a whole is well suited to meet the growing environmental issues. And why simply the bio-diesel, it can be utilized as aviation fuel, auto fuel and a host of other usages from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant find uses in basket making, ornamental functions, and tanning leather and obtaining dyes. The plant even finds usage in medicines for cough, balm ointments, tooth pastes, cosmetics and is even utilized to produce great quality paper. The plant is, therefore, being put to practically every imaginable use possible.

Though it puts the concern of having an eco-friendly source of energy at hands to a back burner, yet it requires to be nurtured and taken care of to enable 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 a lot of rainfall. This cuts the burden on the water resources, allows water conservation and human effort too. Because the irrigation investment is only one time expense of time, money, effort and resources, it is being accepted as a sustainable option worldwide.

But it is not all goodie - goodie about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has poisonous content. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In basic words, it can be harmful and in extreme conditions, even fatal to take in untreated plant. The seeds have to be effectively roasted and dealt with before being used in any consumable use. Since it has become possible to deal with the toxic content, the plant consumption has also been rising. To meet the increasing demands, the plant needs to be grown through various scientific techniques like in-vitro and ex-vitro proliferation. This fast development and for developing illness and insect 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 harmony with the nature, and it is our choices that identify the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we pick environment friendly products, we enhance our lives. So, choosing Jatropha can be the initial step in improving the wealth called environment.