Description

Tomar Beej — the seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum, the winged prickly ash — are derived from a small to medium, thorny, deciduous tree of the family Rutaceae, native to the temperate Himalayan foothills of India, Nepal, and China at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 metres. The tree is closely related to Zanthoxylum alatum (also known as Tejbal) and may represent the same or closely allied species depending on the botanical treatment applied. The seeds carry characteristic numbing, tingling, and aromatic properties from alkylamide compounds (hydroxy-alpha-sanshool derivatives). In classical Ayurvedic texts, Tomara seeds are documented in preparations for dental pain, intestinal parasites, and digestive complaints. The seeds also serve as a flavouring spice in Nepali cuisine (timur) and in Sichuan-style cooking across the Himalayan food belt.