What are the Uses of Jatropha curcas?
Jatropha Oil is also used as an alternative to diesel oil and is also being used extensively for making soap in some countries. Also the oil is used as an illuminant in lamps as it burns without emitting smoke and other hazardous gases. It is also used as fuel in place of or along kerosene in stoves. In medicine, the ether extract shows antibiotic properties, the latex of Jatropha contains an alkaloid known as Jatrophine which is believed to have anti-cancerous properties. It is also used as an external application for skin diseases and rheumatism and for sores for domestic livestock. In addition, the tender twigs of the plant are used for cleaning teeth while the juice of the leaves is used as an external application for piles. Finally the roots are used as an antidote for snake bites. The bark of Jatropha yields a dark blue dye which is used for colouring cloth, fishing nets and lines. Jatropha curcas seed cake is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and can be used as organic
