The Nature has actually offered us numerous 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. One of these bounties is Jatropha, the physic nut. It is one of 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 implying physician and trophe meaning nutrition. So physic nuts or Jatropha, from the kingdom plantae is being studied commonly for it can be put to many usages in our daily lives.

To start with, Jatropha is discovering terrific approval all over the world as a bio-doesel. The Jatropha seeds can be squashed 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 generating plants. And this enables for a sustainable development. Not simply the seeds, however the plant as a whole is well fit to satisfy the growing environmental concerns. And why just the bio-diesel, it can be utilized as aviation fuel, car fuel and a host of other usages from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant discover usages in basket making, ornamental functions, and tanning leather and obtaining dyes. The plant even finds usage in medicines for cough, balm lotions, toothpastes, cosmetics and is even used to produce great quality paper. The plant is, for that reason, being put to practically every conceivable usage 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 taken care of to permit for a plant growth. 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 problem on the water resources, allows water conservation and human effort too. Because the watering 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 material. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In easy words, it can be damaging and in extreme conditions, even deadly to consume neglected plant. The seeds need to be correctly roasted and treated before being used in any consumable usage. Since it has become practical to treat the poisonous material, the plant usage has actually also been rising. To meet the increasing demands, the plant needs to be grown through numerous scientific approaches like in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation. This enables for fast growth and for developing disease and insect resistant varieties 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 choices that identify the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we choose environment friendly items, we improve our lives. So, selecting Jatropha can be the first action in enhancing the wealth called environment.