Hing

This genus consists of 172 species of robust perennials, found from the Mediterranean to C Asia. Although known as giant fennels, because of their similarity in appearance to Foeniculum species (see, Fennel), many have an unpleasant smell. Ferula assa-foetida is probably the most foul-smelling of all herbs, with a sulphurous odor that surprisingly, in judicious quantities, gives a pleasant flavor to foods. Airtight storage is necessary to avoid contamination of surroundings. Both F. assa-foetida and F. gummosa have long been important for their gum resin; the former was subject to a tax in Alexandria during the second century CE, and the latter was mentioned as an ingredient in Moses' incense. Ferula assa-foetida is also a very effective medicinal herb, much used in Ayurvedic tradition. A similar gum resin is also collected from related species, such as F. rubicaulis. The pleasant-smelling musk root (F. sumbul) is used like F. gummosa in incense, and to treat hysteria. Ferula communis, which is widely grown as an ornamental, also yields a gum resin, used in N Africa to treat joint pains, skin diseases, and rheumatism.

This odiferous herb, sometimes known as devil's dung or stinking gum, gets its name from the Persian word asa, meaning "resin", combined with the Latin word foetida, meaning "smelling" or "fetid". Despite its sulfurlike smell, it was used as a folk remedy in the Appalachians for children's colds; a bag of smelly paste was hung around the child's neck.

Large perennial with a thick rootstock, and large, finely divided leaves, to 35cm (14in) long, that have an unpleasant, garlic-like odor. Tiny yellow flowers are produced in a compact umbel in summer, usually in the 5th year, after which the plant dies.

Asafoetida is a perennial plant native to Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. It grows six feet (2m) tall from a fleshy taproot, and bears composite leaves and umbels of white flowers at its head. Asafoetida produces a gum gathered in summer from the roots of plants at least for years old (if a plant is not a minimum of four years old, its gum is considered worthless). The oldest plants are the most productive. The stems are cut off, and successive slices are made through the roots. The gum wells up and is collected after it has hardened.
Despite its common name "Devil's Dung", asafoetida was the favorite flavoring of ancient Rome. With a pungent aroma that is more persistent than garlic, asafoetida is still used as an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.


Common Name:
Hing
Other Names:
Asafoetida, Devil's Dung, Food of the Gods, Gum Asafoetida, Narthex
Botanical Name:
Ferula assa-foetida
Genus:
Ferula
Family:
Apiaceae
Native Location:
Coastal regions and rocky areas in Iran
Cultivation:
Rich, well-drained soil in sun
Propagation:
By seed sown in deep containers when ripe.
Harvest:
Ferula assa-foetida is cut down as it begins to flower, and the gum resin is scraped from the top of the root. Slices are removed and scraped until the root is exhausted. Stems and roots of F. gummosa are incised to collect gum resin during the growing season. Resins are formed into lumps, which are processed into paste, pills, powders, or tinctures.
Height:
2m (6ft)
Width:
1.5m (5ft)
Hardiness:
Z7-9
Parts Used:
Gum Resin (e wei)
Properties:
A pungent herb that acts mainly on the digestive system, strengthening and cleansing the gastrointestinal tract. It relieves pain and spasms, encourages productive coughing, and has hypotensive and anti-coagulant effects.
Evidence of Benefit:
According to Ayurvedic medicine, asafoetida is a valuable spice and remedy for nervous disorders, colic, bowel spasms, and for spasmodic coughing due to whooping cough, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It is also regarded as an effective remedy for worms and other intestinal parasites. There have been reports of people who have noticed benefits for flatulence, digestive weakness, candidiasis, and chronic fatigue.
Benefits of asafoetida for specific health conditions include the following:
  • Colic: Asafoetida is a local stimulant of mucous membranes, especially in the alimentary tract. As a result, it is useful in reducing flatulence and easing colic, and as a laxative medicine.
  • High Cholesterol: Asafoetida oil, taken in a relatively high dose, has been shown to lower cholesterol levels associated with high fat consumption. (Unfortunately, the dosage of asafoetida in Worcestershire sauce does not compensate for the cholesterol in steak.)
  • Insect Bites: Due to its pungent smell, asafoetida repels insects from the skin and body.
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Asafoetida oil relieves gas buildup and irritation in irritable bowel syndrome. It also calms muscle spasms and digestive disturbances associated with anxiety.
  • Nervous Disorders: Asafoetida was one of the most commonly prescribed herbs throughout the nineteenth century for the treatment of hysteria and for many symptoms associated with mood swings and depression.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for indigestion, flatulence, colic, constipation, intestinal worms, dysentery, whooping cough, bronchitis, or convulsive illnesses. Externally for painful juice.
To treat dyspepsia, irritable colon, chronic gastritis, intestinal parasites, asthma, whooping cough, and disease of the liver and spleen.
Considerations for Use:
Asafoetida is used as a powder or tincture. The pale yellow or orange-yellow essential oil, occasionally used in aromatherapy in place of garlic, is not a substitute.
The uncooked herb can cause nausea and vomiting. Using asafoetida over long periods may cause throat irritation, gas, diarrhea, and burning urination. This herb should be avoided during pregnancy. It may affect the menstrual cycle, and it is known to induce miscarriage.
Culinary Uses:
Ground resin is used in minute amounts to flavor legume dishes (especially lentil soup), vegetables, sauces, and pickles, especially in Indian cuisine.
Economic Uses:
An ingredient of Worcestershire Sauce.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of asafoetida is approximately 20 drops of tincture.
Possible Side Effects:
No side effects are known when asafoetida is taken in designated therapeutic doses.
Drug Interactions:
Taking asafoetida with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Aspirin and Dipyridamole, (Aggrenox)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Clopidogrel, (Plavix)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Dipyridamole, (Novo-Dipiridol, Persantine)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Eptifibatide, (Integrillin)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Indobufen, (Ibustrin)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Tirofiban, (Aggrastat)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking asafoetida with these drugs may increase the risk of hypotension (excessively low blood pressure):
Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral)
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Candesartan, (Atacand)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
Carvedilol, (Coreg)
Chlorthiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clonidine, (Catapres, Duraclon)
Diazoxide, (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Doxazosin, (Alti-Doxazosin, Cardura)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Eplerenone, (Inspra)
Eprosartan, (Teveten)
Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Fenoldopam, (Corlopam)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Guanabenz, (Wytensin)
Guanadrel, (Hylorel)
Guanfacine, (Tenex)
Hydralazine, (Apresoline, Novo-Hylazin)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, (Dyazide, Maxzide)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Irbesartan, (Avapro)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Losartan, (Cozaar)
Mecamylamine, (Inversine)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Methlydopa, (Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
Minoxidil, (Loniten, Rogaine)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitroglycerin, (Minitran, Nitro-Dur)
Nitroprusside, (Nipride, Nitropress)
Omesartan, (Benicar)
Oxeprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Phenoxybenzamine, (Dibenzyline)
Phentolamine, (Regitine, Rogitine)
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Prazosin, (Minipress, Nu-Prazo)
Propanolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Reserpine, (Reserpine)
Spironolactone, (Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton)
Telmisartan, (Micardis)
Terazosin, (Alti-Terazosin, Hytrin)
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
Torsemide, (Demadex)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Triamterene, (Dyrenium)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin Naqua)
Vasartan, (Diovan)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Disease Interactions:
  • May increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in those with bleeding diseases.
  • May trigger convulsions win those with diseases of the central nervous system.
  • May interfere witht he control of blood pressure.
  • This herb can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and may worsen inflammatory and infectious gastrointestinal ailments.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 213
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by George T. Grossberg, M.D., and Barry Fox, Ph.D. Copyright ©2007 by Barry Fox, Ph.D. pp. 49-50
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch,CNC Copyright©2002 Phyllis A. Balch. pg.25