10 Health Benefits of Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida)

October 24, 2023 Agric4Profits

Asafoetida botanically known as Ferula asafoetida is the root of the Rhizome plant and is dried to create a gum-like substance used in cooking. Asafoetida is the dried form of latex (gum).

In India, it is more frequently referred to as hing and has an unpleasant or pungent scent. Native to Afghanistan and the Iranian countries, this plant. However, the Indian Sub-Continent heavily utilizes and cultivates it.

This herbal dried extract’s capacity to impart a silky smoothness to soups and curries was the primary justification for its promotion as an edible spice.

While it is well-known by many other intriguing names, including “food of the Gods” and a few others, these names indicate the countless health and beauty advantages it provides when consumed.

When young, the asafoetida tree is a grayish-white tint, but as it ages, it turns yellow, red, and eventually brown. The resin is usually crushed between stones or with a hammer because it is difficult to grate.

Today, compounded asafoetida powder, a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida – Ferula asafoetida resin as well as rice flour and gum arabic, is the most widely accessible form.

Foods of the gods, Jowani badian, stinking gum, Devil’s dung, Hing, Heng, Ingu, Kayam, and ting are some of the other names for this spice or extract.

The inner part of the fully developed stem is considered a delicacy, but the entire plant is consumed as a fresh vegetable. The plant might reach a height of two meters (7 feet).

When it is ready to produce asafoetida after four years, the stems are cut near the base, and a milky fluid emerges that immediately hardens into a solid resinous mass.

Asafoetida or Ferula asafoetida first seems translucent and pearly white when first exposed, but it quickly darkens in the air, first turning pink and then reddish brown.

10 Health Benefits of Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida)

The following are the ten (10) amazing health benefits of Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida)

1. Anti-aging Benefits

This herbal spice works wonders as an anti-aging treatment. It has the benefit of removing age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles from the face. Rose water, fuller’s earth, and asafoetida can be combined to create a potent anti-wrinkle face mask.

2. Skin Whitening Benefits

Dark spots, acne scars, and oiliness can all be diminished with the use of asafoetida as a whitening agent. Tyrosine synthesis in the skin is inadvertently hampered.

Tyrosine encourages the formation of melanin in human skin, which results in dullness, premature aging, and skin darkening. Tyrosine synthesis is controlled by asafoetida.

As a result, using Asafoetida face masks can help you show off clear, youthful skin that is also free of blemishes.

3. Relaxes Menstrual Pain

Most women may think their periods are a nightmare since they are so painful and they bleed so much all the time. Asafoetida has advantages by easing back and stomach pain associated with menstruation.

Due to its blood-thinning qualities, hing benefits by effectively controlling blood flow. Additionally, it controls the level of progesterone produced, which facilitates easy blood flow and pain relief and controls your menstrual cycle.

4. Good For Pregnant Women

Pregnant women benefit from using asafoetida in little doses or just a pinch. Contrarily, asafoetida overdose is dangerous for expectant mothers. Taking raw asafoetida can also trigger morning sickness and vomiting due to its potent flavor.

Overeating asafoetida can cause unpleasant side effects such as burping, swelling lips, gas production, throat infections, and diarrhea. Additionally, because it interferes with blood pressure regulation, asafoetida should not be used by pregnant women with excessive blood pressure.

5. For Gas Relief In Adult

After a large meal, gas buildup in the digestive tract may result in uncomfortable stomach bloating. Gas enters your digestive tract when you breathe in oxygen while eating when you eat specific foods, or when bacteria in your large intestine break down some undigested foods.

However, some magic spices can quickly relieve gastric issues. The first on that list is hing or asafoetida. Adults have long relied on hing for relief from gas because it has healing properties and enhances the flavor of many foods.

The majority of gastrointestinal issues are instantly alleviated. Hing is a good addition to foods that are challenging to digest.

The aromatic spice helps with gas, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome because of its anti-flatulent and anti-inflammatory qualities. If you have indigestion and your digestive system is bothering you, try eating some hing.

6. Good For Weight Loss

Hing is consumed in several ways to help you lose weight. Hing is anti-inflammatory, speeds up metabolism, aids digestion, and controls blood sugar levels.

Better digestion and immediate weight loss are aided by an increase in metabolic rate. Additionally, consuming hing regularly can help protect your body from free radicals because of its high antioxidant content.

7. Great Skin Benefits

Hing is a substance that fixes dryness. Dryness and skin damage are brought on by pollution and stress. Your skin is made soft and silky with asafoetida.

It eliminates all overt signs of skin dryness, such as pigmentation, dullness, cracking, peeling, and wrinkles.

It has anti-acne qualities that keep bacteria from sticking to the skin and producing acne. Additionally, it alters the skin’s environment so that germs cannot grow there.

A whitening agent called asafoetida improves fairness and lessens the visibility of dark spots, acne scars, and oiliness. Tyrosine synthesis in the skin is naturally constrained.

Tyrosine promotes the production of melanin in the skin, which results in early aging, darkening, and dullness. You can thus flaunt flawless, radiant, youthful skin.

8. Reliefs Headache

Hing’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities help to calm the brain’s pulsing blood vessels. Hing is also an antidepressant that eases chronic migraines and headaches brought on by stress.

9. Reliefs Respiratory Issues

Hing helps to keep germs out of the respiratory system since it has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial effects.

Asthma and a dry cough are two conditions that he can aid with. Additionally, it helps to reduce phlegm production and chest congestion.

10. Controls Blood Pressure Levels

Natural blood-thinning agent asafoetida may help lower blood pressure. It contains a lot of coumarins, a substance that helps to improve and regulate blood flow and prevent clot formation.