Timur plant and products
In Nepal, there is a long tradition of collecting nontimber forest products as a source of income. Every year, thousands of tonnes of NTFPs are collected in the Middle Hills of Nepal and traded with India, including the fruits of timur (Zanthoxylum armatum). Timur is a branched, scandent, or erect shrub or a small tree, 6 m tall or more, with dense foliage. The branches are armed with thorns of up to 2 cm. The species naturally occurs as an understory species in forests and on open sites at altitudes between 1000 and 2100 m. According to farmers, timur grows best on sites with deep, moist soils that are also exposed to the sun. This is reflected in the occurrence of many timur shrubs or small trees around cultivated farmland. Farmers mention that the trees are mainly disseminated by birds, who like the fruits. During digestion, seeds are scarified, which stimulates germination. Timur can also be propagated vegetatively from branch cuttings or seeds. Timur flowers regularly around April to May and produces constant fruit yields over the years. However, hailstorms in spring can destroy the flowers.
Due to their carminative, stomachic, and anthelmintic properties, the fruits, seeds, and bark of timur are extensively used in indigenous medicines. The fruits and seeds are used as an aromatic tonic for fever and dyspepsia. An extract of the fruits is reported to be effective in expelling roundworms. Because of their deodorant, disinfectant, and antiseptic properties, the fruits are also used to treat dental problems, and their lotion is used against scabies. Steam distillation of dried fruits yields an essential oil that has deodorant and antiseptic properties; it is used in soaps and dental preparations. The oil obtained by steam distillation of the fresh plant shows antifungal activity. The bark is pungent and used to clean teeth.
Due to its appealing aroma and valuable perfume, timur is used in the manufacture of several healthcare products. Most of this manufacturing takes place in India, which therefore has a well-established commercial outlet for dried timur fruits. During the last two decades, the market price of timur has been increasing considerably. In 1980, traders who settled at the border with India paid Nepalese collectors 1.8 Nepalese rupees (NRs) per kilogram for dried timur. This price has continuously increased from NRs 9/kg in 1985 to NRs 22/kg in 1993 and NRs 45/kg in 1995. This increase was much higher than the rate of inflation. According to Nepal Rastra Bank (1994), from 1980 to 1994, the price index for consumer goods increased from 74.6 to 287.4 (base year 1983–1984). Whereas in 1980 the income from the sale of 1 kg of timur could be used to buy 1 kg of rice, in 1995 it could buy 3 kg of rice.
W. Hden Hertog and K. F. Wiersum “Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum) Production in Nepal,” Mountain Research and Development 20(2), 136-145, (1 May 2000). https://doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2000)020[0136:TZAPIN]2.0.CO;2