It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for hing is Ferula foetida which belongs to the Apiaceae
family. It is considered the main ingredient in the kitchen of India. It is
commonly known as Asafetida. It is gum-like material it comes to form Latin
Word ‘foetid’ meaning very smelly. It is used as a digestive aid.
English-Devil’s dung
Hindi-Heeng, Hing
Telugu- Inguva
Bengali- Hing
Kannada-Hingu
Marathi-Hingu
Marathi-Hing
Gujarathi-Badharani
Tamil-Perungayam
Malayalam-Rungayam
Farsi-Angajah
Arabic-Hilteel
French-Assa foetida
German-Asafotida
Italian-Assafetida
Spanish-Asafetida
Afghan-Kama-i-anguza
Turkish-Seyan tersi
Hing is
originated in Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and it is exported to other
countries of the world. In India, it is grown in Kashmir. It is a perennial,
monoecious plant that grows up to 2mts height and the circular mass of the
leaves is 30-40cm. The flowers are yellow and the root of the plant is thick
and pulpy and which produces an unpleasant odor. Before the flowering season,
cut the plant close to the root so that the milky substance comes out, which
later dries to form gum or resin. Do this procedure for the first three months
of an incision. It is a self-fertilizer and has both female and male flowers
which are pollinated by insects. There are two varieties of hing are available
red hing and milky white hing
Part used: Resins
Oil which
is obtained from resins
Arial parts – stem, leaves, and flowers
Taste: Pungent
Potency: Hot
On
chemical compound analysis of the hing, it includes
Carbohydrates
(68%), moisture (16%), Protein (4%), fat (1%), minerals (7%), fiber (4%). It also contains three fractions as resins
(40-64%)- ferulic acid, and its ester, coumarins, sesquiterpene, coumarins, and
other terpenoids. The gum includes glucose, galactose, 1-arabinose, rhamnose,
glucuronic acid, polysaccharides, and glycoprotein and the volatile oil contains
sulfur-containing compounds, monoterpenes.
ACTION OF
HING:
The dose
of the drug used according to physicians
Powdered resins: 0.3-1gm
Tea: 1-2cups
Tincture: ½ -1 teaspoon daily
It is
contraindicated in patients who are allergic to the composition of the hing
Flatulence
Traditional view: Flatulence occurs due to the
imbalance of Vata and Pitta dosha. Consuming hing daily helps to regulate
improper digestion. It also helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and decrease
the gas by Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties
Take the
required amount of hing powder and shallow fry the powder with half a teaspoon
of ghee and add 1 glass of buttermilk into it and mix well. This helps to
reduce flatulence
Modern view: Due to its carminative and
antiflatulent property it helps to reduce the flatulence
Inflammatory bowel diseases:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda,
inflammatory bowel disease, is called Grahani. It occurs due to the imbalance
of Agni. Hing helps to improve the digestive fire by its Deepan (appetizer) and
Pachan (digestive) activity.
Take the
required amount of hing powder and shallow fry the powder with half a teaspoon
of ghee and add 1 glass of buttermilk into it and mix well. This helps to
reduce the symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Modern view: Hing inhibit the inflammatory
mediators and decrease the pain by its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and
analgesic property. Due to its gastroprotective agent hing reduces the risk of
gastric ulcers
Bronchitis:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, bronchitis
is called Kasroga which is usually caused by impaired digestion. Impaired
digestion occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Hing improves
digestion by reducing the Ama by its Deepan and Pachan activities.
Take the
required amount of hing powder and shallow fry the powder with ½ teaspoon of
ghee and mix it with 1-2 teaspoons of honey. This helps to treat the symptoms
of bronchitis
Modern view: Hing contain Umbelliprenin which
inhibit the receptors in smooth muscles and helps to relax the smooth muscles
in the tracheal by its antimicrobial and expectorant property
Asthma:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, asthma
occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha. This leads to blockage in the
respiratory passage and causes difficulty in breathing. Hing helps to balance
Vata-Kapha by removing the mucus from the lungs.
Take the
required amount of hing powder and shallow fry the powder with ½ teaspoon of
ghee and mix it with 1-2 teaspoons of honey. This helps to treat the symptoms
of asthma
Modern view: Hing contains Umbelliprenin which
inhibits the receptors in smooth muscles and helps to relax the smooth muscles
in the trachea. It is used to treat asthma by inhibiting the histamine
receptors in the trachea and it also removes the mucus from the respiratory
tract
The Hing comes in various formulations includes
Internal use:
Hing churna:
Take the required amount of hing churna and mix it with warm water or with honey. Take this twice daily after your lunch or dinner
Hing capsule or tablet:
Take the required amount of capsule or tablet with water after lunch and dinner
External use:
Hing powder skin whitening pack:
Mash the tomato and add some amount of sugar and mix it well until the sugar gets dissolves and add some hing powder and make it as paste and apply this paste on the face and neck and allow it to dry and wash it with lukewarm water to improve skin tone naturally
Hing powder for Hair conditioning:
Mix yogurt, almond oil, and green tea extract in a bowl and mix it well and add hing powder into the mixture and mix until it becomes a paste and apply this paste on the roots and entire hair and allow it to dry for 1 hour and wash it with a mild shampoo
Hing oil:
Take the required amount of hing oil and massage it on the skin until the oil gets absorbed and repeat this procedure the daily night before going to bed to avoid flakes
Hing is administered to babies to treat flatulence, stomach aches, and colic pain
Is Hing powder available in the
market?
Yes, it is
available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic
medical stores.
How to store Hing?
It should
be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat
and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children
Where is Hing grown in India?
In India,
usually, hing is grown in Kashmir and some areas in Punjab
How do you use Hing?
Take the
required amount of hing powder and add it to a glass of warm water and drink
this on an empty stomach.
Take 2-3
small pieces of hing and add it with buttermilk
Is Hing good for skin?
Yes, the
use of Hing in skin problems like dry skin, wrinkles. Hing improve the textures
and maintain the moisture content by its oily nature