Asafoetida is a gum resin extracted from the plant Ferula. It has three main components, resin, gum, and essential oil.
Since ancient times, it has been used as a spice and a medicine.
As a spice, asafoetida infuses foods with intense flavor, color, and pungency, turning them into attractive and palatable ones. It is hence commonly found in Indian kitchens and is used in a variety of dishes.
However, this blog will not discuss the culinary benefits of Asafoetida but rather focus on its lesser-discussed medicinal properties.
Asafoetida medicinal values
There has been much emphasis on finding new therapeutic agents from medicinal plants in recent years.
There is a growing trend of people using medicinal plants instead of chemical drugs today.
As with other herbs and spices, Asafoetida has been studied extensively, and the following are some findings.
Helps relax muscles
Asafoetida has been shown to relax smooth muscles, a type of muscle tissue that lines the inside of organs and performs essential bodily functions.
As an example, relaxed smooth muscles help move waste through the intestines and aid in digestion, relaxed airway smooth muscles help treat asthma and expand the lungs when we breathe, and relaxed blood vessels regulate blood pressure.
Aids in Neuropathy & Neurodegenerative diseases
A few scientific studies have shown that Asafoetida may have neuroprotective properties.
Asafoetida may stimulate nerves damaged by peripheral neuropathy.
The use of Asafoetida may be effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Additionally, it may slow cognitive decline by reducing oxidative stress. The anti-oxidant properties of it’s extracts and their ability to reduce oxidative stress may help improve memory and act as anti-seizure medications.
Improves digestion
Spices are generally considered to improve the digestion of food by increasing the secretion of lipase in the mouth (saliva) and pancreas (gastric juices). Asafoetida is one prominent spice that serves this purpose. By increasing bile acid secretion and digestive enzymes in the pancreas and small intestine, it facilitates fat digestion.
Improves liver health
Asafoetida may reduce levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, which are indicators of liver damage.
Fights pathogens
Studies have indicated that Asafoetida may be antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial. It appears to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Aspergillus niger.
Asafoetida is anticarcinogenic
The use of Asafoetida has been shown to reduce the size and weight of tumors. As a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body against free radicals, fights cancer cells, and prevents cancer from spreading.
Manages blood glucose levels
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that can cause retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Asafoetida has been shown to reduce fasting glucose levels and HbA1C levels in diabetic rats.
Has fat-lowering effect
Studies on rats treated with Asafoetida extracts found that their weight and body fat significantly decreased. Fatty liver disease can be prevented by asafoetida’s anti-obesity activity and fat-lowering properties.
Can treat anxiety disorders
Asafoetida proved to be a better alternative for treating anxiety disorders in rats. A low dose of Asafoetida is an effective alternative to current anxiety medications.
Asafoetida and Doshas
Let us now discuss how Asafoetida relates to our Doshas. We discussed Doshas in the blog Discover the hidden truth about yourself!. In Ayurveda, there is a relationship between different tastes of food and our Doshas. We discussed this in detail the blog Eat your way to good health!.
Asafoetida spice is pungent in taste. Pungent taste contains Fire and Air elements that contribute to its light, drying, and heating effects.
Moderate consumption of the spice pacifies kapha, but long-term excessive consumption may aggravate pitta (increases body heat) and vata (increases gas/air in the body).
The Pungent taste is related to the stomach and heart. In moderation, the taste improves digestion and circulation.
Summary
A rich source of antioxidants, Asafoetida has many health benefits, including digestive support. There is, however, a need for further research in humans.
According to Ayurveda, it is light, drying, and heating in nature. As a result, people with vata and pitta dosha must limit their intake over the long term to prevent aggravation dosha.