Botanical name - Ferula foetida, ferula northex
Indian name - Hing
Many types of asafoetida are famous. For example, Kandhari asafoetida, European asafoetida & Indian asafoetida (Heera asafoetida). Asafoetida is actually resinous gum of a tree, which is yellow in color and slightly beige.
Asafoetida has several varieties which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. It is grown in Iran and Afghanistan. The other species, known botanically as Ferula narthex, grow abundantly in Kashmir, Western Tibet and Afghanistan.
An anlysis of asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8 percent per 100 gms, moisture 16 percent, protein 4 percent, fat 1.1 percent, minerals 7 percent and fibre 4.1 percent. Its mineral and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 297.
It has a very strong smell. Fake asafoetida is often sold in the market. The aroma of real asafoetida can be smelt from very far. Many types of medicinal properties are found in asafoetida. Asafoetida is very hot & digestive.
It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures.
Asafoetida is used in the following diseases:-
Rib pain -
Mix some asafoetida in hot water and apply it on the rib. Rib pain will stop immediately.
Stinging glass or fork -
Filling of the asafoetida solution at the affected place will bring out the pierced glass or fork and pain will also not be there.
Stomach disorders -
The herb is an effective remedy for several diseases of the stomach. It is one of the best remedies available for flatulence and is an essential ingredient for most of the digestive powders.
In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach, asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and pad of cloth steeped in it may be used for fomenting the abdomen.
Toothache -
Asafoetida is useful in alleviating toothache. After being crushed in lemon juice, it is slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth, relieved pain quickly.
Children's disorders -
The herb is extensively used in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. There is an old European belief that a small piece of this gum, hung around a child's neck, would protect it from many diseases, especially germs which are sensitive to its particular odour.
Hysteria -
The herb is an effective remedy for hysteria. Inhaling this gum prevents hystetial attacks. An emulsion made by 2 grams of the gum with 120 ml of water is a valuable enema for rectum in treating hysteria, when oral dosage is not advisable.
Respiratory disorders -
Asafoetida is useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. About 3 to 6 centigrams of this gum, mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice and 1 teaspoon of betel leaf juice, taken thrice daily would keep the patient away from such disorders.
Impotency -
Asafoetida is beneficial in the treatment of impotency. About 6 centigrams of asafoetida should be fried in ghee and mixed with honey and a teaspoon of fresh latex of banyan tree. this mixture should be taken once daily for 40 days before sunrise. It is also considered a specific medicine for spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation.
Women's ailments -
The herb is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, unwanted abortion, pre-mature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea.
About 12 centigrams of gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 grams of goat's fresh milk and a teaspoon of honey, should be given thrice daily for a month.
It excited the secretion of progesterone hormone.
It is also useful for women after childbirth. Owing to its anti-flatulent and digestive properties, the herb can be taken with beneficial results during the post-delivery period.
In southern India, the powder of the herb mixed with rice is given to women after delivery.
Preparation and doses:
Asafoetida fried in ghee used either as a solution, emulsion or pills. The dose is 30 to 90 centigrams.
The solution is made by thoroughly mixing 20 grams of the gum with half a litre of hot water.
The dosage for the adults is 1 to 2 teaspoons and one-fourth to half for children.
Other Uses -
Antidote of Opium -
The herb is used as an antidote of opium.
Given in the same quantity as opium eaten by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug.
