Asafoetida is a popular ingredient of many spicy dishes, used in different national cuisines. This herb, which cannot be consumed raw because of its very pungent and unpleasant smell, offers several significant health benefits.
About asafoetida
Asafoetida, also called devil’s dung, asant or stinky gum, is a perennial plant native to the Middle East. Most people would think twice before adding it to their dishes because when it is raw, asafoetida has a very unpleasant smell, but when it is cooked, it becomes very fragrant and actually enhances the aroma of other foods.
In addition, if consumed raw, asafoetida can cause quite a few side effects, like diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, which is why it is only used in form of a powder.
The part of this herb that is suitable for human consumption is gum resin from the root of the plant that has to be at least four years old. The gum is usually extracted in the summer, by cutting away successive slices from the root, where the gum is accumulated. The gum is used for cooking and for making herbal remedies.
Health benefits of asafoetida
Asafoetida can be very beneficial for people who suffer from asthma or bronchitis, and also for whooping cough, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. People who have these problems should mix one teaspoon of asafoetida powder, mix it with two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of betel leaf juice, and also with just a bit of onion juice. This mixture should be taken whenever respiratory problems or asthma attacks occur.
This herb also has antispasmodic properties, which makes it effective against bowel spasms. It is also very effective against intestinal worms and other parasites.
Asafoetida also treats problems like weakness, fatigue and candidiasis.
Women can greatly benefit from asafoetida powder, as it is very helpful with menstrual problems, cramping, premature labor, sterility and leucorrhea. Nursing women, who are often prone to flatulence, should use it too.
Asafoetida is also highly recommended for men who struggle with impotency.
One of the most common uses of asafoetida is to treat toothache, and it has been proven to be very effective against this problem. A cotton swab dabbed in a mixture of asafoetida powder and lemon juice can relieve the pain almost instantly, especially if it occurs at night.
Interestingly, asafoetida can be used to treat opium addiction, because it acts as an antidote. It is also used to treat hypertension, high cholesterol and even hysteria. In addition, some people use the whole asafoetida plant as an insect repellent, because of its pungent smell.
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