Hing / Asafetida – also known as: ferula asafoetida, asant, food of the gods, giant fennel, jowani badian, stinking gum, devil’s dung, inguva, kayam, hengu, ting – is the dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula perennial herbs growing 1 to 1.5 m tall.
Asafoetida has a pungent smell of garlic, lending it the trivial name of stinking gum. It is also figuratively called a “pharmacy” or “hospital” because of the breadth of its benefits.
Ayurveda refers asafoetida to one of the strongest antimicrobial and bactericidal agents. It has a specific taste and has many medicinal properties. In Ayurveda, asafoetida is highly regarded for its healing properties. It is used in small quantities.
It not only stimulates digestion and the digestive tract, but also affects many other body systems.
Uses:
– Asafoetida is a powerful digestive aid that helps to remove food congestion from the gastrointestinal tract.
– Hing can also help to relieve problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. It does this by helping to reduce the gas in your digestive system. When gas is absorbed and reduced, you don’t have so many problems with painful intestinal cramping and discomfort.
– Effective for removing worms, especially round and pinworms.
– It is recommended to use it for respiratory diseases – it can be a helpful remedy for serious coughing problems such as bronchitis or whooping cough. It helps to relieve the spasms in the airways that are causing the coughing in the first place
– Asafoetida is able to calm the nervous system, relieve spasms, and has an analgesic effect.
-It is also indicated for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and joint pain.
-Ayurveda also recommends asafoetida for the treatment of gynecological diseases and for sexual impotence.
– It helps with late and painful menstruation, relieves pain and relieves cramping.
– Is used for infertility, the threat of miscarriage, painful menstruation and leucorrhoea.
– Since asafoetida improves digestion and acts as a tonic, it is also recommended for women in the postpartum period, when the body needs additional support.
– For children with minor mental disorders, asafoetida is a natural medicine.
– This is an excellent immunomodulator and stimulator of biological processes – it is recommended to use hing in small doses daily for adults and children (at the tip of a teaspoon) to increase immunity and stimulate the work of all organs and systems of the body.
Asafoetida has pronounced medicinal properties therefore it is also considered one of the most useful spices.
Asafoetida in cooking:
Indian cuisine recommends using this spice to improve the taste and aromatic qualities of vegetarian dishes.
Asafoetida ideally combines with rice, alone or mixed with other spices. It also goes well with pasta and fresh vegetables.
The spice is recommended to be used very carefully, as it has a strong smell and taste. Just add the spices on the tip of the knife to the pot with soup or broth.
The spice improves the aroma of meat, it is recommended to give a rich taste and aroma to roasted meat, and stewed vegetables.
Asafoetida does not combine with onions or garlic, but it perfectly replaces them.
A good taste alliance of asafoetida is with turmeric, caraway seeds, black mustard and ginger.
Cautions: Asafoetida is safe for most people.
It is unsafe to take asafoetida by mouth if you are breastfeeding. The chemicals in hing could pass into breast milk and cause blood disorders in the nursing infant. Avoid use.
Children: Asafoetida is unsafe for infants when taken by mouth because it might cause certain blood disorders.