Jatropha Poisoning in Children: Seeds, Signs and First Aid
Jatropha poisoning happens when children eat the seeds of Jatropha curcas (physic nut, jungli arandi), which look and taste like a harmless nut. Vomiting usually starts within 1 to 4 hours, often in several children at once because they shared the seeds. Most recover with hospital fluids within a day or two, but every child who ate the seeds needs to be checked.
In brief
- Plant: Jatropha curcas, called physic nut, purging nut, jungli arandi or safed arand; sometimes “ratanjot” in parts of India.
- Not the same as: ratanjot dye root (alkanet) used to colour rogan josh. Different plant entirely; see our alkanet ratanjot guide.
- Where it grows: hedges, roadside fences, school boundaries, biodiesel plantations.
- Danger part: the seeds inside the yellow to black fruit; the milky sap irritates skin.
- Main signs: repeated vomiting, tummy pain, diarrhoea, dizziness.
- First step: take all the children who ate them to hospital, with a sample.
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Why do children eat jatropha seeds?
The seeds are black, oval, about the size of a large bean, with a white, oily kernel that tastes mildly nutty and pleasant. Nothing warns a child off. One child cracks a few open on the way home from school, the others share, and within hours a whole group is vomiting.
That exact pattern was reported in the Philippines in 2023, where ten schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 fell ill 1 to 4 hours after eating the seeds; all vomited and all recovered within 3 days. A French poison centre review of 24 cases found stomach symptoms in every patient within the first hours, with full recovery within 48 hours in those whose outcome was known.
How to spot the plant on the school wall
Jatropha is a stiff shrub with broad, heart shaped leaves that have 3 to 5 shallow lobes, green round fruits that turn yellow then black, and white milky sap when you snap a leaf. Each fruit splits into three seeds. If it grows along a school or playground fence, ask the school to cut the fruits before they ripen, or replace the hedge.
What are jatropha poisoning symptoms?
- Nausea and repeated vomiting, often the first and most common sign.
- Tummy pain and cramping.
- Diarrhoea.
- Dizziness, headache, a burning feeling in the mouth or throat.
- Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, very little urine, sunken eyes, drowsiness.
Severe cases with fits, very low blood pressure or kidney problems have been described, usually as complications of heavy fluid loss. Small children dehydrate faster than older ones, so a toddler who ate even one seed needs closer watching.
Jatropha seeds: first aid, step by step
- Find out who ate them. Ask every child in the group, not just the one who is sick.
- Clear the mouth of any seed pieces. Do not make anyone vomit; they will usually vomit on their own.
- Don’t give milk, oil, salt water or home remedies.
- Small sips of ORS are fine while you travel if the child is awake and not vomiting constantly.
- Go to the nearest hospital emergency. Take a fruit, seed or leafy twig for identification.
- Tell staff: “Jatropha curcas, physic nut seeds”, how many, and when.
- Expect fluids by drip if vomiting is heavy, and monitoring for a few hours to a day.
Our general guide to what to do if a child swallows something harmful covers the calls and questions that apply to any poisoning.
Is jatropha the same as ratanjot used in cooking?
No, and the shared name causes real confusion. In some Indian regions, jatropha is called ratanjot. In Pakistani and North Indian kitchens, ratanjot usually means the dried purple root of alkanet, used for colour in Kashmiri dishes and hair oils. That root is a different plant with its own cautions. If someone hands you “ratanjot seeds”, they are not alkanet. Alkanet is sold as root bark, never as seeds.
Is the jatropha plant poisonous to touch?
The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, so wear gloves when cutting it and keep sap away from the face. Rinse skin with soap and water. If sap gets in an eye, rinse with running water for 15 minutes and see a doctor. Leaves and bark are also considered toxic if eaten. Jatropha oil pressed for biodiesel is not food and should never be used for cooking or massage on children.
What should schools and parents do?
- Teach children one plain rule: no seeds or nuts from hedges, roadsides or trees unless an adult knows them.
- Remove jatropha from school and playground fences, or strip ripening fruits regularly.
- Bag and bin pruned fruits; don’t leave them where children or goats can reach.
- Keep a phone list with the nearest hospital emergency and a poison centre number.
Other common garden plants that are dangerous to children, such as kaner and castor, are listed in our poisonous plants guide.
A child has eaten any jatropha seed, even if they feel fine now: symptoms often start within a few hours. Go urgently if there is vomiting that won’t stop, blood in vomit or stool, no urine for 6 hours or more, drowsiness, confusion or fits. Babies and toddlers should be seen after any seed, however small. Adults who ate several seeds need care too. Never wait at home to see if it settles in a young child.
Jatropha seed questions
Are jatropha seeds poisonous?
Yes. Eating them causes vomiting, tummy pain and diarrhoea within hours, and children are affected most often.
How many jatropha seeds are dangerous?
There is no safe number for children. Even a few seeds have caused hospital visits, so any amount needs a medical check.
How long do jatropha poisoning symptoms last?
Most people recover within 24 to 48 hours with fluids and care. Some children stay unwell for up to 3 days.
What does a jatropha seed look like?
A black oval seed about the size of a large bean, three to a fruit, with a white oily kernel inside.
Is physic nut the same as jatropha?
Yes. Physic nut and purging nut are English names for Jatropha curcas.
Can roasting make jatropha seeds safe to eat?
No. Roasting does not reliably make the common jatropha safe. Treat the seeds as inedible.
Is jatropha sap harmful?
It can irritate skin and eyes. Wash it off with soap and water and rinse eyes well.
Is jatropha poisonous to goats and dogs?
Yes, animals can be poisoned by seeds and leaves too. Call a vet if a pet or goat eats them.
More plant safety guides live in our Phool aur Paudhe section.