Asafoetida ~ Ferula assafoetida

Asafoetida

Latin name: Ferula assafoetida

Family: Umbelliferae

Part used: oleo-gum-resin

Habitat: native to S.W. Asia, grown in India, Iran, and Afghanistan

Main constituents: resins, volatile oil, gum, coumarins

Energetics: pungent

Main herbal actions: antispasmodic, expectorant, carminative

Minor herbal actions: hypotensive, anticoagulant

Main medicinal uses: nervous disorders, coughs, bronchitis, asthma

Minor medicinal uses: flatulence

Preparations: tincture: 3-5 ml tid; milk of asafetida: 2 drachms of gum mixed with ½ pint of water; taken po one ounce at a time;

Contraindications: unknown

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/cook/NARTHEX_ASAFOETIDA.htm