Jatropha

This species of Jatropha can be easily identified by the reddish-brown leaves and the yellow viscid glands found on the leaf margins, petioles and stipules. The plant is placed in the milkweed family Euphorbiaceae. The shrub grows to a height of 0.9-1.8 metres and has palmately 3-5 lobed leaves. Small red flowers are seen in glandular corymbose cymes. The capsules are ovoid, 3-lobed and the seeds are small, greenish-brown and mildly dotted.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Promotes menstruation.
*Boils, eczema and itches.
*As an emetic, to induce vomiting.
*Good laxative.
*Fever.
*Sores on the tongue.

HOW TO USE:
*The decoction of the bark is used to promote menstruation.
*The paste of the leaves is applied over boils, eczema and itches.
*The seeds are sometimes used to induced vomiting.
*The infusion of the leaves and seeds make a good laxative.
*The leaves are boiled in water and this water is used for bathing to reduce fever.
*The juice of the leaves is used to cure sores on the tongue.

PARTS USED:
*The bark, leaves and seeds.

DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups