Timur is known as an important magical plant because plant parts like leaves, stem, bark, fruits, seeds and roots possess medicinal properties and are used in indigenous medicine preparation against various diseases. The medicinal properties of plant have been described in different traditional health systems as Ayurveda, Unani, etc.In countries like Nepal, China, etc. a number of traditional uses have been mentioned since long and local people especially women are taking using of this plant. The Uttrakhand Bhotiya tribal community uses timur more than any other ethnic group in Uttarakhand due to its availability near their winter settlements. They use timur fruit in the form of condiments, spices and medicine.During winter, a soup made from the dried fruit (known as hag) is consumed by the entire family to keep warm. A chutney (like a sauce), locally known as dunkcha, is also a popular food item. The Bhotiya community also brew liquor from timur, but the resulting liquor is palatable only to those highly addicted. Most members of the community consider the tree to have religious significance and magical properties. Nearly all plant parts like root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds are used in traditional medicinal system.
Following are some of the traditional uses of various parts of plant.
Root: are used for relief in gums pain (hence it is also known as tooth ache tree) and also in snakebite,
Leaf: The tender leaves are even used as vegetable.
Stem: the young branches are very good source of tooth brushes and curing gum diseases and hard old branches are used as walking sticks. People purchase them local people when they go for pilgrimage.
Local people keep the sticks in their vehicles, house main doors to get rid of evil spirits
