Introduction
Asafoetida is usually used to add to dal-vegetables, hence it is also known as `Bhagharni´. Asafoetida is the smooth juice of a plant called Ferula foetis. Its plant is 60 to 90 cm high. These plants are found in abundance in the hilly areas of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Balochistan, Kabul and Khurasan. Milk comes out by lightly hitting the leaves and bark of asafoetida and the same milk dries on the tree and forms a gum. This is taken out and filled in leaves or skin and dried. After drying it is known as asafoetida. But the asafoetida that is used by Vaidyas is diamond asafoetida and it is the best.
It is consumed in large quantities in our country. Asafoetida cures many diseases. Vaidyas say that asafoetida should be roasted before using it. Four types of asafoetida are found in the markets such as Kandhari asafoetida, European commercial asafoetida, Indian asafoetida, Vapind asafoetida.
Properties
Asafoetida cures diseases of the buttocks and brain such as epilepsy, paralysis, etc. Asafoetida is beneficial in eye diseases. It digests food, also increases appetite. It produces heat and clears the voice. Applying a paste of asafoetida with ghee or oil on wounds and sores is beneficial and putting asafoetida in the ear cures ringing in the ears and deafness. Asafoetida also cures poison. Asafoetida also cures diseases caused by air. Asafoetida is light, hot and digestive. It cures phlegm and wind. Asafoetida is light, sharp and increases appetite. Asafoetida cures breathing problems and cough. Therefore, asafoetida is an effective medicine.
Harmful effects
It can harm people with hot mind and hot temperament.
Treatment for various diseases
1. Safety of pickles:
To protect pickles, first smoke the vessel with asafoetida. Then fill pickles in it. Pickles do not get spoiled by this method.
2. Rib pain:
Mix asafoetida in hot water and massage the ribs. This gives relief from pain.
3. Hives:
Massage by mixing asafoetida in ghee is beneficial in hives.
4. On consumption of poison:
By mixing asafoetida in water and drinking it, vomiting takes place and the effect of poison ends.
5. Dental disease:
In case of toothache, pressing asafoetida under the aching teeth gives quick relief.
6. Cavities in teeth:
Slightly warm the asafoetida and press it under the worm-infested teeth. This kills the worms in the teeth and gums.
7. Toothache:
Toothache can be cured by boiling asafoetida in water and gargling with that water.
Heat pure asafoetida in a spoonful of water and soak cotton in it and place it under the aching tooth. This cures toothache.
Heating asafoetida and pressing it under the tooth or jaw kills the worms in the teeth and gives relief from pain.
8. Indigestion:
Grind asafoetida, myrobalan, rock salt, celery in equal quantities. Take one spoonful 3 times a day with warm water. This improves digestion.
9. Loss of appetite:
Before having food, take asafoetida roasted in ghee and a piece of ginger with butter. This helps in increasing appetite.
10. In case of mad dog bite:
In case of mad dog bite, grind asafoetida in water and apply it on the bitten area. This eliminates the poison of mad dog bite.
11. In case of snake bite:
Grind asafoetida with castor buds and make pills of the size of gram. Consuming these pills every half an hour is beneficial in case of snake venom. Eating a little asafoetida with cow ghee removes the snake venom.
12. Fever:
Consuming asafoetida removes fever in damp places. Taking asafoetida with nausadar or guggal is beneficial in typhoid fever.
13. Back pain:
Mixing 1 gram roasted asafoetida in little warm water and drinking it slowly is beneficial in back pain, hoarseness of voice, chronic cough and cold etc.
14. Indigestion:
Making a pill of asafoetida (size of gram) and swallowing it with ghee is beneficial in indigestion and stomach pain. In case of stomach ache, apply a paste of asafoetida on the navel.
15. Vata colic:
Boil asafoetida in 20 grams of water. When a little water is left, drinking it provides relief in flatulence.
16. Jaundice:
Eating asafoetida with dried fruits of figs is beneficial in jaundice. In case of jaundice, rub asafoetida in water and apply it on the eyes.
17. Free urination:
Consuming asafoetida with fennel juice helps in free urination.
18. Dizziness:
Eating asafoetida roasted in ghee with ghee eliminates dizziness and pain during pregnancy.
19. Wound worms:
Grind asafoetida and neem leaves and apply it on the wound, the worms in the wound die.
20. Ear ache:
Cook asafoetida in sesame oil and put some drops of that oil in the ear relieves severe ear ache.
