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.
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