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Scientific name of Asafoetida Plant: Ferula Narthex

Name in different languages:-

English: Stinking gum, Devil's dung.

Sanscrit: Hingu, Agudagandhu, Badhika.

Hindi: Hing

Malayalam: Kayam കായം, Perungayam

Plant description

Devil's dung  or Asafoetida is a perennial plant, which grows up to 2 m tall, with large bipinnate leaves and developing a fleshy rootstock. The inflorescence is the 5th year of its growth, the flowering stem is 10 cm thick and to 3 m tall. Flowers are yellow, found in axillary umbels, as a clustered form.

Asafoetida-Devil's dung or Hingu is prepared from roots of the plant, a resin or gum-like material come out of the cuts of the living root is collected and solidified, which is black in color, bitter in taste and with a bad smell. It is used as an ingredient in many of Ayurveda medicine. 

Leaf Arrangement

Shape-AcicularMargin-EntireVenation-Parallel

 Useful plant parts:

Gummy resin

Medicinal uses:

It is beneficial in the treatments of asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, H1N1-swine flu, and asthma, Gastric disorders like intestinal gas, constipation, upset stomach, IBS, irritable colon, and  mental disorders such as hysteria, insanity, convulsions, and used as a nerve stimulant,  depression with physical fatigue, and control cholesterol and High BP. 

Chemical Contents:

Coumarins

Medicinal Properties:

Digestive agent, Nervous stimulant, Sedative.

How to prepare medicines:

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Ayurvedic Remedies Using Asafoetida

Stomachache/Gas/Burping

  • Mix a pinch of asafoetida in hot water and apply around the navel.

  • A 1/2 g of asafoetida can also be consumed along with any food.

  • If there is pain due to gas accumulation in the stomach, boil 2 g of asafoetida in 500 mL of water until 125 mL remain.

  • Drink this while still warm for relief.

Pain in Ribs

  • Mix asafoetida in hot water and apply to the area of pain.

Headache Due to a Cold

  • Mix asafoetida in hot water and apply on the forehead.

Migraines

  • Mix asafoetida in water and smell this for relief.

Indigestion

  • Mix equal quantities of asafoetida, rock salt, carom seeds, and Ink Nut or Terminalia chebula fruit (Choti harad).

  • Grind the mixture to a fine powder.

  • Consume one tsp of this mixture with hot water three times a day.

Burping/Hiccups

  • Put a piece of asafoetida equal in size to a grain of pearl millet (bajra) in a slice of banana or jaggery and consume this for relief.

Worms in Children

  • Mix some asafoetida in water and apply this solution on the anus with a cotton ball.

To Counter the Effects Of Opium Use

  • Mix 4 grams of asafoetida in water and drink.

Toothaches

  • Keep a small piece of asafoetida on the gum under the aching tooth for pain relief.

Urticaria (Hives)

  • Mix asafoetida in clarified butter (ghee) and massage onto affected areas.

Hysteria

  • Smelling asafoetida may relieve hysteria.

Pneumonia

  • Mix a pinch of asafoetida in water and drink.

Menses Pain

  • Mix a pinch of asafoetida in buttermilk. Add a 1/2 tsp of fenugreek powder, salt to taste, and consume.

Poisoning

  • Mix a pinch of asafoetida in water. This induces vomiting to remove ingested poison.

Cold

  • Simply smelling asafoetida can help remove accumulated mucus.

Hoarseness

  • Mix a 1/2 gram of asafoetida in hot water and gargle.

Weak Heart

  • Asafoetida gives strength to a weak heart, prevents blood from clotting, and improves blood circulation.

Corns/Callus

  • Apply asafoetida directly on the affected spot.

Diabetes

  • Mix 1/4 tsp of asafoetida in 2 tsp of bitter gourd juice and consume. It helps regulates blood sugar levels.

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Precautions With Asafoetida

  • Those suffering from severe acidity, piles, liver problems, and high blood pressure or other blood disorders should not consume asafoetida.

  • Do not consume when taking blood pressure medicines.

  • Asafoetida thins the blood and prevents clotting.

  • In excess, it can cause rashes, swelling of the lips, a burning sensation in stomach, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Pregnant women should avoid taking asafoetida because it can induce a miscarriage.

  • Hotheaded persons should also not consume it.

Used as an ingredient in the Ayurveda medicines like:-

Hinguvadi Thailam

Hingu Triguna Thailam   

Hinguvachadi choornam

Rasnadi Choornam

Yogaraja Churnam  

Grahanyantaka ghritam

Ashtaskhari Gulik

Ashta choornam

Dasangam Gulika

Kombanchadi Gulika

Krimisodhini Vati

Mukkamukkutukadi Gulika

Ponkaradi Gulka

Suryaprabha Gulika

Vilangadi  Gulika

Ashta choornam

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Nutrition Facts of Asafoetida  per 100 grams

Calories    297 kcal

Moisture     16 g

Protein        4. g

Fat    1.1 gm

Minerals    7 g

Fibre 4.1 g

Carbohydrates   67.8 g

Calcium      690 mg

Phosphorus   50 mg

Iron    39.4 mg

Carotene    4 ug

Riboflavin   40 ug

Niacin     300 ug

Magnesium   80 mg

Copper     430 ug

Manganese   1,120 ug

Zinc   830 ug

Chromium   79 ug

Macronutrients and micronutrients contained in 100 grams of asafoetida

from the National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad, India.