Jatropha is a plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, which is also known as the physic nut. The plant is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. There are various synonyms for the word jatropha, such as Barbados nut, purging nut, and physic nut. The plant is also called rat poison tree, as it produces a poisonous seed that is used to kill rodents. In some countries, jatropha is known as "tuba-tuba," which means "oil plant." The oil extracted from jatropha seeds is used to produce biofuel, which has gained popularity due to its lower carbon emissions. In some regions, jatropha is also used for medicinal purposes to treat various ailments such as fever, constipation, and skin infections.