The Scientific name of Asafoetida Plant: Ferula Narthex
Name in different languages:-
English: Stinking gum, Devil’s dung.
Sanscrit: Hingu, Agudagandhu, Badhika.
Hindi: Hing
Malayalam: Kayam കായം, Perungayam
Plant description of Asafoetida
Devil’s dung or Asafoetida is a perennial plant, which grows up to 2 m tall, with large bipinnate leaves and developing a fleshy rootstock. The inflorescence is the 5th year of its growth, the flowering stem is 10 cm thick and 3 m tall. Flowers are yellow and found in axillary umbels, in a clustered form.
Asafoetida-Devil’s dung or Hingu is prepared from the roots of the plant, a resin or gum-like material comes out of the cuts of the living root and is collected and solidified, which is black in color, bitter in taste, and with a bad smell. It is used as an ingredient in many of Ayurveda medicine.
Leaf Arrangement of Asafoetida
| Shape-Acicular |
Margin-Entire |
Venation-Parallel |
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Useful plant parts:
Gummy resin
Medicinal uses:
It is beneficial in the treatments of asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, H1N1-swine flu, and asthma, Gastric disorders like intestinal gas, constipation, upset stomach, IBS, irritable colon, and mental disorders such as hysteria, insanity, convulsions, and used as a nerve stimulant, depression with physical fatigue, and control cholesterol and High BP.
Ayurvedic uses of Asafoetida
- Digestive Health: Asafoetida is renowned in Ayurveda for its digestive properties. It is used to alleviate digestive issues like flatulence, bloating, and indigestion. It aids in the digestion process by stimulating digestive enzymes.
- Anti-flatulent: It is considered a powerful anti-flatulent agent. Asafoetida helps in reducing gas formation in the digestive tract, making it useful for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Respiratory Disorders: In Ayurveda, asafoetida is used to address respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and cough. It is believed to have expectorant properties, helping to expel mucus from the respiratory system.
- Nervous System: Some Ayurvedic practitioners believe that asafoetida has a calming effect on the nervous system, which may be beneficial for conditions related to nervous disorders.
- Antispasmodic Properties: Asafoetida is considered to have antispasmodic properties. It can help relax and ease muscle contractions, making it beneficial for conditions like menstrual cramps.
- Blood Pressure Regulation: It is believed to have properties that may help regulate blood pressure. However, this should be used under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
- Anti-inflammatory: Asafoetida is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can be useful for conditions characterized by inflammation.
- Antimicrobial Properties: It is believed to possess antimicrobial properties, which may help in preventing or treating infections.
- Menstrual Disorders: Asafoetida is used in Ayurvedic practices to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramps. It is believed to have properties that are beneficial for women’s health.
- Pain Relief: Due to its analgesic properties, asafoetida may be used topically or internally to alleviate various types of pain.
- Stomach Worms: Asafoetida is believed to have anthelmintic properties, which can be beneficial in expelling intestinal worms.
- Aphrodisiac: In some Ayurvedic formulations, asafoetida is used as an aphrodisiac to enhance sexual health and desire.
Chemical Contents:
Coumarins
Medicinal Properties:
Digestive agent, Nervous stimulant, Sedative.
How to prepare medicines:
Used as an ingredient in the Ayurveda medicines like:-
Learn more:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459456/
Tags:
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