Homestay in Himalayas: Lesson of survival in Nature

 

Boiled bamboo shoot 

INTRODUCTION: 

VISITING Himalayan Homestay add another important dimension of experience in life. Himalayas are rich in  flora and fauna. Many types of plants can be found in Himalayan region to be used for various purposes in life. They were the means of life support to the indigenous people mostly relying in nature for life sustenance.

 

Organic and Natural Food:

Many edible plants are also widely found in the Nepal and in the Himalayas of India. Nowadays high use of fertilizers and chemicals on vegetable had brought many health issues throughout world. Therefore, the importance of wild vegetable rose up as it is pure organic and has unparalleled  medicinal  benefits as it is rich in many macro and micro nutrients and other important phytochemical for healing health elements. Himalayan state are  popular for its organic stuff and plenty of wild and natural foods.  Many wild vegetables are still a prominent part of  traditional food of Himalayan indigenous people.

Local Life and Cultural Experiences: 

Here you just visit Himalayan rural homestay, wherein you will learn and enjoy lots of natural recipes out of local natural and wild stuffs depending up on the seasons you visit. Almost all homestay located at Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and other north-eastern state of India can gives you this life time unforgettable movement of local life and  cultural exposure. you will learn the lesson of survival in nature. 

1.  Bamboo Shoots

Ask for Bamboo shoots receipes if you are visiting homestay in Himalayas during July and August. There are varieties of bamboos found in Sikkim and its peripheral Himalayan state. Bamboos are used in many purposes. People here believe that bamboo is used from cradle to funeral procession.  Bamboo is also used in making many household products and are  very popular in Himalayan region for its multiple usages. 

 The shoots of bamboo are used as vegetables in Sikkim. Bamboo shoots is said to have many health benefits as it have very low fat are rich source of carbohydrate, protein, vitamin, fiber, amino acid and minerals.

There are many edible bamboo shoots found in North-Eastern states of India. Intake of raw bamboo shoots causes serious health problem as it contain high toxic.

Some Edible Bamboo Shoots found in Sikkim are;

-          Parang Bans

-          Bhalu Bans

-          Choya Bans

-          Malingo Bans

-          Sanu Maling

-          Karanati Bans

-          Gope Bans

-          Tokri Bans

-          Kalo Nigalo

-          Singhani Bans

-          Kata Bans

Bamboo Shoots are beneficial for Hypertension, Thyroid, Obesity, Diabetic and many more. It also helps in regulating blood sugar level and in treatment of antifungal cancer disease.

There are varieties of bamboo found but only shoots of some are said to be edible. One should never consume raw bamboo shoot without boiling or cooking as it contains high toxic.Bamboo shoots starts appearing on the month of April-May and July-August and is harvested 16-17 days from emerging.

Food products of Bamboo shoot

·         Cook vegetable.

·         handmade pickles.

Products like

 Dhiri – Use in making butter milk.

Dhungro - Use in conserving curd.

Chim – Use in fencing house

Tumba – Use for drinking jaar which is local alcoholic drink of tribal people.

Nanglo – Use for winnowing rice and pulces.

Flute - Use as Musical instrument.

Furlung – Use for storage.

Namlo – Use for carrying grass for animals.

Damlo – Use for tying animals on shed.

Doko – Use for carrying grass and firewood.

And are also use in making small containers and house decorating products.

1. 2.   Simrayo (Water Grass)

You can enjoy naturally grown water grass curry almost round the year in your homestay provided some homestay at dried and arid zone may not offer you this.  Himalaya  is place surrounded by many wild  edible plants and grasses. Simrayo is one of the  wild vegetables germinated on wet land. It is found in every season. It is Dark green in color and only steam and leaves are edible. Simrayo is very beneficial for health as it prevent heart disease, regulate blood pressure, control diabetes and help build the strong bones. It also helps in diseases like beri beri, Night blindness, eyesight problems and many more. Simrayo is high source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, minerals and is rich is antioxidant and Beta carotene. 

2.    3.  Mushroom

There are varieties of mushroom found in Sikkim. Mushroom is said to be very healthy food and are rich source of nutrients. Mushroom is a family of fungi. There are varieties of mushroom but only some are edible. It is very difficult to recognize edible mushroom and poisonous mushroom. Edible mushroom are rich source of nutrient and come under a healthy diet.

There are many edible wild mushroom found in Sikkim. In Sikkim it is the main vegetable of vegetarian group. Mushrooms are mostly eaten by vegetarian in Sikkim. Mushroom can be mixed with any vegetables and can add in any food. People also cultivate mushroom on their own house. Mushrooms have less amount of calorie and high amount of macro nutrients like Vitamin D, vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6. Vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, potassium and micro nutrient like Iron, Zinc and Boron. It also have an antioxidant properties. Mushroom are good for heart, skin, bone, digestive system, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar.

3.    4.   Ninguro: Fern 

This fern is avilablle in almost all the strata of homestay in Himalayas. Huge number of fern species are found in the Himalayan zone ranging from tropical to subtropical forest.  Fern are present everywhere. There are varieties of fern found in Sikkim and its peripheral Himalayan state . Some ferns are given to animals, some are used in gardens and some are edible ferns used as vegetable.

Sikkim people called edible fern  "Ninguru". Ninguru is also a traditional food of Sikkim and liked by many visitors visiting Sikkim. It is a wild vegetable; people in Sikkim used to take  Ninguru in many ways. Ninguru with churpi (home made cheese) is famous all over Sikkim as a traditional dish.

There are many types of Ninguru like

-          Kali niguru

-          Sati niguru

-          Tite niguru

-          Sawne niguru

-          Diwale Niguru

-          Kanchi Niguru

-          Rukh Niguru.

Ninguru are a good source of Omega 3 and omega 6fatty acid and are high source of iron and fiber.

Ningura are eaten in many ways by Sikkim people like mimguru with churpi and ninguru with curd etc.

Ninguru contain calories, carbohydrate. Protein and is also good source of vitamin C, niacin and potassium. It also contain Beta carotene.

4.  5.  Nakima

Nakima locally known as Nakimboo also  are very beneficial  for health and has become a very popular wild vegetable in local market . Nakimbo is a wild flowering vegetable with purple color. It has bitter taste and contains lots of nutrients. It is very beneficial for people having gastric and anxiety. It also helps to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar. Nakimbo is added to other vegetables and it is the best choice to add with pork and mutton. Nakimbo are found in medium to  high altitude region in the month of  Sep-Oct. It is a seasonal vegetable and is very expensive as it cost 600 per kg.  Handmade pickle of Nakimbo is very fascinating in taste. Do not forget to ask your Nakima receipes if you are visiting homestay in Himalayas during September and November of the year.

5.    6.   Totala: (Midnight Horror)

Totala (Oroxylum Indicum) also known as Lepcha Tree is one of the seasonal wild vegetable with bitter taste and tons of benefits. It is one of the best diets for people with high blood pressure and blood sugar. It can also be given to people having food poisoning, internal bleeding and bone pain. It can also be applied if someone got cuts in any part of body in emergency, it can immediately stop bleeding and can prevent serious cause. It is the best choice of vegetable for liver and people suffering from obesity and jaundice. It also has an antioxidant property and can be given to people suffering from fiver and cold instead of giving antibiotics. Totala is a flowering tree which bloom and fall in  night. Village’s people get early morning in around 4am to collect fallen flower. Totala seeds are naturally covered with feather like structure which falls on Sep-Oct. Buddhism has strong connection with seeds of Totala. They use it on their puja’s, on time of birth and even on funeral. In Sikkim people use this seeds as button flower on any celebration. flower or seeds can be directly plucked from tree, people should wait until it falls on land. Totala flower are found only in June-July, people dry and conserve it so that it can be eaten on other seasons.  fresh or dried flower  are also given to animals when they suffer from any diseases. Its  flowers are very expensive and  it cost 10-15 per piece. On its season village people collect Totala and make garland of 3-4 flowers and keep for sale in roadside vegetable shops.

End Note:

From the experience of wild vegetables to the pure and natural taste of organic food this could be your reason why you make your next trip plan to lap of Himalayas and take your shelter at homestay. Enjoy the medicinal values of wild stuff here with your host. 

 

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