TOOTHACHE TREE |TIMUR : टिमुर|

Scientific Name: Zanthoxylum armatum

Family: Rutaceace

Common Names: Toothache tree, Prickly ash(English), Timur (Nepali)

Altitude:1500-2400 m east to west (in Nepal)

Season: April-May

Parts used: Seeds and bark 

Zanthoxylum armatum

Description:    

Timur is an aromatic, deciduous prickly shrub incurved with reddish brown prickles growing upto 4m in height. It is a plant with high environmental tolerance from temperate to tropical zones. Timur is generally gathered from the wild to use as condiment or medicine. Sometimes it is cultivated and can also be grown as hedge.

Timur product

Uses:

a)Edible uses: 

•  The seeds are ground into powder and used as condiment hence popularly known as Nepali Pepper.   
• The young leaves and peel of the fruits are used as culinary spice and flavoring agent in foods.

b)Medicinal uses:

• The aromatic seeds and bark are used as tonic in in fever, dyspepsia and cholera (Ref.). 
• The fruits are used as remedy for toothache.
• The powered seeds are eaten to get rid of roundworm.
• The fruits, branches and thorns are considered as carminative and stomachic.(Ref.book:Plants and people of Nepal, Manandhar N.P)

c) Other uses:

• Dried seeds contain essential oils.(Ref)
• The bark is pungent.
• Toothbrushes are made from its branches.
• Bark is used as insect repellant(Ref.)