Asafoetida Benefits Remedies Origin Nutritive Value Medicinal Virtues Uses Heeng

ASAFOETIDA (Heeng)

Description

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) is a dry latex or resinous gum of a tall perennial plant has massive taproot or carrot-shaped root, 12.5 to 15 cm in diameter at the crown, when they are 4 to 5 years old. The latex is collected in earthen vessels, dried and packed in leather bags in the form of hing. This process is usually done before the plant flowers.

Asafoetida is dirty yellow in colour, acrid and bitter in taste. It emits a strong, disagreeable, pungent, alliaceous odour due to the presence of sulphur compounds. Hence it is called ‘Devil’s dung’ abroad. The odour of Asafoetida is stronger and more tenacious than that of the onion. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures.

Origin and distribution:

Asafoetida has several varieties which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. It appears to have been introduced from East by the Arabian Physicians. It is grown in Kandhar, Persia, Iran and Afghanistan. The other species, known botanically as Ferula narthex, grows abundantly in Kashmir, Western Tibet and Afghanistan. It forms a good substitute for asafoetida which is imported into India via the Khyber or Bolen passes or from the Persian Gulf ports. There are at least two types of asafoetida, One turning red and brownish on exposure to the air and the other type remaining pale buff of white.

Nutritive Value/Composition:

An analysis of asafoetida shows it to consist of moisture 16.0 per cent, protein 4.0 per cent, fat 1.1 per cent, minerals 7.0 per cent, fibre 4.1 per cent carbohydrates 67.8 per cent per 100 grams. It’s minerals and vitamin contents include calcium 690 mg. per cent, phosphorous 50 mg. per cent, iron 39.4 mg. per cent, carotene 4 mcg. Per cent, riboflavin 0.04 mg. per cent and niacin 0.3 mg. per cent. Its calorific value is 297.

Asafoetida contains resin 40-64 per cent, gum about 25 per cent, volatile oil 10-17 per cent and ash 1.5-10 per cent. The resin consists chiefly of asaresinotennol, free or combined with ferulic acid. Umbelliferone seems to be present in the combined state. The oil of asafoetida is obtained by steam distillation of the gum resin. The yield of oil varies from 3 to 20 per cent.

Medicinal Virtues

Asafoetida has been widely used in indigenous system of medicines from the earliest times in India. It has been attributed properties to expel wind from the stomach and counteract many spasmodic disorders. It is also a nervine stimulant, digestive agent and a sedative. Recent studies have shown that asafoetida oil has antibiotic properties and inhibits growth of microbes.

In the body, asafoetida is absorbed from intestines and due to various volatile oils, it is excreted through lungs, skin and kidneys, leaving a sedative effect. It excites the secretion of ovarian hormones and sex stimulating centres.

Digestive Disorders: Asafoetida is a gas relieving food and an ideal medicine for several digestive disorders. It is one of the best medicines for expelling wind from the stomach. This spice has been found beneficial in the treatment of spasmodic disorders, indigestion and colic.

In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach, asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth soaked in it may be used for fomrnting the abdomen. The spice can also be used beneficially as an enema for intestinal flatulence.

Adding asafoetida to foodstuffs, helps digestion and prevents flatulence by inhibiting the gas forming germs and eases the passage of flatus. Therefore, from ancient times in certain places of india, it is generally used along with every food, particularly with pickles and curries.

Respiratory Disorders : Asafoetida possesses expectorant property and it helps remove catarrhs and phlegm from the bronchinal tube. It thus helps control respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. About 3 to 6 centigrams of this gum, should be taken mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice and 1 teaspoon of betel leaf juice, thrice daily. This mixture will be beneficial both for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. The smoke of asafoetida can be inhaled through a pipe to relieve the paroxysm of asthma.

Infectious diseases :From ancient times, asafetida is used as a preventive medicine for infectious. In olden days, it used to be tied in a cloth and left hanging in one of the corners of the house. It was believed that the smell that emitted from the stuff was responsible for preventing the diseases. Perhaps the volatile oils and the smell might have influence on micro-organisms.

Aches and pains : This spice possesses painkilling properties Asafoetida 2 grams, dissolved in one tablespoon of coconut oil, is applied as an analgesic balm in rheumatoid arthritis, myalgia and traumatic swelling. A paste of asafoetida, prepared with water or lime juice, is applied over wasp, bee, and scorpion stings.

This spice is also valuable remedy for relieving toothache. It should be pestle in lemon juice, and slighty heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion should be placed in the cavity of the tooth. It will relieve pain quickly. The powder of the spice can also be applied with beneficial results on painful tooth and surrounding gums.

Fevers (Kala-Azar) : The use of this spice has been found valuable in Kala-Azar, which is characterized by irregular fever, progressive anaemia and gradual increase in temperature. A small piece of asafoetida and one piece of garlic should be ground  together. A drink made from this mixture should be taken once daily for a week in treating this diseases. The same mixture should be applied as ointment over the spleen till it softens.

Amnesia : This resinous gum is said to help regenerate the brain and the nervous system and thereby help increases memory. It also helps to tone up sluggish organs to create a feeling of youthful vitality. It can be used as a mind tonic in the powdered form. One and a half teaspoon of this powder should be dissolved in two cups of boiling water. It should be allowed to cool then sip several tablespoons while working. This gives a feeling of mental alertness and sharpens memory.

Sexual  Impotence: Asafoetida is a powerful sex stimulating food. It is thus beneficial in the treatment of impotency. About 6 centigrams of this spice 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.

Hysteria: This spice is highly beneficial in the treatment of hysteria. In case of hysterial attacks, this resinous gum should be inhaled. When it is not possible to take oral doses, an emulsion made by 2 grams of the gum with 120 ml of water should be used as an enema per rectum.

Intestinal worms: Asafoetida is also regarded in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Western medicine as an effective remedy for worms and other intestinal parasites. It can be administered as an enema for this purpose.

Childern’s Ailments : The use of asafoetida has been found valuable in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. In olden days in Europe, a small piece of this gum was hung around a child’s neck, to protect it from any diseases, especially germs which are sensitive to its particular odour.

Women’s problems: Asafoetida is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, habitual abortion, premature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea. About 12 centigrams of gum fried in ghee, mixed with 120 centigrams of goat’s fresh milk and a tablespoon of honey. Should be given thrice daily for a month. It excites the secretion of progesterone hormone.

For habitual abortion, six grams of asafoetida should be ground with water and 60 pills prepared. The women with the tendency for habitual abortion should take one pill each twice a day, from the time of conception. The number of pills should be increased gradually till she takes 10 pills a day. The number should then be gradually reduced.

This spice is also useful for women after childbirth. Its use will keep her free from gas formation and ther digestive problems owing to its antiflatulent and digestive properties. It is a normal practice in southern India to give the powder of this spice mixed with rice to woman after delivery. The use of asafoetida during this period also increases breast-milk. It should be given in doses of six centigrams with a teaspoon of infusion of cloves thrice daily for this purpose.

Antidote of Opium : This spice is used as an antidote of opium. Given in the same quantity as opium ingested by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug.

Uses:

The gum resin is relished as a condiment in India and iran where it is used flavor curries meatballs, dal and pickles. It is used in Europe and the United States in perfumes and for flavouring. The whole plant is used as a fresh vegetable.

Precaution:

Asafoetida should not be used in excess, due to its semitoxic affects. Infants and children in particular shouls not be given asafoetida in oral form, because it causes severe vomiting leading to dehydration.