Asafoetida

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Ferula Asafoetida

Other Names: A Wei, Asafétida, Ase Fétide, Assant, Crotte du Diable, Devil's Dung, Ferula Asafoetida, Ferula Assa Foetida, Ferula assa-foetida, Ferula foetida, Ferula pseudalliacea, Ferula rubricaulis, Férule, Férule Persique, Food of the Gods, Fum, Giant Fennel, Heeng, Hing.
Ferula asafoetida is herbaceous plant of the umbelliferae family. It is the oleo gum resin obtained from the rhizome and root of plant, named asafoetida resin which is used as a medicine. Asafoetida resin is produced by solidifying juice that comes out of cuts made in the plant’s living roots.

Special Precautions of Asafoetida

  • Asafoetida is safe for most people in the amounts typically found in foods. There is some evidence that it might be safe when used as medicine. In some people, asafoetida can cause swelling of the lips, burping, intestinal gas, diarrhea, headache, convulsions, blood disorders, and other side effects.
  • Children: Asafoetida is UNSAFE for infants because it might cause certain blood disorders.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE to use asafoetida if you are pregnant. It might cause a miscarriage. Avoid use.
  • It is also UNSAFE to use asafoetida if you are breast-feeding. The chemicals in asafoetida could pass into breast milk and then cause bleeding disorders in the nursing infant. Avoid use.
  • Bleeding disorders: There is concern that asafoetida might increase the risk of bleeding. Don’t use asafoetida if you have a bleeding disorder.
  • Epilepsy or history of convulsions: Don’t use asafoetida if you have epilepsy or some other central nervous system condition that might lead to seizures or convulsions.
  • Stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Asafoetida can irritate the GI tract. Don’t use it of you have a GI infection or other GI condition.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension): There is some concern that asafoetida might interfere with blood pressure control. Avoid use if you have a blood pressure problem.
  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Asafoetida.
  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Asafoetida.

Properties

antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, emmenagogue and vermifuge. The gum resin is antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, and sedative.

Benefits and uses of Asafoetida are

It is used in modern herbalism in the treatment of hysteria, some nervous conditions, bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough. It was at one time employed in the treatment of infantile pneumonia and flatulent colic. The volatile oil in the gum is eliminated through the lungs, making this an excellent treatment for asthma. It also thins the blood and lowers blood pressure. It is widely used in India in food and as a medicine in Indian systems of medicine like ayurveda. Asafoetida has been held in great esteem among indigenous medicines, particularly in Unani system from the earliest times

  • breathing problems including ongoing (chronic) bronchitis, H1N1 "swine" flu, and asthma.
  • As a digestive aid, in food as a condiment and in pickles : digestion problems including intestinal gas, upset stomach, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and irritable colon.
  • “whooping cough” (pertussis)
  • croup
  • hoarse throat.
  • Hysteria.
  • Intestinal gas.
  • Stomach upset.
  • Irritable colon.
  • Convulsions.
  • Nerve disorders.
  • Menstrual problems.
  • Corns and calluses, when applied directly to the skin.

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