Asafoetida

                                              


Asafoetida is a perennial plant which grows upto to 6 feet tall and has a fleshy taproot.

Asafoetida or hing as it is Indian languages is also known as the stinking gum because of its strong flavour.

 Asafoetida is a dried latex which is extracted from the living underground rhizome or tap root of the perennial herd , Ferula. It is available in the market in the form of brick, piece, or powder form.

Asafoetida is an important ingredient in  most of the Indian recipes for flavouring indian curry , pickles. 

Its health benefits are manifold :

Asafoetida is added to curries , Indian Daals for aiding indigestion. 

It is added to buttermilk and drunk to get relief from flatulence.

It is used to relieve chest congestion and release of phlegm by mixing a pinch of 
asafoetida , honey and ginger and consumed orally.

It is considered helpful for women  with menstrual cramps.

Due to its strong pungent smell , it is used in insect and mosquito repellent.  

It has an additional benefit of lowering cholesterol.


                             
Asafoetida in brick form and powder.
                                                                                         Asafoetida plant.



                                         For  :  ABC Wednesday

                               Thank you Densie Nesbitt and Roger.


Information and pictures courtesy Google.