Hingu - Asafoetida (the devil's dung)

Have you come across asafoetida? If you have you will know how potent it actually is and there is no wonder, why it is referred to as the ‘devil’s dung’. A specialist compound is found in every Indian household spice tin. It has an aromatic, sulphuric and astringent quality.

Hingu is pungent in taste (katu), light, oily and sharp in qualities and has a pungent post digestive effect with a heating potency. Therefore, it can be useful in balancing kapha and vata.

Hingu (ferula asafoetida) is actually an oleo gum resin that is the end product of latex that has been extracted by an incision made to the living tap root or rhizomes of the Ferula asafoetida plant – predominantly found in India, Pakistan, and the Iranian and Afghanistan species are considered the optimal quality.  Asafoetida can easily be found in a natural gum form but the powdered version is most commonly found and used in cooking. The resin first needs to be purified by heating it in an iron vessel with some ghee so that it can become purified.

It is only used in small quantities and would be used with or in place of onion and garlic. It is a powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in its properties.

Digestion

Due to is rich fibre content, asafoetida has powerful benefits in treating many digestive issues including gastritis, gas, bloating and flatulence. It can be useful in clearing intestinal parasites due to its anti-microbial effect.

Even in young infants, this can be used medicinally to help relieve colic pain by soothing the mucosal lining in the GI tract.

Respiratory

This resin can have a positive impact on asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, chest congestion and helps clear excess mucous from respiratory tract.

Menstrual Issues

This resin is a real boon for women who are suffering from menstrual pains or cramps. It can help in regulating menstruation and managing heavy flow due to its natural blood thinning properties.

Headaches

Asafoetida is naturally anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the inflammation in the blood vessels in the head and subsequently reducing headaches.

Cardiac Health

The anti-coagulant property of hing helps to prevent the blood from clotting in the arteries  and therefore reducing blood pressure.

ENT

The antibacterial, antioxidant and inti-inflammatory properties can really help to alleviate tooth pain and tooth infections as well as earaches and infections.

Cancer

Due to the strong antioxidant properties this compound can help protect the body from damage cause by free radicals.

Reproductive health

Hing stimulates hormonal activity particularly of progesterone in females and acts as an aphrodisiac, and can help in case if infertility and premature births.

Diabetes

Hing has the ability to control the release of insulin and helps to control bloody sugar levels.

Insect Bites

Particularly useful in all types of insect bite especially bee and wasp stings.

Hinguwastak

A special formulation comprised 8 ingredient (predominantly of hing) including dry ginger, black salt, black pepper, long pepper, black cumin, white cumin and carom seeds. This special blend is great as a digestive and carminative for digestion, bloating, constipation and more. You can take this with warm water at the start of your meals (consult your practitioner).

Use with caution, especially in pregnancy.