Asafoetida
Asafoetida (asafetida), is a resinous gum obtained from the roots of Ferula, a genus of perennial herbs native to the Middle East and Central Asia.
It has a pungent smell that is often compared to rotten garlic or onions. Asafoetida has been used in traditional cuisines and medicine for its purported health benefits. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and expectorant properties. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used to treat digestive issues, respiratory problems, and menstrual cramps.
Asafoetida, also known as hing, is a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is available in two main forms: sweet and bitter. Here are the key differences between the two:
Sweet Asafoetida
Composition: Mainly contains gum and sulfur compounds, without coumarin compounds.
Flavor Profile: Has a sharp pungency and is often used in Indian cooking to add depth and umami flavor to dishes.
Usage: Typically used in combination with other spices, such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom, and fennel seeds, to temper its bitterness and funk.
Bitter Asafoetida
Composition: In addition to sulfur compounds, it contains coumarin compounds.
Flavor Profile: Lacks the sharp pungency of sweet asafoetida and has a more candy-like sweetness, but is indeed much bitterer.
Usage: Can be used in similar ways to sweet asafoetida, but its unique flavor profile may be more suitable for certain dishes or recipes.
Both forms of asafoetida are used in cuisine, and the choice between them often depends on personal preference and the specific dish being prepared.
Asafoetida, contains several active ingredients that contribute to its various biological and pharmacological properties. The main constituents of asafoetida include:
- Resin: Comprising 40-64% of the oleo-gum-resin, the resin fraction contains ferulic acid and its esters, coumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, and other terpenoids.
- Gum: The gum portion accounts for 25% of the oleo-gum-resin and includes glucose, galactose, l-arabinose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins.
- Volatile Oil: The essential oil fraction makes up 10-17% of the oleo-gum-resin and contains sulfur-containing compounds, monoterpenes, and other volatile terpenoids.
- Sulfur Compounds: The major sulfur constituents identified in asafoetida resin include 2-butyl 1-propenyl disulfide, 1-(methyl thio) propyl 1-propenyl disulfide, and 2-butyl 3-(methyl thio)-2-propenyl disulfide.
- Phenolic Compounds: Asafoetida contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, such as tannins and flavonoids, which are known for their potent antioxidant effects.
These active ingredients are responsible for asafoetida’s diverse biological and pharmacological activities, including its antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, cancer chemopreventive, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, hypotensive, and molluscicidal properties.
Here are some health benefits of asafetida:
- Digestive Benefits: Helps relieve digestive issues like gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and flatulence due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. May have therapeutic effects that could be beneficial for treating stomach ulcers.
- Respiratory Benefits: Acts as an expectorant to relieve chest congestion. May help relieve respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, and dry cough due to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
- Antioxidant Properties: Contains high amounts of antioxidants like phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Other Potential Benefits: May help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels (animal studies only). Exhibits potential anticancer effects against certain cancer cells like breast and liver cancer (animal and test-tube studies only). May protect brain health and safeguard against memory loss and nerve damage (animal studies only). May help lower blood sugar levels (animal study only).
We are proud to offer high-quality asafetida to international markets. If you are interested in sourcing asafetida from our company, we invite you to contact us today. Our experienced team would be happy to discuss your specific requirements and provide more information about our export capabilities and product offerings.
Here are some different names for asafetida:
Scientific Names
– Ferula asafoetida
– Ferula foetida
Common Names
– Devil’s dung
– Stinking gum
– Food of the gods
Regional Names
– Hing (Hindi, Urdu)
– Ingu (Kannada)
– Perungayam (Tamil)
– Kayam (Malayalam)
– Hing (Gujarati)
– Heeng (Punjabi)
– Anguza (Persian)
– Anjudan (Arabic)