The Nature has given us innumerable bounties ... some we understand of and some that are still concealed in the deep secrets waiting to be exposed and waiting to improve our lives. Among these bounties is Jatropha, the physic nut. It is one of the most popular herbs and the term jatropha curcas is actually a "genus" covering some 175 plants together. The name originates from Greek words for Iatros suggesting physician and trophe significance nutrition. So physic nuts or Jatropha, from the kingdom plantae is being studied commonly for it can be put to many uses in our lives.

To begin with, Jatropha is finding great acceptance all over the world as a bio-doesel. The jatropha curcas seeds can be crushed to obtain the oil and this can be utilized as a bio-fuel. The residues can be used as fertilizer or as a feed for electricity generating plants. And this allows for a sustainable development. Not simply the seeds, however the plant as a whole is well matched to fulfill the growing environmental issues. And why simply the bio-diesel, it can be used as air travel fuel, auto fuel and a host of other uses from other parts of the plants. The stems of this plant discover usages in basket making, ornamental purposes, and tanning leather and acquiring dyes. The plant even discovers usage in medicines for cough, balm ointments, tooth pastes, cosmetics and is even used to produce great quality paper. The plant is, therefore, 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 a healthy plant development. And it has been observed that the Jatropha plants tax our water resources. So, they are grown in areas with plenty of rainfall. This cuts the burden on the water resources, enables water preservation and human effort too. Because the irrigation financial investment is just one time cost of time, money, effort and resources, it is being accepted as a sustainable choice worldwide.

But it is not all goodie - gift about the plant. The Jatropha plant has toxic content. It has lectin, saponin, phorbol, toxalbumin curcin and is a trypsin inhibitor. In simple words, it can be harmful and in extreme conditions, even fatal to consume untreated plant. The seeds need to be properly roasted and dealt with before being utilized in any consumable use. Since it has actually become possible to deal with the harmful material, the plant intake has likewise been rising. To satisfy the increasing demands, the plant has actually to be grown through numerous scientific approaches like in-vitro and ex-vitro propagation. This permits for rapid growth and for developing disease and pest resistant varieties of the plant. And a healthy crop will indicate more fuel and better environment on the whole.

It remains in our hands to reside in harmony with the nature, and it is our options that identify the result of the interaction we have with the nature. If we pick environment friendly items, we enhance our lives. So, selecting jatropha curcas can be the primary step in enhancing the wealth called environment.

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