Asafoetida is actually gum resin, which is used as a flavoring enhancer, food preservative, and aroma agent. It has a bad smell and tastes bitter, which why it is sometimes called “devil’s dung.” Its other names include - giant fennel, stinking gum, or hing (in India). The active compounds from its resin contain fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorous that enriches the human body. It is used as a folk remedy for carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative diuretic, anthelmintic and aphrodisiac purposes. Discover some of these benefits below.

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1. Alleviates Stomach Disorders

Asafoetida is an amazing spice that treats various kinds of stomach problems. It has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti flatulent properties that helps to alleviate problems like indigestion, upset stomach, intestinal gas, intestinal worms, flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and clean the digestive system. It is also known to be useful in treating food poisoning.

A convenient way to fight stomach disorders is by eating asafoetida based digestive aid, know more here

2. Relief from Respiratory Problems

It has anti inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic effects, which are why it is often used to treat respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, hoarse throat, dry cough, whooping cough and colds. Additionally being a potent respiratory stimulant and expectorant, it helps to release phlegm and relieve chest congestion naturally.

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3. Soothes Headaches

Asafoetida helps to prevent and treat headache due to a common cold or a migraine. It is due to its anti-inflammatory properties, that it helps to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which provide relief from headaches.

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4. Relieves Earaches

The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of this spice can help to relieve from earache caused by infection.

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5. Controls Blood pressure

Additionally, it lowers the blood cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides formed due to excessive fat consumption, which increase the risk of hypertension. It is packed with coumarins, the compounds that act as an anticoagulant and further help to lower blood pressure

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6. Treatment of Insect Stings

It is very beneficial in treating stings of bees, wasps and other insects. It relieves from topical pain and inflammation. It is also known to reduce the toxic effects. In fact, traditionally because of its pungent smell, asafoetida is used in insect repellant products to ward off mosquitoes, gnats and other insects.

Lemongrass essential oil is also beneficial in insect stings, click here to know more.

7. Helps with Women’s Problems.

It is really a boon for women, as it helps women in particular extensively. It helps to relieve from menstrual pain, irregular menstruation and heavy blood flow during menstruation. It boosts progesterone secretion, promotes smoother blood flow and has anti-inflammatory compounds, thereby providing immense relief from female issues. Apart from this, it aids in the prevention and recovery from candida infection and leucorrhoea (thick white/yellow coloured discharge from the vagina). In traditional medicine, asafoetida is also considered to have contraceptive properties and is used for contraception.

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8. Prevents Skin Blemishes

Asafoetida is very effective in treating skin blemishes. Due the presence of powerful anti-inflammatory agents and property to inhibit the growth of bacteria, it is also helpful to treat acne spots and skin ailments like corns and calluses.

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9. Anti – Diabetic

Asafoetida stimulates the pancreatic cells to secrete more insulin, which in turn decreases your blood sugar levels thus helping to fight diabetes.

It helps in digestion, thus the pancreas work optimally, click here to know more

1. Prevents Cancer

Research proves that asafoetida compounds like umbrella prenin and ferulic acid have anti-carcinogenic properties that stop the growth of malignant cells and thus prevent cancer. Also it is a powerful antioxidant, which protects the body from free radicals, which also increase the risk of cancer. 

Walnuts are known to destroy cancer cells, click here to know more

Asafoetida has numerous health benefits, which makes it an indispensable ingredient. It also adds flavor and pungent taste to food. But pregnant women and people suffering from blood clotting problems should be cautious when taking asafoetida separately.

You can know more about this amazing spice here