Envoy at 13:08, 5 August 2007

2007-08-05T13:08:16Z

New page

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Asafoetida
| image = Koeh-061.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Ferula scorodosma'' syn. ''assafoetida''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Apiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Ferula]]''
| species = '''''F. assafoetida'''''
| binomial = ''Ferula assafoetida''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''Asafoetida''' (''Ferula assafoetida'', family [[Apiaceae]]), alternative spelling '''asafetida''' (also known as '''devil's dung''', '''stinking gum''', '''asant''', '''food of the gods''', '''hing''', and '''giant fennel''') is a species of ''[[Ferula]]'' native to [[Iran]]. It is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] growing to 2 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems 5-8 cm diameter at the base of the plant. The leaves are 30-40 cm long, tripinnate or even more finely divided, with a stout basal sheath clasping the stem. The [[flower]]s are yellow, produced in large compound [[umbel]]s.

Asafoetida's [[English language|English]] and scientific name is derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word for resin (asa) and [[Latin]] ''foetida'', which refers to its strong sulfurous [[odor]]. Its pungent odor has resulted in its being called by many unpleasant names; thus in [[French language|French]] it is known (among other names) as ''Merde du Diable'' (Devil's Shit); in some dialects of English too it was known as ''Devil's Dung'', and equivalent names can be found in most [[Germanic languages]] (e.g. [[German language|German]] ''Teufelsdreck''), also in [[Afrikaans]] as ''Duiwelsdrek'' and also [[Finnish language|Finnish]] ''Pirunpaska'' or ''Pirunpihka''. In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], it is known as ''Şeytantersi'', ''Şeytan bökösu'' or ''Şeytanotu'' (the Devil's Herb). In many of the [[Indo-Aryan languages]] it is known as ''hing'' or "Heeng". A related name occurs in many [[Dravidian languages]] (e.g. [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ''Inguva'', [[Kannada language|Kannada]] ''Ingu''), but [[Tamil language|Tamil]] (perungaayam) and Malayalam ''kaayam'' come from a different root.
In Italian it is called "assafetida" and the word "fetida" means "fetid".

==Cultivation and uses==
The [[resin]]-like [[natural gum|gum]] which comes from the dried [[sap]] extracted from the stem and roots is used as a [[spice]]. The resin is greyish-white when fresh, but dries to a dark amber color. The asafoetida resin is difficult to grate, and is traditionally crushed between stones or with a hammer. Today, the most commonly available form is compounded asafoetida, a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida resin, along with [[rice]] [[flour]] and [[gum arabic]].

[[Image:Asafoetida.jpg|left|thumb|Jars of commercially available asafoetida powder.]]
This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment and in pickles. Its odour is so strong that it must be stored in airtight containers; otherwise the aroma, which is nauseating in quantities, will contaminate other spices stored nearby. However, its smell becomes much milder in cooking and presents an [[onion]]-like taste. Some claim that the use of Asafoetida in a marinade or coating for fried fish eliminates the strong smell usually left behind after frying. In India, it is used especially by the merchant [[caste]] of the Hindus and by adherents of [[Jainism]], who do not eat onions and garlic. It is mainly grown in [[Iran]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[Kashmir]].

Asafoetida has certain medicinal uses and most commonly is used as a digestive aid. It is reputed to lessen flatulence and is often added to lentil or eggplant dishes in small quantities. It is also said to be helpful in cases of [[asthma]] and [[bronchitis]]. A folk tradition remedy for children's colds: it is mixed into a foul-smelling paste and hung in a bag around the afflicted child's neck. In Thailand it is used to aid babies' digestion and is smeared on the child's stomach in an alcohol tincture known as "mahahing."
John C Duval reported in 1936 that the odor of asafoetida is attractive to the wolf, a matter of common knowledge, he says, along the Texas/Mexican border.

Asafoetida has also been reported to have [[Birth Control | contraceptive]]/[[abortifacient]] activity, and is related (and considered an inferior substitute to) the ancient ''Ferula'' species [[Silphium]]. It has been reported in human tests as both a contraceptive as well as an abortifacient.<ref name="riddle> Riddle, John M. 1992. ''Contraception and abortion from the ancient world to the Renaissance. ''Harvard University Press p. 28 and references therein. </ref>

It is also used as one of several possible scent baits, most notably for catfish and pike.**

In [[homeopathy|homeopathic medicine]], Asafoetida is used for reverse peristalsis, the sensation of a bubble or a lump in the stomach rising up to the throat<ref>{{cite book
| last = Morrsion, MD
| first = Roger
| title = Desktop guide to keynotes and comfirmatory symptoms
| publisher =Hahnemann Clinic Publishing
| date = 1993
| location =Grass Valley, CA
| ISBN =0-9635368-0-X}}
</ref>.

In Jamaica asafoetida is traditionally applied to a baby's anterior [[fontanelle]] (Jamaican patois "mole") in order to prevent spirits (Jamaican patois "duppies") from entering the baby through the fontanelle.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Feru_ass.html Botany, etymology, uses]
*[http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/catfish-fishing/gf_aa086704a/ Off-the-Wall baits for persnikity catfish]

{{Herbs & spices}}

[[Category:Apiaceae]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Resins]]

Asafoetida - Revision history

Envoy at 13:08, 5 August 2007