Asafoetida (Hing): Uses & Benefits

Asafoetida is a spice that is used for a variety of purposes. Asafoetida is also known as “Hing” in Hindi, whereas hing is a very popular spice in most Indian kitchens. Asafoetida is a very common species that is recommended for use daily for better digestion and to avoid gastric problems. It is also used as a flavouring agent in many recipes and used in traditional medicines. 

Asafoetida is also used in removing chest congestion. It helps in improving skin moisture and glow also helps in maintaining skin texture. Asafoetida (Hing) is actually good for menstrual issues, as it helps women with menstrual flow and cramps, it also helps in female with PCOD. Hing act an antidepressant and improves your mood. 

What is Asafoetida?

Asafoetida originated from the stems of ferula plants of the Umbelliferae family. It is a type of gum resin (oleo-gum resin) extracted from the roots of the ferula plant. The row form of Asafoetida has a pungent smell and is bitter in taste. Asafoetida is mainly spread in central Asia and is available particularly in western Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Eastern Iran, and North Africa, with about 170 spices. 

Asafoetida (Hing) is a common spice for various Indian cuisines. Hing is used to treat many stomach disorders like gas, indigestion, constipation, acidity, and bloating, and it improves stomach health. Asafoetida (Hing) also provide fibre, calcium, iron, niacin and phosphorus; it is used for medical purposes. It is available on the market in tablet form and powder form. You can store hing in an airtight box for a long time. It is suggested that Hing be consumed in a smaller amount as consuming a larger amount of Hing can cause headaches. 

Nutritional value for Asafoetida for 100gm

Asafoetida (Hing) is mainly known to have a high amount of carbohydrates in it. However, it has 67% of carbohydrates, and the rest of the 18% is a mixture of all the other components. Hing has 4% of protein and 4% of fibre, with 1% fat and 7% minerals. 295 calories are consumed in 100 grams of Hing. 

Health Benefits of Asafoetida

Consuming a limited amount of Hing can be very helpful for your health and stomach; here are some health benefits that Hing provides. 

Helps in improving digestion

Asafoetida has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for ages to treat digestive issues. Asafoetida (Hing) is mainly used in Indian kitchens in recipes that include beans or lentils. As Hing helps with gastric issues and improves digestion, it also adds an amazing flavour to food. It is recommended to treat gas, indigestion, and some other serious issues related to the stomach, While it also helps treat conditions like kidney stones or bronchitis. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Hing ensures that stomach aches, stomach infections, stomach gas, acidity, and stomach burns are kept checked. The presence of Hing in your food can give you zero chances of food poisoning or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It also promotes the production of digestive enzymes that help break down and absorb nutrients. 

From an Ayurvedic point of view, the formation of gas happens in your body due to Vata and Pitta dosa. For treatment of gas formation, you can have 1-2 tablespoons of hing fried in 1/2 tablespoon of ghee, add one glass of buttermilk to it, mix it well and consume that after food to stop the formation of gas. You can also add Hing to your daily recipes, which can help you with better digestion, or you can drink a glass of warm water with a pinch of Hing after your meal, which will give you enormous health benefits. 

Relieves menstrual cramps

Adding Hing to your daily diet can help you with menstrual issues as it increases progesterone production, which helps in smooth flow and eventually reduces back pain. Hing can aid by relieving period cramps and lower back and abdomen pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of Hing can help reduce pain, but it is always suggested that you consult your healthcare provider for correct guidance. 

Good source of antioxidants

Asafoetida is a spice with fantastic nutrients and antioxidant properties. The antioxidant in Asafoetida helps protect your cells against the damage of unstable molecules called free radicals and also helps protect your body from oxidative stress. Antioxidants can also help you against chronic inflammation, cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

May help with anti-ageing

Using Hing in your daily diet can interfere with acne producing bacteria. However, if you apply asafoetida mixture on the face, it helps in keeping oil and dirt away from your face. Using asafoetida can whiten your skin and erase wrinkles and dark circle under your eye and the tyrosine in Hing helps with dull skin. 

Hing for respiratory infection 

Asafotetida has been mainly used in traditional medicines for respiratory infection and diseases. Hing is used to relive respiratory problems like cough, asthma and bronchitis. Hing have expectorant properties that help in promoting easier breathing. Asafoetida is have mucolytic and expectorant properties that helps in respiratory health. 

Hing has anti-depressive properties

Asafoetida (Hing) is known for improving mood and helping in managing depressive thoughts. If you add Hing to your regular diet, it can help you with stress, as hing is also known as an antidepressant. 

Hing is good for diabetes

Asafoetida (Hing) can be beneficial for diabetics. Hing helps in managing lower blood sugar levels in the human body. It has demonstrated blood sugar-lowering activities. It helps diabetes patients with insulin levels in the body. Consumption of a limited amount of hing can help. 

Potential side effects of Hing (Asafoetida)

As we go further, you should know these points:

• Although Hing is used in daily diet to avoid gastric behaviour, using too much can cause stomach pain and burning, even if it can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

• You may feel headache and dizziness if you consume too much Hing in your diet or consume an excess amount of Hing water. However, it can be cured by taking a little rest. But if you still feel it continues, you must consult your doctor.

• Consuming Hing can give you skin rashes and redness. If you feel these symptoms, there is a time to consult your doctor. 

• Asafoetida is a natural blood thinner, usually linked to hypotension (low blood pressure) and hypertension (high blood pressure). These properties can become the reason behind a fall in blood pressure. 

• It is advised not to give asafoetida to infants as it may cause internal bleeding in them. 

• Lactating mothers/ breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating Hing as it will pass to the infants from the milk and can cause bleeding disorders. 

• Pregnant women should avoid the consumption of large amounts of hing because it can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy by increasing uterine contractions. 

• People with central nervous system disorder should avoid consumption of hing as it increases the risk of bleeding disorder. 

How to use Hing? 

Hing is a common spice used in all Indian kitchens, especially in Indian cooking. It is used to make pickles and dishes like dal and sambhar. Mostly used in the cooking of beans and lentils. Hing is added at the start when oil/ghee is hot, along with other seasonings. 

It adds an extra flavour to the food and adds a nice aroma. On the other hand, sometimes hing is used as a food preservative. Hing is also used in Ayurvedic medicine. However, you can consume raw hing as it has amazing health benefits.

Traditionally, people use Hing to treat vata and kapa dosh in the human body. Hing is also used to cure bee string and other insect stings. It helps in treating earache and toothache and works for pimples, too. 

Asafoetida in powder form is very common across India in the name of Hing. As you can see, it is in local stores in India, and it is not that expensive. People are using hing in lentils, vegetarian stews and seafood recipes, But if you want to start a gluten-free diet for your gut, you must consider adding hing powder to your diet. In supplement form, Hing is also available, but you should consult your healthcare provider before starting it. 

Conclusion

Asafoetida (Hing) has amazing health benefits, as it helps with stomach gas, stomach aches and digestion. Hing is good for menstrual cramps and abdomen pain. It helps manage period flow, which actually helps relieve pain. Hing can have amazing health benefits, but only if it is consumed in limited amounts. If you feel any kind of discomfort, you should consult your doctor about it. 

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