Jatropha gossypiifolia

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Jatropha gossypiifolia
Bellyache Bush (Jatropha gossipifolia) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 9473.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Jatropha
Species:
J. gossypiifolia
Binomial name
Jatropha gossypiifolia

Jatropha gossypiifolia, commonly known as bellyache bush, black physicnut or cotton-leaf physicnut, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. [2] The species is native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean islands, but is currently spread throughout the tropics. [3] It is declared noxious weed in Puerto Rico and is naturalised in northern Australia, including Queensland where it is listed as a Class 2 declared pest plant. [2] [4] It grows to 2.5–4 m (8.2–13.1 ft) high. The three lobed leaves are purple and sticky when young and become bright green with age. The small red flowers with yellow centres appear in clusters. These are followed by cherry-sized seed pods that are poisonous. [4] Powdery mildew fungal disease was reported. [5]

Contents

There are many common names for Jatropha gossypiifolia including: bellyache-bush, black physicnut, and cotton-leaf physicnut in English; pinon negro, pinon colorado, and tua-tua in Spanish; medicinier noir and medicinier rouge in French; mamoninha and peao-roxo in Brazil; jarak ulung in Thailand, jarak merah and sibidigua in India. [6]

Меdicinal use

Several human and veterinary uses in traditional medicine are described for different parts (leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and latex) and preparations (infusion, decoction, and maceration, among others) based on this plant, by different routes (oral or topical). The most frequent reports concern its antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antiophidian, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, healing, antianemic, antidiabetic, and antihemorrhagic activities, among many other examples. Other uses are also related to this plant, such as biodiesel production, pesticide, insecticide, vermifuge, ornamentation, and even its use in religious rituals. [7]

The American Instructor, a reference book written by Benjamin Franklin, states it can be used as an abortion tonic, along with pennyroyal: [8] [9] [10]

Now I am upon Female Infirmities, it will not be unreasonable to touch upon a common Complaint among unmarried women, namely The Suppression of the Courses. This don't only disparage their Complexions, but fills them besides with sundry Disorders. For this Misfortune, you must purge with Highland Flagg (commonly called Belly ach Root) a Week before you expect to be out of Order ; and repeat the same two Days after: the next Morning drink a Quarter of a Pint of Pennyroyal Water, or Decoction, and as much again at Night when you go to Bed. Continue this 9 Days running ; and after resting 3 Days, go on with it for 9 more. Ride out every fair Day, stir nimbly about your Affairs, and breathe as much as possible in the open Air.

George Fisher, Anne Fisher (pub. Benjamin Franklin and D. Hall), The American Instructor, Or, Young Man's Best Companion (1758)

The herb has been traditionally used as an oral contraceptive and abortifacient, and ethanol extracts have effectiveness in reducing fertility in rats. [11] though the identity of the chemicals responsible for endocrine disruption are not yet known.

Economic importance

Related Research Articles

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Mentha pulegium, commonly (European) pennyroyal, or pennyrile, also called mosquito plant and pudding grass, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Crushed pennyroyal leaves emit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy, emmenagogue, abortifacient, and culinary herb, but is toxic to the liver and has caused some deaths. European pennyroyal is related to an American species, Hedeoma pulegioides. Though they differ in genera, they share similar chemical properties.

<i>Glechoma hederacea</i> Plant species in the mint family

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<i>Jatropha</i> Genus of flowering plants in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Jatropha is a genus of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words ἰατρός (iatros), meaning "physician", and τροφή (trophe), meaning "nutrition", hence the common name physic nut. Another common name is nettlespurge. It contains approximately 170 species of succulent plants, shrubs and trees. Most of these are native to the Americas, with 66 species found in the Old World. Plants produce separate male and female flowers. As with many members of the family Euphorbiaceae, Jatropha contains compounds that are highly toxic. Jatropha species have traditionally been used in basketmaking, tanning and dye production. In the 2000s, one species, Jatropha curcas, generated interest as an oil crop for biodiesel production and also medicinal importance when used as lamp oil; native Mexicans in the Veracruz area developed by selective breeding a Jatropha curcas variant lacking the toxic compounds, yielding a better income when used as source for biodiesel, because of its edible byproduct. Toxicity may return if edible Jatropha is pollinated by toxic types.

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<i>Jatropha curcas</i> Species of plant

Jatropha curcas is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to the American tropics, most likely Mexico and Central America. It is originally native to the tropical areas of the Americas from Mexico to Argentina, and has been spread throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, becoming naturalized or invasive in many areas. The specific epithet, "curcas", was first used by Portuguese doc Garcia de Orta more than 400 years ago. Common names in English include physic nut, Barbados nut, poison nut, bubble bush or purging nut. In parts of Africa and areas in Asia such as India it is often known as "castor oil plant" or "hedge castor oil plant", but it is not the same as the usual castor oil plant, Ricinus communis.

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<i>Alstonia scholaris</i> Species of tree

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphorbiaceae</span> Family of Eudicot flowering plants

Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of the type genus of the family. Most spurges, such as Euphorbia paralias, are herbs, but some, especially in the tropics, are shrubs or trees, such as Hevea brasiliensis. Some, such as Euphorbia canariensis, are succulent and resemble cacti because of convergent evolution. This family has a cosmopolitan global distribution. The greatest diversity of species is in the tropics; however, the Euphorbiaceae also have many species in nontropical areas of all continents except Antarctica.

<i>Solanum erianthum</i> Species of plant

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<i>Margaritaria discoidea</i> Species of tree

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<i>Jatropha dioica</i> Species of succulent

Jatropha dioica is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to Texas in the United States as well as Mexico as far south as Oaxaca. Common names include leatherstem and sangre de drago. The specific name refers to the dioecious nature of the plants.

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<i>Ceratotheca sesamoides</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceratotheca sesamoides is an annual flowering plant in the genus Ceratotheca. It is indigenous to Africa, and grows both as a wild and locally-cultivated species, and is colloquially referred to as false sesame owing to its marked similarities with common sesame. The plant is most commonly cultivated in the African savannah and other semi-arid areas on the continent, and is found across Africa in both tropical and sub-tropical latitudes, usually growing in sandier soils south of the Sahara. It can be identified by numerous hairs on the stem; its pinkish flowers, often showing brown and purple markings; and a sub-erect growth habit. The leaves and flowers are often consumed as a vegetable or used in sauces. The leaves are thought to have medicinal properties, while the seeds can be used to produce cooking oil. Despite its many uses and increasing domestication at a local level, the plant remains predominantly underused and undervalued.

<i>Beyeria lechenaultii</i> Species of flowering plants

Beyeria lechenaultii is a species of dioecious flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is endemic to Australia.

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References

  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI); IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Jatropha gossypiifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T18435590A148992608. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T18435590A148992608.en . Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Jatropha gossypiifolia". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  3. "Jatropha gossypiifolia, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens".
  4. 1 2 "Bellyache bush". Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  5. Reddy, J. Raghava; Reddy, A. Purnachandra (1980). "Erysiphe euphorbiae sp. nov. on Jatropha gossypifolia L.". Current Microbiology. 4 (2): 95. doi:10.1007/BF02602900. S2CID   40290738.
  6. "Jatropha gossypiifolia (bellyache bush)". www.cabi.org. Retrieved 2017-10-13.
  7. Félix-Silva, Juliana; Giordani, Raquel Brandt; Silva-Jr, Arnóbio Antonio da; Zucolotto, Silvana Maria; Fernandes-Pedrosa, Matheus de Freitas (2014). "Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae): A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of This Medicinal Plant". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014: 369204. doi: 10.1155/2014/369204 . ISSN   1741-427X. PMC   4070477 . PMID   25002902.
  8. Farrel, Molly (2022-05-05). "Ben Franklin Put an Abortion Recipe in His Math Textbook". Slate.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Ibrahim, Nur (2022-05-16). "Did Ben Franklin Publish a Recipe in a Math Textbook on How to Induce Abortion?". Snopes.
  10. Feng, Emily (2022-05-18). "Benjamin Franklin gave instructions on at-home abortions in a book in the 1700s". npr.org.
  11. Jain, Sachin; Choudhary, Gajendra Pratap; Jain,Dinesh Kumar (2013). "Pharmacological Evaluation and Antifertility Activity of Jatropha gossypifolia in Rats". BioMed Research International. 2013: 125980. doi: 10.1155/2013/125980 . PMC   3816027 . PMID   24222894.