Timur Plant Myths and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya)

 Plant Myths and Traditions in Uttarakhand (Himalaya) -2

By: Bhishma Kukreti (Mythology Research Scholar)

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 English name – Prickly Ash, Sichuan pepper or Toothache Tree

Botanical name –Xanthoxylum armatum

                        Traditional Medical Uses

   Timur or toothache tree is a shrub and found from 1000 meter to 2000 meter height in Uttarakhand hills, Himalaya.

   People use the plant parts as toothbrush, medicines for toothache, fever, cough remedies and stomach ache. Bhotiya community had been using ‘Timur’ as , business barter medium and using for food (spices, soup) too. Bhotiya community is main community for saving the heritage of Timur for centuries.

 In old age and still today in small quantity, people used to sell the Timur stick to pilgrims as toothbrush.

              Mythological Uses in Narsing Rituals

     Timur is an auspicious plant and they use Timur stick for various religious rituals.

      In jagar, Timur stick is supposed to be beloved for deity Narsing (Narsing ki lath). People keep a Timur Stick in Narsing Thau  where nursing idols are kept in house).

        Sanyasi or sadhu also keeps Timur stick.

              Use of Timur Stick in Yagyopavit Rituals

                   The person that goes for taking Janeu (scarred thread) first time has to go for begging nearby houses and he has to take Timur stick with him for begging.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai 2017

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