Asafoetida Benefits of Health

Asafoetida (Hing)

Asafoetida (Hing)/Ferula asafoetida Family: Umbelliferae

Raw Asafoetida

Asafoetida or commonly called as Hing is originated from the stem and tap roots of ferula species as a dried latex consisting of pungent odour. Due to its really distinct smell it has various names such as Devil’s dung, Food of the gods, stinking gum, giant fennel etc. It is a dried resin mainly greyish-white coloured with some tint of red, yellow and brown. Generally asafoetida is found as a solid block or in small pieces. It is quite difficult to break these chunks down thus is done using a hammer between the stones to obtain a fine powder which is generally yellow coloured, also at times is seen in crystalline form.

Asafoetida Plant, Flower & Seed

The raw asafoetida comprises of a very vile, unpleasant aroma and taste but when it is cooked along with the vegetables, it transfers the food into a tasty one. Asafoetida is the oldest spices to be used much frequently in the Indian kitchen for adding a distinct favour to the subzi and as in house medicine. Most of the Indian subzi’s are done with the addition of asafoetida. It is widely used in flavouring pickles as well.

This specie is mainly found in Afghanistan and Iran, although it is also grown in Kashmir, India. It grows in the natural forest as a perennial plant consisting of about 2-3 meters height with tiny leaves and yellow flowers.

The whole parts of the plant have typical fetid smell.

Asafoetida Powder

Asafoetida has varied medicinal properties for which it is commonly used in all Indian household. It is a very good combination of culinary and medicinal use of a plant with its regular use in preparing subzis and in flavouring pickles. It has diverse uses such as an aid for digestion, a remedy for headaches, an antidote, and an expectorant. Asafoetida is highly recommended for respiratory problems such as whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. As an expectorant, the oil of this resinous gum helps the body to get rid of excess mucus and eases the respiratory system. There are certain mixtures that seem to work well for coughs and as expectorants are roasted fresh resinous gum powders with real ghee or a mixture of asafoetida powder with honey, dry ginger, betel nut juice and white onion juice. Also it exerts a convincing anti-helmintics action against roundworms and pinworms. It works perfectly on gas and the bloating with an additional use in easing indigestion, constipation and stomach cramps.

For the headaches, asafoetida is mixed with water is use which has shown quite good results for the treatment of tension headache and migraines.

Also works as an antidote for snake bites and as an insect repellent when

mixed with garlic. It is also a good remedy for tooth aches. These are home remedies and may vary from person to person.

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