Himalayan Nepali Pepper:
Kurseong is not only famous for its beautiful tourist spots,
mesmerizing view,s, and Tea gardens but it is also rich in flora and fauna.
Travelers who are interested in learning about the natural resources and flora and fauna found in
the foothills of the Himalayan region then Kurseong (Land of White Orchids)
would also be a better place to acquire knowledge about different types of
natural medicinal plants. Talking about the different natural medicinal plants found in the Himalayan
region (Kurseong), Timur is one of the best natural medicinal plant found and grown
in the different parts of the Himalayan region (Kurseong, Darjeeling,
Kalimpong and Mirik). One can find it
flourishing almost everywhere, such as in the kitchen garden areas and also in
some parts of the farmlands. In the Himalayan region (Kurseong, Darjeeling,
Kalimpong and Mirik) people mostly use Timur (Nepali pepper) in the form of
spices and medicine. When the Timur (Nepali pepper) is fully ripened it is
plucked and kept in the wooden tray in direct sunlight to dry and preserve in
a small airtight container for future use. The water contained in the Timur
(Nepali pepper) evaporates with the heat of the sun. The pericarp opens
revealing a black seed. This drying phase lasts one week. Timur (Nepali pepper)
are then sorted by hand with the help of a flat round woven tray made up of
bamboo better known as Nanglo in the local language. The pericarp is separated from
the branches, leaves, thorns, and black seeds which give a bitter taste. Only
the very ripe Timur (Nepali pepper) is kept. It is also often used to prepare Aachar
(Pickles) and ate with the local food. In other words, the local people named
and call it’s as a Timur ko Aachar (local Nepali language). It is also widely
used in Asian and Indian Cuisines.
Description of Timur (Nepali Pepper):
Timur (Nepali pepper) is a shrub or a small tree usually armed with thrones, often
forming thickets. It is scientifically known as Zanthoxylum Armatum which
belongs to the family of Rutaceae which includes citrus and rue. It is an indigenous spice mostly found in the
warmer valley of the Himalayan region of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. When the
fruit is fully ripened it is usually reddish in color and 3-6 mm in diameter.
Timur (Nepali pepper) has a special aroma and flavor, which
does not taste spicy like a chili pepper or pungent like black pepper. When the Timur
fruit is chewed it creates a tingly numbness and anesthetic feeling on the tongue.
The Timur (Nepali pepper) is well grown in areas having moist soil and exposed directly to the sunlight. The harvesting
time of Timur (Nepali pepper) starts in the
month of mid – September and lasts about 3 weeks on average. Harvesting of Timur (Nepali pepper) is found to be tough and
inefficient as a result of its spines and thrones that decrease the per day
assortment. The Timur collectors customarily come off the branches or stem
particularly in open access so as to facilitate the gathering. And such lopping
off follow has negative effects on the plant and reduces the next fruit
production.
Uses Of Timur
(Nepali Pepper):
Timur (Nepali Pepper) is not only used
in flavoring in different types of traditional spices but also it is used for
various purposes such as traditional medicine to cure various common ailments
such as toothache, common cold, cough, and fever, as it is believed to give
warmth to the body. The fruits and seeds also used as an
aromatic tonic in fever, dyspepsia, carminative, stomachache, and expelling
roundworms. It is also considered an auspicious plant and the Timur (Nepali
Pepper) the stick is used for various religious rituals. Timur (Nepali Pepper) also
helps in purifying the blood and promote digestion due to its medicinal
properties. The entire parts of the plant are aromatic and hence, supposed to
possess essential oil. The essential oil is said to possess antiseptic,
disinfectant, and deodorant properties. In the Himalayan region, the local people
are using Timur (Nepali Pepper) for years for its unique aroma and flavor and
also for medicinal purposes. Not only the Timur (Nepali Pepper) has its
important for various purposes but it also plays an important role in the
local tradition and culture.
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