hingu

Ferula is perennial, herbaceous, monoecious plant of apiaceae family. This plant grows up to height of 2mts and circular mass of leaves is 30-40cm. Leaves of this herb are very fine and flowers are yellow colored. Roots are very massive, thick and pulpy and all parts of the plant smell very fetid and unpleasant odor.

Just before its flowering season, stalk of the plant cut close to the roots and from these cuttings a milky substance oozes out, which dries to form resin. This procedure lasts for three months from the first incision. In this time the plant yields more than two pounds of resin. Fruits are flat, thin, oval and reddish brown in color. Plant of asafetida is self – fertilizing and has both male and female flowers that are pollinated by means of insects.

Habitat

Asafetida is mainly native to Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan and this herb is exported to all parts of world. In India it is wildly grown in Kashmir.

Classification

Kingdom
Plantae

Family
Apiaceae

Order
Apiales

Vernacular Names

English– Devil’s dung, Food of god
Hindi– Heeng, Hing
Telugu– Inguva
Bengali– Hing
Kannada– Hingu
Marathi– Hing
Gujarati– Badharani
Tamil– Perungayam
Malayalam– Rungayam

Farsi– Angajah, Angoj
Arabic– Hilteel
French– Assa foetida, Ferulr perisque
German– Asafotida, Stinkender asant
Italian– Assafetida
Spanish– Asafetida
Afghan– Kama-i-anguza
Turkish– Seyan tersi

Ayurvedic Properties

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Katu	Taste	Pungent
Guna	Laghu, Snigdha, Teekshan	Physical Property	Light, Unctuous, Piercing
Virya	Ushna	Potency	Hot
Vipaka	Katu	Metabolic Property (After Digestion)	Pungent

Effects on Doshas

It balances kapha and vata dosha.

Charak Samhita	Sushrut Samhita	Vagbhata
Deepneya – Herb used to improve appetite and digestion. Shvashara – Herb used to cure asthma and other respiratory disorders. Sanjnasthapana – Herb that are useful to restore consciousness. Katuskanda – herbs which are pungent in taste.	Pipalyadi gana, Ushkayadi gana	Pippalyadi gana

Practical uses of Ferula Assafoetida

It is an amazing spice for treating stomach ailments. It is antispasmodic and used to cure abdominal pain, intestinal problems, flatulence, upset stomach, worm infestation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Being anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antibiotic in nature and it is used to cure 7various ailments like asthma, cough, common cold, whooping cough and various respiratory disorders. It acts as stimulant for respiratory tract and helpful to expel out extra phlegm and chest congestion from body.
It is boon for female health and helps to relieve menstrual pain and used to cure heavy menstrual blood flow and irregular menstruation. It is used to boost progesterone hormone and provides a smooth menstrual blood flow.
Headaches and migraines are very common problem in today’s busy schedules. Hingu is used to reduce inflammation of blood vessels and used to relieve headaches.
Asafetida also has abortifacient properties and it is used to induce abortion.
It is also used as antidote for opium.
Hing contains high amount of coumarins which are used to reduce blood clotting. This herb is anti-coagulant in nature that helps body to fight against high cholesterol levels and very helpful in reducing high blood pressure level.
It helps to stimulate nervous system and used to cure various disorders like syncope, hysteria and convulsions.
Hing is very powerful anti-oxidant and protects body from the effect of various free radicals. This herb helps pancreas to secrete more insulin and helps to reduce high sugar levels.
Hing is used to pacify vata and kapha dosha.

Parts used

Resins

Oil obtained from resins

Arial parts – stem, leaves and flowers

Dosage

Powdered resins – 0.3 to 1gm
Tea – 1-2 cups
Tincture – ½ to 1 teaspoon daily

Cautions

It is not indicated during pregnancy because induces abortion.
Excess of intake causes swelling of lips, nausea, vomiting and burning sensation.
External use may cause irritation and skin rashes.