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Exploring the Cultural Significance, Medicinal Properties, and Agricultural Practice Achievements of Timiz (Piper capense) in Ethiopia

Received: 11 September 2024     Accepted: 15 October 2024     Published: 11 November 2024
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Abstract

Piper capense, widely known as Timiz, is an important spice from the Piperaceae family, native to East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia’s southwestern areas. Traditionally used for a myriad of health issues, Timiz holds a significant place in Ethiopian cuisine, embodying cultural traditions. The plant is distinctive in its morphology, with "timiz" in Amharic indicating its curly form. The flavor profile of Timiz is notably unique, exhibiting a milder and sweeter taste that is reminiscent of cloves and cardamom, which enhances its culinary versatility. Typically, the harvested and dried seed spikes are appreciated for their aromatic properties, which are further enhanced through traditional smoking methods. This review explores the traditional medicinal uses of Timiz, relying on ethnobotanical data that illustrate its employment among various African communities for treating ailments like digestive issues, respiratory infections, and other health problems. The results of research on the collection, conservation of accessions, agronomic practices such as watering frequency and media types, as well as propagation methods, are also highlighted. Furthermore, the review identifies challenges within the value chain, such as a lack of awareness regarding processing methods and quality control, stressing the necessity for improved practices to boost Timiz's marketability. Future directions for research, production, and market integration of Timiz in Ethiopia are also discussed, underscoring the multifaceted significance of this spice in Ethiopian culture and medicine while advocating for sustainable agricultural methods to support its cultivation and conservation.

Published in Modern Chemistry (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12
Page(s) 60-74
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ethiopia, Future Research Direction, Importance, Piper Capense, Threats, Timiz

References
[1] Brice E. N. W, Paramita G., Armelle T. M., Sayantan B., Mitra D., Saha D., Mustafi M. S., Victor K., Nabendu M., 2021. Botanical from Piper capense Fruit Can Help to Combat the Melanoma as Demonstrated by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies; Hindawi Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2021: 1-15.
[2] Purseglove JW, Brown EG, Green CL. and Robins, SRJ. 1981. Spices: Volumes 1 and 2. Longman Group Limited, London.
[3] Borget, M. 1993. Spice Plants. The Tropical Agriculturalist. CTA, Macmillan, London.
[4] Pruthi, JS. 1998. Major Spices of India Crop management postharvest technology (reprinted), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India
[5] Kuete, V., Krusche, B., Youns, M., Voukeng, I., Fankam, A. G., Tankeo, S., Lacmata, S., Efferth, T. Cytotoxicity of some Cameroonian spices and selected medicinal plant extracts. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2011, 134, 803–812;
[6] Kuete, V.; Sandjo, L. P.; Wiench, B.; Efferth, T. Cytotoxicity and modes of action of four Cameroonian dietary spices ethno-medically used to treat cancers: Echinops giganteus, Xylopia aethiopica, Imperata cylindrica and Piper capense. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013, 149, 245–253.;
[7] Chahal, J., Ohlyan, R., Kandale, A., Walia, A., Puri, S. Introduction, phytochemistry, traditional uses and biological activity of genus Piper: A review. Int. J. Curr. Pharm. Rev. Res. 2011, 2, 130–144.
[8] Kaou, A. M., Mahiou-Leddet, V., Canlet, C., Debrauwer, L., Hutter, S., Azas, N., Ollivier, E. New amide alkaloid from the aerial part of Piper capense L. f. (Piperaceae). Fitoterapia 2010, 81, 632–635.
[9] Tekwu, E. M., Askun, T., Kuete, V., Nkengfack, A. E., Nyasse, B., Etoa, F. X., Beng, V. P. Antibacterial activity of selected Cameroonian dietary spices ethno-medically used against strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2012, 142, 374–382;
[10] Fern, K., Fern, A., Morris, R. Useful Tropical Plants Database. Available online:
[11] Edward S, Tadesse M, Demissew S, Hedberg I, 2000. Flora of Ethiopia & Eritrea, Volume 2, part 1, Magnoliace to flacourtiace. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia-Uppsala, Sweden. National Herbarium (Ethiopia), p 59-64.
[12] Marion Avril, 2008. A study case on Timiz (Piper Capense) in Ethiopia; October p1-62.
[13] Martins. P. B, Salgueiro. L,2000: Essentials oils from four Piper species. Cited in website of Direct Science
[14] Esquinas-Alcazar, J. T. T. 1987. Plant Genetic Resources: a base for food security. Ceres, The FAO Review 118: 39-45.
[15] EIAR. 2008. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. Root and Tuber Crops: The Untapped Resources. Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[16] 16] Alemnew Muchie, 2021. Current Status of Spice Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization in Ethiopia: A Review International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management2021; 6(4): 163-170
[17] Tepi Agricultural Research Center, 2022. Progress Report, EIAR
[18] Gebreslassie Hailu and Mohammedsani Zakir, 2021. Effect of Rooting Media, Cutting Types and Watering Frequency on Dry Matter Production of Long Pepper (Piper cappense) at Jimma. International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS), 7(4): 19-26,
[19] Gebreslassie Hailu, 2021a. Effect of Rooting Media, Cutting Types and Watering Frequency on Root Parameters of Long Pepper (Piper cappense) at Jimma. Int. J. Curr. Res. Aca. Rev. 9(2), 1-12.
[20] Gebreslassie Hailu. 2021b. Effect of Rooting Media, Cutting Types and Watering Frequency on Shoot Parameters of Long Pepper (Piper cappense) at Jimma. Int. J. Curr. Res. Aca. Rev. 9(2), 13-25.
[21] Edossa E., 1998a. Recommendation for spices production in humid areas of Ethiopia in Beyene s, Abera D (eds) Agricultural Research and Technology transfer Attempts and achievements in western Ethiopia proceeding of the 3rd Technology Generation Transfer and Gap analysis of workshop, Nekemt Ethiopia, PP 47-58.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Shehasen, M. Z. (2024). Exploring the Cultural Significance, Medicinal Properties, and Agricultural Practice Achievements of Timiz (Piper capense) in Ethiopia. Modern Chemistry, 12(3), 60-74. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12

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    ACS Style

    Shehasen, M. Z. Exploring the Cultural Significance, Medicinal Properties, and Agricultural Practice Achievements of Timiz (Piper capense) in Ethiopia. Mod. Chem. 2024, 12(3), 60-74. doi: 10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12

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    AMA Style

    Shehasen MZ. Exploring the Cultural Significance, Medicinal Properties, and Agricultural Practice Achievements of Timiz (Piper capense) in Ethiopia. Mod Chem. 2024;12(3):60-74. doi: 10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12,
      author = {Mohammedsani Zakir Shehasen},
      title = {Exploring the Cultural Significance, Medicinal Properties, and Agricultural Practice Achievements of Timiz (Piper capense) in Ethiopia
     },
      journal = {Modern Chemistry},
      volume = {12},
      number = {3},
      pages = {60-74},
      doi = {10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.mc.20241203.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.mc.20241203.12},
      abstract = {Piper capense, widely known as Timiz, is an important spice from the Piperaceae family, native to East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia’s southwestern areas. Traditionally used for a myriad of health issues, Timiz holds a significant place in Ethiopian cuisine, embodying cultural traditions. The plant is distinctive in its morphology, with "timiz" in Amharic indicating its curly form. The flavor profile of Timiz is notably unique, exhibiting a milder and sweeter taste that is reminiscent of cloves and cardamom, which enhances its culinary versatility. Typically, the harvested and dried seed spikes are appreciated for their aromatic properties, which are further enhanced through traditional smoking methods. This review explores the traditional medicinal uses of Timiz, relying on ethnobotanical data that illustrate its employment among various African communities for treating ailments like digestive issues, respiratory infections, and other health problems. The results of research on the collection, conservation of accessions, agronomic practices such as watering frequency and media types, as well as propagation methods, are also highlighted. Furthermore, the review identifies challenges within the value chain, such as a lack of awareness regarding processing methods and quality control, stressing the necessity for improved practices to boost Timiz's marketability. Future directions for research, production, and market integration of Timiz in Ethiopia are also discussed, underscoring the multifaceted significance of this spice in Ethiopian culture and medicine while advocating for sustainable agricultural methods to support its cultivation and conservation.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - Piper capense, widely known as Timiz, is an important spice from the Piperaceae family, native to East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia’s southwestern areas. Traditionally used for a myriad of health issues, Timiz holds a significant place in Ethiopian cuisine, embodying cultural traditions. The plant is distinctive in its morphology, with "timiz" in Amharic indicating its curly form. The flavor profile of Timiz is notably unique, exhibiting a milder and sweeter taste that is reminiscent of cloves and cardamom, which enhances its culinary versatility. Typically, the harvested and dried seed spikes are appreciated for their aromatic properties, which are further enhanced through traditional smoking methods. This review explores the traditional medicinal uses of Timiz, relying on ethnobotanical data that illustrate its employment among various African communities for treating ailments like digestive issues, respiratory infections, and other health problems. The results of research on the collection, conservation of accessions, agronomic practices such as watering frequency and media types, as well as propagation methods, are also highlighted. Furthermore, the review identifies challenges within the value chain, such as a lack of awareness regarding processing methods and quality control, stressing the necessity for improved practices to boost Timiz's marketability. Future directions for research, production, and market integration of Timiz in Ethiopia are also discussed, underscoring the multifaceted significance of this spice in Ethiopian culture and medicine while advocating for sustainable agricultural methods to support its cultivation and conservation.
    
    VL  - 12
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