Attributed
Medicinal Properties
Asafoetida is known as an
antidote for flatulence and is
also prescribed for respiratory
conditions like asthma,
bronchitis and whooping cough.
Its vile smell has led to many
unusual medical claims, mostly
stemming from the belief that
it’s foetid odour would act as a
deterrent to germs. In several
European countries a small piece
of the resin would be tied on a
string and hung around childrens
necks to protect from disease.
The shock of the sulfurous smell
was once thought to calm
hysteria and in the days of the
American Wild West it was
included in a mixture with other
strong spices as a cure for
alcoholism.
Other
Names
Asafetida, Assafetida,
Assafoetida, Devil’s Dung,
Devil’s Durt, Food of the Gods
(Persian), Laser (Roman),
Stinking Gum
French: assa foetida,
ferulr perisque
German: Asafotida,
Stinkender Asant
Italian: assafetida
Spanish: asafetida
Afghan: kama-i-anguza
Indian: hing, hingu,
heeng
Tamil: perunkaya
Plant
Description and Cultivation
Asafoetida is grown chiefly in
Iran and Afghanistan from where
it is exported to the rest of
the world. In India it is
cultivated in Kashmir. It is a
perennial fennel that grows wild
to 3.6 metres (12 ft) high, in
large natural forests where
little else grows. It bears fine
leaves and yellow flowers. The
roots are thick and pulpy and
also yield a similar resin to
that of the stems. All parts of
the plant have the distinctive
fetid smell. In March and April,
just before flowering, the
stalks are cut close to the
root. A milky liquid oozes out,
which dries to form a resin.
This is collected and a fresh
cut is made. This procedure
lasts for about three months
from the first incision, by
which time the plant has yielded
up to two pounds of resin and
the root has dried up. |
