10 Incredible Health Benefits of Asafoetida You Must Know!

By ayurvedic upchar - 7:44:00 PM

Asafetida is commonly known as Hing in Hindi, it is a latex gum extracted from several species of a perennial herb, Ferula.

It is available in the market as solid mass or smaller pieces, as well as in the form of tablets or powder. This powerful odor spice is commonly used in Persian and Indian cuisine to flavor, and preserve the fragrance of food.

Due to its strong smell, it is also known as devil's dung. From a nutritional point of view, asafetida provides proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin, carotene, and riboflavin.

In addition to its culinary uses, asafetida has a prominent place in traditional medicine. Its health benefits come from its properties carminative, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, diuretic, vermifuge, emmenagogue, aphrodisiac, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Considering it's numerous therapeutic and healing properties, this spice is also known as the "food of the gods".

1 It is used to treat stomach problems

Asafetida is a surprising species for the treatment of various types of stomach problems. It's antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiflatulent properties help to alleviate problems such as indigestion, upset stomach, intestinal gas, intestinal worms, flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also considered useful in the treatment of food poisoning.

Consume a little asafetida daily adding it to curry and food.
Another option is to dissolve a few pieces of asafetida in a cup and a half of water. Drink daily after eating your food.

2 Cures Respiratory disorders

Because of its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibiotic effects, asafoetida is often used to treat breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis, dry cough, whooping cough, and colds. In addition, it acts as a respiratory stimulant, which is very useful in relieving chest congestion and releasing phlegm.

A paste prepared by grinding asafoetida in water and then applying it to the chest is an effective remedy to relieve cough.
You can also mix half a teaspoon of asafetida powder and dried ginger powder and two tablespoons of honey. Take this mixture at least three times a day to get relief from dry cough, whooping cough, bronchitis, and asthma.

3 Relieves menstrual problems

Asafetida is really a great help for women, since it helps to eliminate menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, and abundant blood flow during menstruation. Asafetida increases the secretion of progesterone and promotes blood flow without problems, and therefore provides relief from these very common female problems.

Mix a pinch of asafetida, half a teaspoon of fenugreek powder and salt to taste in a cup of milk.
Drink this two or three times a day for a month to relieve menstrual periods pain and discomfort that accompany it.

4. Relieves headaches

If you have a headache due to a common cold or a migraine, asafetida can certainly solve your problem. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, and in turn, reduce headaches.

Heat a pinch of asafetida in one and a half cups of water. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes and then drink a few times a day to relieve a mild tension headache.

5 Relieves toothaches

Due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, asafetida helps relieve tooth pain and fight infection. It can also help treat bleeding gums and tooth decay.

Simply place a small piece of asafetida on the affected tooth to get quick relief.
You can also make a mouthwash with asafetida. Boil a little asafetida in a cup of water. When it is lukewarm, use it as a mouthwash.
Another option is to make a poultice by heating with half a teaspoon of asafetida in two teaspoons of lemon juice. Soak a cotton swab in it and apply it on the affected tooth.

Follow any of these remedies a couple of times a day until you get relief.

6 Relieves earaches

The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of asafoetida can help relieve the earache caused by an infection.

Heat the coconut oil in a small pot.
Add a small piece of asafetida and let it melt.
When it is warm, use this mixture as eardrops.
Two or three drops of this solution can be used and repeated as necessary.

7 It is used to treat the pain of colic

L Asafetida can effectively relieve the pain symptoms of colic in babies by soothing the mucous membranes lining the gastrointestinal tract.

Before using asafetida for the treatment of colic pain, make sure your baby is suffering from gas and not from any other problem. If your baby's stomach is tight and swollen, it is probably gas.

Make a thin paste of asafetida and warm water.
Apply the paste around the navel area (do not put it in the navel).
Repeat as necessary.

Note: For infants and young children, it is not advisable to give asafetida internally.

8 Prevents cancer

As asafetida is a powerful antioxidant, which helps protect the body against free radicals. Studies show its anti-cancer property that helps stop the growth of malignant cells and therefore prevents cancer.

Of the various compounds in asafetida that have the potential to treat or prevent cancer, two compounds are more widely studied, these are ferulic acid and umbelliprenin, which help prevent the development of new cancer cells.

9 It is used to treat impotence

Asafetida has also been used for centuries to treat impotence or erectile dysfunction in men.

Fry a quarter of a teaspoon of asafetida in a little clarified butter.
Remove from the heat and mix with a half teaspoon of fresh latex from the fig tree and a little honey.
Take this mixture once a day in the early morning for 40 days and you will notice improvement in your condition.

According to a study in Egypt, asafetida is also useful in the treatment of genital infections.

10 heals insect bites and stings

Asafetida is also very beneficial in the treatment of insect bites and bee and wasp stings. It relieves pain and inflammation and helps reduce toxic effects. In fact, asafetida is also used in insect repellent products to protect against mosquitoes, gnats and other insects due to its pungent odor.