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Asafetida

Ferula fotida (REGEL)N.O.Umbrelliferae

Asafetida


Names

History

Constituents

Uses
Food of the Gods, Hing, Hiltit, Devils Dung, Bazaars, Kandaharre Hing
Found in Aral in 1844, native of Afghanistan,growing two to four thousand feet above sea level.

Cabbage like heads are eaten raw.

Fruit used for medicine and sent to India for manufacture.(known as Bazaars and Kandaharre Hing)

Characteristic odor stronger than an onion,bitter taste.

Vile taste, so given as a pill. Asafetida is a foetid brownish gum, hence its name.

Called "Hiltit" by middle ages Arabic physicians.
Odor described as a combination of rotted garlic and used socks.
volatile oil,10%,50%
gummy oleoresin resin-25 %,
free ferulic acid,terpenes,disulphides and pinene
water
some impurities

Chemically, asafoetida contains volatile oil, resin, gum and impurities.
The resinous constituents are asaresinol ferulate, and free ferulic acid (hydroxymethoxy-cinnamic acid)
urnbelliferibne-a lactone of umbellic acid formed on boiling the resin with hydrochloric acid and filtering into ammonia,
umbellic acid (dihydroxycinnamic acid) is also present.
Disulphides and sugars form the other components
stimulant action for the brain
local stimulant to mucous membrane, esp: alimentary tract
asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough.
flatulent colich
hysteria
infantile pneumonia
condiment (eg Worcestershire sauce)

In ayurveda, the gum is used to improve appetite and digestion. It also relieves colic and flatulence.
In Malaysia it is used for abdominal distress.
In Japan it is used as a vermifuge and for stomachache.
It is also a valued carminative, antispasmodic and is used in dyspepsia and in bronchitis.
There is also a claim that it has an anti-opiate effect.
It is applied in and around the umbilicus in cases of gaseous distension.

East Indian cuisine
charms and spells

Uses listed are from Ayurvedic medicine

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Contra-Indications

"Usually non-toxic in the amounts used in cuisine or therapy. Gum may cause contact dermatitis. Ingestion of 15 gm, a massive dose produced no untoward effect, though damage to the gastric mucosa at high doses has been reported'. A smaller dose of 0.1 g/h did not produce this change."


 A PHYTOACTIVE: Asafoetida is bacteriostatic to S. aureus and Shigella sonnj. 


bacteriostatic



1.<microbiology> Inhibiting the growth or multiplication of bacteria.
2.<pharmacology> An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of bacteria.
S.aureus: Staphylococcus aureus, or Staph infection


http://accurapid.com/journal/09medic.htm


Shigella

A gram-negative flagellated bacteria of the Eschericiae group, responsible for dysentery in humans. Infection by drinking contaminated water is common.

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/


phytoactive


phyto-
<prefix> A combining form from Gr. Fyton a plant; as, phytochemistry, phytography.

Remedy: FORMULATION AND DOSAGE

Hingavashtaka churna : 3 - 5 gm. b.i.d.
Hinganodi taila : nasal drops.
Hingawadi Lepa : for external application.
Asafoetida powder : 0.25 - 0.5 g. b.i.d.


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Sources:

1. Grieves, A Modern Herbal, p. 738,

2. http://www.pioneerherbs.com/ferula_foetida.htm

3. http://www.modern-natural.com/Ferula%20Foetida%20Regel.htm

Link here to Companion Article






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