Medicinal Uses (Asafetida) —
If you think medicines stink and spices smell good, you may regard asafetida as more medicine than food. Like those unrelated alliums, this is loaded with sulfureous medicinal compounds, some of which are called mercaptans. Some superstitious types hang asafetida (as was done with garlic) around the neck to ward off colds and infectious diseases (RIN). Reported to be analgesic, antispasmodic, aperient, aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, laxative, nervine, sedative, stimulant, and vermifuge. Asafetida seems to have hypotensive activity and antiaggregant activity, slowing blood clotting (like the similar smelling garlic). “Herbal Highs” recommends 1/2 teaspoon in warm water as a tranquilizer. Malays take asafetida for abdominal trouble, broken bones, and rheumatism. Javanese use it for stomachache and worms. Asafetida is used as an enema for intestinal flatulence. Homeopathically used for gas, osteosis, and stomach cramps (CRC).
Sulfur compounds in the oil may protect against fat-induced hyperlipidemia. Two double-blind studies report asafetida useful for IBS (just below 5% significance level in one, near 1% in the other) (CAN). That might seem odd when one considers that Desai and Kalro (1985) demonstrated under their experimental conditions that powdered black pepper does not damage the gastric mucosa, but that Ferula does, based on the rate of exfoliation of human gastric mucosa surface epithelial cells.
Saleem et al. (2001) show that asafetida inhibits early events of carcinogenesis, but they may have been studying a closely related species. They report antioxidant and anticarcinogenic potential of asafoetida (Ferula narthex to them) in mice. Pretreatment of animals with asafoetida can protect against free radical mediated carcinogenesis. Unnikrishnan and Kuttan (1990) claim that oral extracts of black pepper, asafetida, pippali, and garlic could increase the life span in mice by 64.7%, 52.9%, 47%, and 41.1%, respectively. Such results suggest the use of spices as anticancer agents and antitumor promoters.
According to Sambaiah and Srinivasan (1989), asafetida stimulated liver microsomal cyto-chrome p450 dependent aryl hydroxylase. Asafetida increased glutathione-S-transferase activity >78% in esophagus, liver, and stomach, enough to be considered chemopreventive (JAC7:405). Aruna and Sivaramakrishnan (1990) and Patel and Srinivasan (1985) suggest that asafetida decreased levels of phosphatase and sucrase activities.
The gum may induce contact dermatitis. Generally not regarded as toxic. Ingestion of 15 g produced no untoward effects, but related Ferula sumbul has produced narcosis at 15 g. Approved by FDA for use in food (§182.20, CRC).
Indications (Asafetida) —
Amenorrhea (f; CRC); Angina (f; KAB); Arthrosis (1; BOW); Ascites (f; KAB); Asthma (1; APA; CRC; FNF; WOI); Bacteria (1; FNF); Bite (f; KAB); Bronchosis (1; APA; CAN; WOI); Callus (f; JLH); Cancer (1; APA; FNF; PH2); Cancer, abdomen (1; APA); Cancer, colon (f; KAB); Cancer, gum (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; KAB); Caries (f; KAB); Cholera
(f; CRC; SKJ; WOI); Colic (f; APA; CAN; CRC); Cold (f; TAD); Colitis (f; APA; PHR; PH2); Conjunctivosis (f; KAB); Constipation (f; PH2); Convulsion (f; BOW; CRC); Corn (f; JLH); Cough
(f; BOW; PNC); Cramp (1; CAN; CRC; FNF; SKJ); Croup (f; CRC); Deafness (f; KAB); Dermatosis (f; KAB); Diarrhea (f; PH2); Dysentery (f; BOW); Dyspepsia (1; APA; CAN; FNF; PH2); Dyspnea
(f; KAB); Enterosis (f; APA; CRC; PH2); Epilepsy (f; APA; CRC; PH2; WOI); Felon (f; JLH); Fracture (f; CRC); Frigidity (f; APA); Fungus (f; APA); Gas (1; APA; CAN; CRC; HHB; PNC; WOI); Gastrosis
(f; PHR; PH2); Gingivosis (f; JLH); Hemiplegia (f; CRC); Hepatosis (f; JLH; PH2); High Blood
Pressure (f; DAA); Hyperlipidemia (f; CAN); Hypoacidity (f; PH2); Hypoglycemia (f; APA); Hysteria (f; APA; CAN; WOI); IBS (2; CAN); Impotence (f; APA); Indigestion (1; APA; CAN); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (f; PHR; PH2); Inflammation (1; FNF; KAB); Insanity (f; CRC); Insomnia (f; PHR); Jaundice (f; KAB); Laryngismus (f; CAN); Mucososis (1; APA; CAN); Mycosis (f; KAB); Nervousness (1; FNF); Neurasthenia (f; CRC; DAA); Neurosis (1; APA); Obesity (1; CRC; FNF); Ophthalmia (f; KAB); Osteosis (f; CRC); Pain (1; FNF); Paralysis (f; KAB); Parasite (f; PH2); Pertussis (f; CAN; CRC; PH2; WOI); Pneumonia (f; KAB; SKJ); Polyp (f; CRC); Rheumatism (f; CRC; KAB); Rinderpest (f; CRC); Ringworm (f; KAB); Sarcoma (f; CRC); Snakebite (f; KAB); Sore Throat (f; KAB); Spasm (f; CRC); Splenosis (f; CRC; PH2); Stomachache (1; APA; CRC); Thrombosis (1; CAN; FNF; PNC); Tumor (1; APA; FNF); Wart (f; JLH); Whitlow (f; JLH); Worm (f; CRC).
Asafetida for cancer:
• AntiHIV: diallyl-disulfide; luteolin
• Antiaggregant: ferulic-acid
• Anticancer: alpha-pinene; alpha-terpineol; diallyl-disulfide; ferulic-acid; isopimpinellin; luteolin; umbelliferone; vanillin
• Anticarcinogenic: ferulic-acid; luteolin
• Antihepatotoxic: ferulic-acid; glucuronic-acid
• Antihyaluronidase: luteolin
• Antiinflammatory: alpha-pinene; azulene; beta-pinene; ferulic-acid; isopimpinellin; luteolin; umbelliferone
• Antileukemic: luteolin
• Antimutagenic: diallyl-sulfide; ferulic-acid; luteolin; umbelliferone; vanillin
• Antineoplastic: ferulic-acid
• Antinitrosaminic: ferulic-acid
• Antioxidant: ferulic-acid; luteolin; vanillin
• Antiproliferative: diallyl-disulfide
• Antiprostaglandin: umbelliferone
• Antitumor: diallyl-disulfide; diallyl-sulfide; ferulic-acid; luteolin; vanillin
• Antiviral: alpha-pinene; diallyl-disulfide; ferulic-acid; luteolin; vanillin
• Apoptotic: luteolin
• Beta-Glucuronidase-Inhibitor: luteolin
• Cytotoxic: luteolin
• Hepatoprotective: ferulic-acid; luteolin
• Immunostimulant: diallyl-disulfide; ferulic-acid
• Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor: luteolin; umbelliferone
• Ornithine-Decarboxylase-Inhibitor: ferulic-acid
• PTK-Inhibitor: luteolin
• Prostaglandigenic: ferulic-acid
• Protein-Kinase-C-Inhibitor: luteolin
• Sunscreen: ferulic-acid; umbelliferone
Asafetida for IBD:
• Analgesic: ferulic-acid
• Antibacterial: alpha-pinene; alpha-terpineol; azulene; diallyl-disulfide; diallyl-sulfide; ferulic-acid; luteolin; umbelliferone
• Antiinflammatory: alpha-pinene; azulene; beta-pinene; ferulic-acid; isopimpinellin; luteolin; umbelliferone
• Antioxidant: ferulic-acid; luteolin; vanillin
• Antiseptic: alpha-terpineol; azulene; beta-pinene; diallyl-sulfide; umbelliferone
• Antispasmodic: azulene; ferulic-acid; luteolin; umbelliferone; valeric-acid
• Antiulcer: azulene
• Diuretic: isopimpinellin; luteolin
• Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor: luteolin; umbelliferone
• Myorelaxant: luteolin; valeric-acid
• Sedative: alpha-pinene; alpha-terpineol; valeric-acid
• Tranquilizer: alpha-pinene; valeric-acid
Other Uses (Asafetida) —
With a taste stronger than onion or even garlic, asafetida is still used as a spice in the Middle East. Iranians rub asafetida on warmed plates on which meat is to be served. One-fourth teaspoon powder may suffice in a dish for four. You could substitute 1 tbsp freshly grated white onion for 74 tsp asafetida powder. Young shoots are consumed as a cooked green vegetable. The heads, rather resembling cabbage, are eaten raw as a delicacy. Roots are also roasted and eaten in the Southwest (FAC). Also called “hing” and “perunkayam” in Asia (AAR). In Kashmir, asafetida is eaten with vegetables and pulses. It is all but essential in Kashmiri lamb with yogurt sauce. It is said to be good with legumes, like lentils and beans, and cruciferous vegetables, like cabbage and cauliflower; also good with fish and seafood soups. It is mixed with ground meat to make “kofta” (meatballs) (AAR). India likes crispy asafetida-flavored “papadams,” flat, fried crackers made with lentil flour. Asafetida is important in “chaat masala.” Hindus, particularly in Kashmir, may avoid garlic and onions (inflaming the baser passions), turning instead to asafetida. But some Indian recipes call for all three, asafetida, garlic, and/or onions. Indian housewives add a lump to stored spices, hoping to deter insects. Roots are the source of a gum resin used as a flavoring in bean and lentil soup, curried fish, vegetarian dishes, sauces, drinks, pickles, cakes, etc. It is a standard ingredient of Worcestershire sauce and is widely employed in spice blends and condiments. Also popular in natural foods cuisine as a substitute for garlic (FAC). Alcoholic tinctures of the gum-resin, or the oil and/or fluid extract, are reportedly used, at very low levels, in baked goods, beverages, candies, frozen deserts, gelatins, meat and meat products, relishes, sauces, and spices. Its main use, however, is as a fixative or fragrance component in perfumery. The volatile oil has not attained commercial importance, because the flavoring and pharmaceutical industries utilize instead the tincture of asafetida (CRC). Asafetida is reportedly used in veterinary practice to repel cats and dogs (CRC). Rinzler (1990) mentions something I want to try in my Green Farmacy Garden; she suggests a 2% asafetida solution for the garden to repel deer and rabbits (1 oz powdered asafetida well shaken in 1.5 quarts water) (maybe it’ll repel my repugnant groundhog, too) (AAR, CRC, FAC, RIN).
For more information on activities, dosages, and contraindications, see the CRC Handtopic of Medicinal Herbs, ed. 2, et al., 2002.
Cultivation (Asafetida) —
Asafetida grows in Asian high plains region 2000—4000 ft above sea level, arid and bare in winter but covered with a thick growth of Ferula foetida and other Ferula species in summer. Hardy from zone 7-9 (Bown, 2001). Asafetida is gathered in June. The gum is caused to form by bleeding the root of the plant. Preparatory to cutting, soil is scraped away from around the root to about 6 in. The top is severed at the crown and several lacerations made around the head of the root. Fresh cuts are made every 3 or 4 days until sap ceases to run (a week or a month), depending on the vigor and size. After cutting, the root stump is covered with a dome of twigs, herbs, stones, or other trash to protect it from the sun so that it will not wither. As gum exudes it hardens into tears, or lumps. This is collected and spread in the sun to harden. Quantities ranging from a few ounces to several pounds per root have been reported (Source: USDA fact sheet).
Chemistry (Asafetida) —
Contains 40-64% resinous material composed of ferulic acid, umbel-liferone, asaresinotannols, farnesiferols A, B, and C, etc., about 25% gum composed of glucose, galactose, l-arabinose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid, and volatile oil (3-17%) consisting of disulfides as its major components, notably 2-butyl propenyl disulfide (E- and Z-isomers), with monoterpenes (alpha- and beta-pinene, etc.), free ferulic acid, valeric acid, and traces of vanillin (LAF). The disagreeable odor of the oil is reported to be due mainly to the disulphide C11H20S2. Analysis of bazaar samples from Mysore gave the following values: ash, 4.4-44.3% and alcohol soluble matter, 20.8-28.0%; samples obtained from Teheran contained: ash, 6.3-8.9% and alcohol soluble matter, 28.3-40.9% (WOI).
Here are a few of the more notable chemicals found in asafetida. For a complete listing of the phytochemicals and their activities, see the CRC phytochemical compendium, and , 1993 (DAD) and the USDA database.
Ferulic-Acid —
Allelopathic; Analgesic; Antiaggregant; Antiallergic; Antiarrythmic; Antibacterial; Anticancer; Anticarcinogen; Antidysmenorrheic; Antiestrogenic; Antihepatotoxic; Antiherpetic; Antiinflammatory; Antimitotic; Antimutagenic; Antineoplastic (Stomach); Antinitrosaminic; Antioxidant 3000 \\M, IC51 = 200 ppm, 1/3 quercetin; Antiserotonin; Antispasmodic; Antithrombic; Antitumor; Antitumor (Colon); Antitumor (Forestomach); Antitumor (Liver); Antitumor (Skin); Antitumor-Promoter IC46 = 10 |jM; Antiviral; Arteriodilator; Candidicide; Cardiac; Cholagogue; Choleretic; Fungicide; Hepatoprotective; Herbicide; Hydrocholeretic; Hypolipidemic; Immuno-stimulant; Insectifuge; Metal-Chelator; Ornithine-Decarboxylase-Inhibitor; Phagocytotic; Preservative; Prostaglandigenic; Sunscreen; Uterosedative 30-100 mg/kg ivn rat; LDlo = 1200 par mus; LD50 = 416 ivn mus; LD50 = 837-895 ivn mus.
Foetidin —
Hypoglycemic
Umbelliferone — Allelochemic IC94 = 2 mM; Antibacterial; Anticancer 5-25 ng/ml; Antihista-minic; Antiinflammatory; Antimitotic 5-25 ng/ml; Antimutagenic; Antiprostaglandin; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Antistaphylococcic; Candidicide; Choleretic; Fungicide; Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor; Photoactive; Sunscreen; Xanthine-Oxidase-Inhibitor.
