Asafoetida Facts

Asafoetida is actually a dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula, a perennial herb that grows 1 to 1.5 m (3.3 to 4.9 ft.) tall. Asafoetida gets its name from the Latin word foetid, which means stinking. The species is native to the deserts of Iran and mountains of Afghanistan and is mainly cultivated in nearby India. As its name suggests, asafoetida has a fetid smell, but in cooked dishes, it delivers a smooth flavor reminiscent of leeks. All parts of the plant have the distinctive fetid smell. It is also known as asant, food of the gods, jowani badian, stinking gum, hing, hengu, ingu, kayam, and ting. The plant is in the same genus as the now extinct Silphium.

Name Asafoetida
Scientific Name Ferula assafoetida
Native Central Asia, eastern Iran to Afghanistan
Common/English Name Asant, food of the gods, jowani badian, stinking gum, hing, hengu, ingu, kayam, ting, Ferula foetida, Assyfetida, Devil’s Dung, Ferula Food of the Gods, Incense of the Devil, Ferulr perisque, Stinkender Asant, Kama-i-anguza and Perunkaya
Name in Other Languages Nepal: Hing
Pakistan: Anjadana
England: Asafetida
Russia: Asafetida
Finland: Asafetida
Germany: Asafetida
China: A-wei
Guyana: Asafetida
Iceland: Asafetida
Lithuania: Asafetida
France: Asafetida
Netherlands: Asafetida
Poland: Asafetida
India: Hing
Spain: Asafetida
Croatia: Asafetida
United States: Asafetida
Estonia: Asafootida
Germany: Asafotida
Italy: Assafetida
Latvia: Velna suds
United States: Devil’s dung
Iceland: Djoflatao
Iran: Rechina fena
Norway: Dyvelsdrekk
Sweden: Dyvelstrack
Bangladesh: Hing
Mozambique: Mvuje
Tanzania: Mvuje
Zaire: Mvuje
Greece: Aza
Hungary: Ordoggyoker
Sri Lanka: Perunkayan
Turkey: Setan bokosu
Myanmar: Sheingho
Tibet: Shing-kun
Afghanistan: Kama I anguza
Plant Growth Habit Herbaceous, monoecious, perennial plant
Growing Climate Prefers sunny location. It needs full sunlight, and does not grow in the shade.
Soil Grows well in well-drained soil of any consistency — sandy, loamy or clay. This herbaceous perennial tolerates acidic, neutral and basic soil pH levels.
Plant Size 2 m (6.6 ft.) high
Root Thick, massive, and pulpy.
Flower Pale greenish yellow produced in large compound umbels
Fruit Shape & Size Oval, flat, thin and have a milky juice.
Fruit Color Greyish-white when fresh but dries to a dark amber color
Fruit Flavor Pungent smell
Fruit Taste Bitter
Varieties/Types
  • White (milky white asafoetida)
  • Blackish (black asafoetida)
Major Nutrition Iron, Fe 39 mg (487.50%)
Calcium, Ca 690 mg (69.00%)
Carbohydrate 68 g (52.31%)
Total dietary Fiber 4 g (10.53%)
Protein 4 g (8.00%)
Phosphorus, P 50 mg (7.14%)
Total Fat (lipid) 1 g (2.86%)
Health Benefits
  • Nervous Disorders
  • Fertility Boost
  • Reproductive Health
  • Analgesic
  • Blood Sugar Control
  • Toothaches and Earaches
  • Digestive Issues
  • Lowers Blood Pressure
  • Headache Relief
  • Cancer Prevention
  • Asthma Relief
  • Respiratory System
  • Skin Protection
Calories in (100 gm) 297 K cal

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