Description: J. curcas is a small tree (or shrub). It has ovate leaves with three to five lobes and a cordate base, yellowish-green flowers, and capsule fruit that turn dark brown containing black seeds.

The fresh seeds are poisonous and they can be mistaken for nuts.

Uses:

• The latex produced from the branches is used for wound healing.
• The branches are used as a chewing sticks.
• The seeds are used to make oil that is used as fuel.
• The seeds are used as a purgative.
• The leaves are used as an antiseptics after birth.
• The leaves are used to treat cough.
• The leaves are used against madness.
• The roots are used to make a tonic that is given to infants.
• The roots are leaves are used in the treatment of fits and convulsions.

References and further reading:

• Adesina, S.K., 1982. Studies on some plants used as anticonvulsants in Amerindian and African traditional medicine. Fitoterapia 5–6, pp. 147–162.
• Carels, N., 2009. Jatropha curcas: a review. Advances in botanical research, 50, pp.39-86.
• Gelfand, M., Mavi, S., Drummond, R.B. and Ndemera, B., 1985. The Traditional Medical Practitioner in Zimbabwe. Mambo Press, Zimbabwe.
• Openshaw, K., 2000. A review of Jatropha curcas: an oil plant of unfulfilled promise. Biomass and bioenergy, 19(1), pp.1-15.
• Prasad, D.R., Izam, A. and Khan, M.M.R., 2012. Jatropha curcas: Plant of medical benefits. Journal of medicinal plants research, 6(14), pp.2691-2699.
• Sharma, S., Dhamija, H.K. and Parashar, B., 2012. Jatropha curcas: a review. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Science, 2(3), pp.107-111.