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HING


WHAT IS HING

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.


What are the other names of HING in various languages

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


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF HING

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 


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN HING

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:

  • Anti-cancer
  • Anti-leukemic
  • Antineoplastic
  • Anti-mutagenic
  • Anti-tumour
  • Anti-carcinogenic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-arthritic
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Antiseptic
  • Expectorant
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Analgesic
  • Anthelmintic


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF HING

  • In Afghanistan hot water extract of resin is taken to treat whooping cough and hysteria, and ulcer
  • Decoction of this herb is used as a vermifuge in china
  • Hot water use of dried root is used as an antispasmodic, diuretic, vermifuge, and as an analgesic in Egypt.
  • In Malaysia, the gum is chewed for amenorrhea
  • In Nepal, water extract of this resin is used as an anthelmintic
  • In Brazil, hot water extract of leaf and stem is used in males as an aphrodisiac
  • Fluid extract of this resin is used as an emmenagogue, an anthelmintic, expectorant, antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac in United state
  • In India, a dried Lampyris noctiluca without a head is mixed with Ferula which is taken in the morning and evening for gallstones and kidney stones


DOSAGE OF HING

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Powdered resins: 0.3-1gm

Tea: 1-2cups

Tincture: ½ -1 teaspoon daily


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING HING

  • Kindly avoid this herb if you are breastfeeding because the chemical which is present in the hing may cause bleeding disorder in infants
  • Hing should be administered with caution in patients with epilepsy because the use of hing interfere with the nervous system and may cause convulsions
  • Kindly avoid hing if you have a bleeding disorder and gastrointestinal problems
  • Due to its emmenagogue property, the use of hing during pregnancy may cause uterine bleeding which leads to miscarriage


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING HING

It is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to the composition of the hing


BENEFITS OF 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


HOW CAN YOU ADD HING IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

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


SIDE EFFECTS OF HING

  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Convulsion
  • Swelling of the lips
  • Burp


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON HING

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