Tirphal / तिरफळ / Japanese Pepper / Zanthoxylum piperitum

OOO_Farms_Wild_Food_Tirphal

Other Names

  • Local Name: Tirphal / तिरफळ
  • Common Name: Japanese Pepper
  • Botanical Name: Zanthoxylum piperitum

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Cultivable
  • Habitat: Tree
  • Occurrence: Forests, Farm bunds, Hilly areas
  • Season of Availability: Spring and summer
  • Geography: Japan and Korea
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruits
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes
  • Ripe: N/A
  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: In excess amounts
  • As Food: Ground and used as a spice; unripe fruit is boiled and eaten; flower is pickled and eaten.
  • As Medicine: Seed husks can be used to treat asthma, kidney and bladder issues and indigestion.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Yes
  • Pickling: Yes
  • Brining: Yes
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: Yes
  • Overall Method: Young leaves can be eaten raw or lightly cooked; seed husk can be ground and eaten; fruit and flowers can be pickled.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Contains alkaloids.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Antifungal, Anti-bacterial, Aids in stomach issues, internal parasites

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Seed husks can be used to treat asthma, kidney and bladder issues and indigestion.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Dry-roast seeds and fruits then grind and mix with salt to make a condiment.

Image Gallery

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