Jatropha
a genus of Euphoribiaceæ, tribe Crotonex. The seeds of J. glandulifera yield an oil highly esteemed as a stimulant application in rheumatism and paralysis. Taken internally, they are violently purgative, irritant, and poisonous. Those of J. multifida are also purgative, emetic, and poisonous.
The expressed oil of J. glauca is used in India as an external application in chronic rheumatism and paralysis; the root of J. officinalis is given in Brazil in syphilis.