Botanical Name: Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Introduction:

It is native to Brazil, cultivated as an ornamental.

Names in different Indian languages

English	Tua-Tua, Bellyache bush, cotton leaf,
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam	Chuvana kadalavannakk, adala
Sanskrit	Rakta-Vyaaghrairanda
Tamil	Adala, atalai, Stalai
Telugu
Unani
Folk	Laal Bagharenda

Synonyms

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

Morphology

Soft wooded shrub, grows 2-3 m height.

Leaves – simple, alternate, long petiole, leaf are 3 digitated.

Flower – reddish.

Fruit – globose

Distribution & Habitat

All over India

Chemical constituents:

diterpenes, jatropholone A and jatrophatrione

Karma –

purgative, emetic

Indication:

Malaria, scabies, ringworm, eczema

Part used:

Root, leaves, seed , seed oil

Dosage:

2-4 g powder

Internal uses:

Digestive system:

Purgative, emetic

Therapeutic Uses:

Seeds useful in constipation