The Nature has actually provided us countless bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still hidden in the deep mysteries waiting to be revealed and waiting to improve our lives. One of these bounties is Jatropha, 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 comes from Greek words for Iatros suggesting doctor and trophe significance nutrition. So physic nuts or jatropha curcas, from the kingdom plantae is being studied widely for it can be put to numerous uses in our every day lives.

To start with, Jatropha is finding great 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 utilized as fertilizer or as a feed for electrical power producing plants. And this permits a sustainable development. Not just the seeds, however the plant as a whole is well matched to fulfill the growing environmental issues. And why just the bio-diesel, it can be utilized as aviation fuel, auto fuel and a host of other uses from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant discover uses in basket making, ornamental functions, and tanning leather and getting dyes. The plant even discovers use in medicines for cough, balm lotions, toothpastes, cosmetics and is even used to produce excellent quality paper. The plant is, therefore, being put to almost every conceivable 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 and cared for to permit 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 plenty of rainfall. This cuts the problem on the water resources, permits water conservation and human effort too. Because the irrigation investment is just one time expenditure of time, money, effort and resources, it is being accepted as a sustainable option worldwide.

But it is not all gift - gift about the plant. The jatropha curcas plant has toxic content. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In basic words, it can be hazardous and in severe conditions, even deadly to take in unattended plant. The seeds have to be effectively roasted and dealt with before being used in any consumable use. Since it has become practical to deal with the hazardous content, the plant usage has actually also been increasing. To fulfill the increasing demands, the plant has actually to be grown through different scientific approaches like in-vitro and ex-vitro proliferation. This enables for rapid growth and for developing disease and pest resistant ranges of the plant. And a healthy crop will imply more fuel and 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 enrich our lives. So, choosing jatropha curcas can be the very first action in improving the wealth called environment.