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Home > Nutrition > 8 Impressive Health Benefits of Asafoetida

8 Impressive Health Benefits of Asafoetida

September 6, 2022
7 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Health Benefits of Asafoetida
  • How to Consume Asafoetida
  • Precautions to Consider
  • Most-Asked Questions About Asafoetida
  • Final Word

Asafoetida is a gum resin obtained from the Ferula plant. It is used as a spice and medicine in many cultures. Native to Iran and Afghanistan, it is now commonly used in many South Asian recipes.

health benefits of asafoetida (hing)

In India, it is commonly referred to as hing. Generally, it is used in powder form, but blocks of hing are also available. It has a pungent odor and is also sometimes called devil’s dung.

Asafoetida is used for the treatment of diseases including whopping cough, asthma, ulcers, epilepsy, stomachache, flatulence, bronchitis, parasitic infection, indigestion, and influenza.

Health Benefits of Asafoetida

Here are some of the health benefits of this little spice.

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1. Acts as a digestive aid

Spices are considered to be good adjuncts in improving digestive health.

Asafoetida improves the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas. (1) It has also been studied for its role in managing indigestion.

People supplemented with asafoetida reported an overall improvement in their symptoms such as bloating, feeling of fullness, heartburn, and constipation, with a positive impact on their quality of life. (2)

2. May help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

asafoetida consumption can help reduce the symptoms of IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition with symptoms that include bloating, flatulence, indigestion, abdominal pain or discomfort, and either constipation or diarrhea or both. (3)

Asafoetida may be helpful in easing the symptoms of IBS as evidence shows it promotes digestion.

Research is limited on the direct impact of this spice on IBS, though one small study did report improvement in IBS symptoms upon asafoetida supplementation for up to 2 weeks. (4)

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3. May lower blood pressure

Asafoetida has muscle relaxant abilities, (1) which may reduce high blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of the blood vessels. In animal studies, asafoetida did lower blood pressure induced by medication. (5)

4. May play a role in diabetes management

asafoetida consumption can be beneficial in diabetes management

Animal studies have found asafoetida to be beneficial for diabetes. It improved insulin secretion and had a protective effect on the pancreatic beta cells, where insulin is produced. (6)

However, dosages at which asafoetida can be useful in humans are still being investigated.

5. May support nerve and brain function

Some reports suggest the protective role asafoetida plays on nerves and their stimulation. (1)

Brain cells of rats fed with asafoetida extracts showed less cellular damage and cell death. (7) Asafoetida also improved learning and memory ability in mice, while also reducing neuronal injuries and oxidative stress in the brain. (8) These effects are useful in preventing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

It is pertinent to note that the amounts of this spice used in cooking are too little to exert these benefits and the role and dosage of asafoetida supplementation in humans are still being investigated.

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6. Helps fight infections

Asafoetida has been used to treat various types of infections caused by fungi and bacteria. Studies found that extracts of asafoetida showed beneficial impacts against several strains of bacteria. (1)(9)

7. May help in asthma management

asafoetida consumption can help deal with asthma symptoms

Asafoetida has a relaxant effect on the smooth muscle cells of the lungs. (1) This helps in easing the constriction and bringing back airflow into the lungs.

The oil in the gum resin of asafoetida is useful in clearing mucus from the lungs and is used as a treatment for asthma in many cultures. (10) Studies on its dosage in humans are, however, limited.

8. Shows some cancer-protective activity

The antioxidant, anticancer, and chemoprotective effects of asafoetida may be useful as an adjunct in the prevention and treatment of cancer. (1) Test-tube studies showed that asafoetida inhibited the growth of cancer cells. (11)

However, using a natural remedy for cancer treatment with limited research among humans is strongly not advised.

How to Consume Asafoetida

Asafoetida can be used in cooking along with other spices.

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Some supplements of asafoetida are also available for the management of several conditions. However, it is recommended not to consume any supplement without first consulting your doctor.

Precautions to Consider

  • In a study to evaluate the toxicity of asafoetida, rats fed with large doses ranging from 25 to 200 mg per kg body weight for 6 weeks indicated some amount of toxicity in liver cells and an increase in liver enzymes. (12)
  • The potential therapeutic benefits of asafoetida are witnessed at significant doses. However, it is not recommended to consume large quantities of this spice to treat or manage a chronic condition.

Most-Asked Questions About Asafoetida

How much asafoetida should I use?

how much asafoetida (hing) should you use?

Using ¼ tsp of the spice is acceptable for cooking. It can be used in main meals or as part of salad dressings.

Can I use asafoetida in pregnancy?

Use of asafoetida is not recommended when pregnant or lactating, due to the lack of research and evidence on its safety and consumption in such conditions.

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Can asafoetida be applied to the skin or wounds?

Though some people use asafoetida powder as an ingredient in face masks, it is recommended not to do so as most times the powder is blended with additional ingredients to avoid clumping.

The spice may not be sterile and devoid of microorganisms and thus may exacerbate infections. Therefore, avoid direct application of asafoetida to the skin.

Final Word

Asafoetida, like many other spices, may prove to be beneficial in the management of several conditions. Famed for its use in indigestion and other stomach ailments, it is also used as a treatment for asthma symptoms. This little spice also exhibits some antioxidant activity along with lowering blood pressure.

One of the most important points to consider before using asafoetida is the lack of human trials and evidence establishing a dose that may be useful therapeutically. Remember, natural remedies are not meant to replace medication or treatment, but should be used as adjuncts to a holistic treatment plan.

References
  1. Amalraj A, Gopi S. Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2016;7(3):347-359. Published 2016 Dec 20. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.11.004.
  2. Mala KN, Thomas J, Syam DS, Maliakel B, Krishnakumar IM. Safety and Efficacy of Ferula asafoetida in Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:4813601. Published 2018 Aug 26. doi:10.1155/2018/4813601.
  3. Weaver KR, Melkus GD, Henderson WA. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Am J Nurs. 2017;117(6):48-55. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000520253.57459.01.
  4. Peckham EJ, Nelson EA, Greenhalgh J, Cooper K, Roberts ER, Agrawal A. Homeopathy for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):CD009710. Published 2013 Nov 13. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009710.pub2.
  5. Kazemi F, Mohebbati R, Niazmand S, Shafei MN. Antihypertensive Effects of Standardized Asafoetida: Effect on Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II. Adv Biomed Res. 2020;9:77. Published 2020 Dec 23. doi:10.4103/abr.abr_106_20.
  6. Abu-Zaiton AS. Anti-diabetic activity of Ferula assafoetida extract in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Pak J Biol Sci. 2010;13(2):97-100. doi:10.3923/pjbs.2010.97.100.
  7. Tayeboon GS, Tavakoli F, Hassani S, Khanavi M, Sabzevari O, Ostad SN. Effects of Cymbopogon citratus and Ferula assa-foetida extracts on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2013;49(9):706-715. doi:10.1007/s11626-013-9656-7.
  8. Huang Q, Zhang C, Dong S, et al. Asafoetida exerts neuroprotective effect on oxidative stress induced apoptosis through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Chin Med. 2022;17(1):83. Published 2022 Jul 6. doi:10.1186/s13020-022-00630-7.
  9. Niazmand R, Razavizadeh BM. Ferula asafoetida: chemical composition, thermal behavior, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and gum hydroalcoholic extracts. J Food Sci Technol. 2021;58(6):2148-2159. doi:10.1007/s13197-020-04724-8.
  10. Mahendra P, Bisht S. Ferula asafoetida: Traditional uses and pharmacological activity. Pharmacogn Rev. 2012;6(12):141-146. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.99948.
  11. Bagheri SM, Asl AA, Shams A, Mirghanizadeh-Bafghi SA, Hafizibarjin Z. Evaluation of Cytotoxicity Effects of Oleo-Gum-Resin and Its Essential Oil of Ferula assa-foetida and Ferulic Acid on 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2017;38(2):116-120. doi:10.4103/ijmpo.ijmpo_60_16.
  12. Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Mirjalily A, Rezvani ME. Evaluation of Toxicity Effects of Asafetida on Biochemical, Hematological, and Histological Parameters in Male Wistar Rats. Toxicol Int. 2015;22(1):61-65. doi:10.4103/0971-6580.172258.
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