Ferula Asafoetida, also known as asafoetida or devil's dung, is a plant whose resin is used in medicine. It contains resins, gums, and volatile oils including pinene. It has various uses such as being carminative, antispasmodic, and for treating stomach disorders. The main constituent, resin, helps reduce cholesterol levels. Asafoetida can interact with medications for blood pressure or blood clotting. Side effects include heartburn, headache, and diarrhea. It should not be used by pregnant women or infants. The standard dosage is 200-500 mg per day.
2. Botanical Origin Ferula Asafoetida
Faimly Umbelliferae
Urdu Name Hing
English Name Asafoetida, Devil’s dung
Part Used Resins from roots
Chemical Class Resins
Chemical Constituents
o Resins
o Gums
o Ferulic acid
o Umbelliferone
3. o Asaresinotannols
o Asaresinol
o Asaresinolferulate
o Volatile oils
o Pinene
o Coumarin
Uses
o Carminative
o Antispasmodic
o Expectorant
o Sedative
o Diuretics
o Antiviral
4. o Used for stomach disorder
o Used for the treatment of pimples
o Pinene is used as flavouring agent
o Used for the treatment of skin blemishes
o Volatile oils is used in the treatment of asthma,whooping
cough
Mechanism of Action
The main constituent of ferula asafoetida is resin. It is used in the
treatment of Hyperlipidemia.It reduce the cholesterol level in
the blood.It can decrease the cholesterol absorption in the
gastrointestinal tract and reduce cholesterol metabolism in the
body.Hot potency is also required to reduce the cholesterol level
because hot potency of hing also improves metabolism of
cholesterol in the body.
5. Drug Interactions
o Medications for higher blood pressure (Antihypertensive
drugs) interacts with asafoetida.Asafoetida seems to decrease
the blood pressure taking asafoetida along with medication
for higher blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to
go to low.Some medications for higher blood pressure include
Enalapril,Hydrochlorothiazide and Flurosemide.
o Medications that slow blood
clotting(Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs)Interact with
asafoetida.Asafoetida might slow blood clotting take
asafoetida along with medications that also slow clotting
might increase the chances of bleeding.Some medication
which slow blood clotting are Aspirin,Warfarin,Ibuprofen.
Side Effects
o Asafoetida is unsafe for infants when taken by mouth because
it might cause certain blood disorders.
6. o Heart burn
o Headache
o Diarrhea
o Nausea
o Vomiting
o It is unsafe to take asfoetida by mouth if you are pregnant.It
might cause miscarriage.
Contraindications
o Asafoetida increase the chances of bleeding due to it hot
potency.
o Asafoetida can irritate the GIT do not use if you have a
gastrointestinal infection
o Asafoetida might interfere with blood pressure control.Avoid
use if you have a blood pressure problem.
7. o Asafoetida might increase the risk of bleeding during and
after surgery. Stop taking asafoetida at least 2 weeks before a
scheduled surgery.
Dosage
A daily dose of asafoetida resin is 200 to 500 mg. A tincture of
2-4ml or 20 drops as a single dose.
Toxicity
In vitro testing fonud that asafoetida gum exerts a strong
oxidative effect leading to potentially life threatening to
infants.Asafoetida dosage higher from 500 to 750mg is harmful
to GIT or cause headache.
8. References
• Asafoetida, a grounding herb American botanical council.
• Ferula asafetida (USDA. NRCS 2007. The plants database
(hccp. Plant).
• Duke JA handbook of medicinal herbs.