Asafoetida is the English name derived from the Latin words asa, meaning ?resin? and foetidus, meaning ?smelling fetid?.
True to its name, Asafoetida in its raw form has strong pungent smell, which can be overpowering and unpleasant. But when added to a dish with other spices, it mellows out and adds a mysterious flavour to the food. Many dislike the strong pungent smell is this spice, and, therefore, it is also known as ?devil's dung' or ?stinking gum'.
Asafoetida is the dried gum, found and extracted from the root of the Ferula plant, a perennial herb. It is greyish-white when fresh but dries to a dark amber colour. In its original form it is hard and difficult to grate, therefore traditionally it was crushed using mortar and pestle. Nowadays it is widely available in the powdered or granulated form, which is yellow in colour.
In India, we commonly know Asafoetida as ?hing', and it is found in all Indian kitchen cupboards. It is a crucial ingredient in Indian vegetarian cooking, which upon cooking produces a unique smell and flavour similar to onion and garlic. Therefore, for those who refrain from eating root crops, such as Vaishnavas and Jains, it is a blessing.
Asafoetida is known to have originated in Rome and, despite not being a native of India, has been used in Indian cookery and medicine for ages. In India it is grown in Kashmir and some parts of Punjab; however, the primary supply of hing to India comes from Afghanistan and Iran.
Product attributes
- Organic
- Pungent odour
- Yellow in colour
- Bitter taste
- Vegetarian
How to use
- For flavouring pickles
- For flavouring lentils
- As a seasoning
- For flavouring upmas and rasam
- For flavouring buttermilk
Benefits
- Digestive health ? Since ancient times, hing has been used as a home remedy for indigestion and other stomach problems. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties help to alleviate upset stomach, intestinal gas, flatulence, intestinal worms, and irritable bowel syndrome. Asafoetida is an excellent laxative. A pinch of hing taken with buttermilk helps to reduce flatulence and cleanse the digestive system. Hing is also natural treatment for colic in babies.
- Treats respiratory disorders ? asafoetida is a potent respiratory stimulant and expectorant, which helps to release phlegm and clears chest congestion naturally. A mix of hing, honey and ginger helps to get rid of a dry cough, whooping cough, and bronchitis. It is also used for treating breathing problems in case of bronchitis, swine flu, and asthma.
- Good for women's health ? the anti-inflammatory property of hing provides relief from menstrual cramps and irregular periods. It helps in the treatment and recovery of Candida infection and leucorrhea (thick white/yellow coloured discharge from the vagina).
- Anti-diabetic properties ? hing helps the pancreatic cells to secrete more insulin, thereby decreasing the sugar levels in the blood. It also acts as an anti-coagulant and contributes to lower the blood pressure.
- Acts as a pain killer ? hing granules dissolved in water are very effective in treating migraines, headaches, and toothaches.
How to store
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place.
Meet the producer
Coming soon.
Returns Policy
You may return most new, unopened items within 10 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the 'Complete Orders' link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.
Shipping
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.