What Is Jatropha Curcas?

Jatropha curcas (Latin name: Jatropha curcas L.) Alias: Lamb tung, stink tung, yellow swollen tree, small tung tree, false white grove, fake peanut Classification status: Euphorbiaceae shrub or small tree, smooth bark; leaves Leaves alternate, ovate or nearly round, androgynous; cymes; capsules nearly spherical, yellow when ripe.

Jatropha curcas is a light-positive plant with a strong and robust root system, strong resistance to drought and barrenness, strict requirements on soil conditions, rapid growth, and resistance to pests and diseases, suitable for south of 31 degrees north latitude in China (that is, south of the Huaihe River in Qinling) Planting.

Native to tropical America; now widely distributed in tropical regions of the world. China's Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan and other provinces have cultivated or a small amount of wild. ^[1]

The seeds have high oil content, and the oil is used for industrial or medical purposes. ^[1]

Jatropha Industry

Leprosy tree

The Jatropha tree grows rapidly. It has strong vitality and can form continuous forest communities in some places. It is not only easy for artificial afforestation, strong natural regeneration ability, but also resistant to fire, it can grow on arid, barren, degraded soil. It is suitable for planting in tropical and subtropical areas as well as dry and hot river valleys with little rainfall and harsh conditions. Jatropha also has high economic value, and is recognized as a bioenergy tree in the world. The seed kernel is a traditional soap and lubricating oil raw material, and has the functions of diarrhea and vomiting. Oil wither can be used as pesticide and fertilizer. Great progress has been made in the use of Jatropha oil as fuel. The modified Jatropha oil can be applied to various diesel engines, and has key technologies such as flash point, freezing point, sulfur content, carbon monoxide emissions, and particle value. All of them are better than domestic No. 0 diesel and meet European No. 2 emission standards. ^[3]

Jatropha medicinal

Seed oil has a diarrhea effect; similar to croton, but the effect is weak. 3-5 seeds (shelled and ground) can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and burning in the upper abdomen. After squeezing the oil, it contains toxic protein, which is harmful to the blood and can cause poisoning. Some of these ingredients have the effect of inhibiting frog heart, lowering blood pressure in dogs, and inhibiting breathing. It can also excite rat small intestine movements and cannot be blocked by atropine. The seeds also contain hemostatic ingredients, which can significantly reduce the thrombin time, bleeding time, and blood clotting time, but the components of the protein contained in it have the effect of extending the thrombin time. Jatropha: astringent, slightly cold, toxic. Treatment of bruises, pain, fractures, trauma, itching of the skin, eczema, acute gastroenteritis. This plant is poisonous and should be used with caution when taken orally. ^[4]

Pharmacological action

Seed oil has a diarrhea effect; similar to croton, but the effect is weak. 3-5 seeds (shelled and ground) can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and burning in the upper abdomen. After squeezing the oil, it contains toxic protein, which is harmful to the blood and can cause poisoning. Some of these ingredients have the effect of inhibiting frog heart, lowering blood pressure in dogs, and inhibiting breathing. It can also excite rat small intestine movements and cannot be blocked by atropine. The seeds also contain hemostatic ingredients, which can significantly reduce the thrombin time, bleeding time, and blood clotting time, but the components of the protein contained in it have the effect of extending the thrombin time.

Sexual taste

"Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": astringent, slightly cold, poisonous.

Functional indication

Treatment of bruises, pain, fractures, trauma, itching of the skin, eczema, acute gastroenteritis.

"Color Atlas of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicine": clearing heat, reducing spasm, stopping vomiting, bleeding, and purging muscles. Oral administration for acute gastroenteritis abdominal pain, cholera vomiting and diarrhea; topical hemostasis, wound ulcers, itching.

"Guangxi Chinese herbal medicine": scattered stasis and swelling, hemostasis, pain, insecticide and itching.

Dosage

Topical application: Pounding or roasting the leaves and rubbing the affected area. Oral: 2-3 pieces of fresh leaves (with petiole removed), smash for juice and decoction.

Precautions

"Common Atlas of Chinese Herbal Medicine": This plant is poisonous and should be used with caution when taken orally.

Clinical prescription

Treatment of bruises, trauma and bleeding: appropriate amount of fresh leprosy leaves, smash the affected area. ("Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine")

Treatment of skin itching and eczema: Fresh leprosy leaves, heat on fire until the leaves are soft and rub and rub the affected area. ("Guangxi Chinese Herbal Medicine")

Treatment of various types of fractures: Xiaotong in fresh skin or leaves, with copper hammer grass, acanthopanax senticosus, pepper smashing grains, wine fried external application. ("Selection of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Simao, Yunnan") ^[5]