Asafoetida
OTHER NAME(S): A Wei, Anghouzeh, Anghuzeh, Anguzakoma, Assant, Crotte du Diable, Devil's Dung, Ferula Asafoetida, Ferula Assa Foetida, Férule, Férule Persique, Food of the Gods, Fum, Giant Fennel, Heeng, Hing, Kama, Khorakoma, Koma, Ferula assa-foetida, Ferula foetida, Ferula pseudalliacea, Ferula rubricaulis, Asa Foetida, Asafetida, Asafétida, Ase Fétide
Overview
Asafoetida is a plant that has a bad smell and tastes bitter. It is sometimes called "devil's dung."
People use asafoetida resin, a gum-like material, as medicine. Asafoetida resin is produced by solidifying juice that comes out of cuts made in the plant's living roots.
People use asafoetida for conditions such as breathing or throat problems, digestion problems, or by women to restart their menstrual periods after menstruation has stopped for some reason. Asafoetida is also sometimes applied directly to the skin for corns and calluses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In manufacturing, asafoetida is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and as a flavoring ingredient in foods and beverages. Asafoetida is also used in products meant to repel dogs, cats, and wildlife.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Convulsions.
- Corns and calluses.
- Hysteria.
- Intestinal gas.
- Irritable colon.
- Menstrual problems.
- Nerve disorders.
- Stomach upset.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of asafoetida for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Asafoetida is LIKELY SAFE for most people in the amounts typically found in foods. There is some evidence that asafoetida is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as medicine. It might cause swelling of the lips, burping, intestinal gas, diarrhea, headache, convulsions, blood disorders, and other side effects.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if asafoetida is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Asafoetida is LIKELY SAFE for most people in the amounts typically found in foods. There is some evidence that asafoetida is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as medicine. It might cause swelling of the lips, burping, intestinal gas, diarrhea, headache, convulsions, blood disorders, and other side effects.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if asafoetida is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE to take asafoetida by mouth if you are pregnant. It might cause a miscarriage. Avoid use.
It is UNSAFE to take asafoetida by mouth if you are breastfeeding. The chemicals in asafoetida could pass into breast milk and cause blood disorders in the nursing infant. Avoid use.
Children: Asafoetida is UNSAFE for infants when taken by mouth because it might cause certain blood disorders.
Bleeding disorders: There is concern that asafoetida might increase the risk of bleeding. Don't use asafoetida if you have a bleeding disorder.
Epilepsy or history of convulsions: Don't use asafoetida if you have epilepsy or some other central nervous system condition that might lead to seizures or convulsions.
Stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Asafoetida can irritate the GI tract. Don't use it of you have a GI infection or other GI condition.
Surgery: Asafoetida might slow blood clotting. There is concern that asafoetida might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking asafoetida at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with AsafoetidaAsafoetida seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking asafoetida along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with AsafoetidaAsafoetida might slow blood clotting. Taking asafoetida along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of asafoetida depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for asafoetida. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Abd El-Razek, M. H., Ohta, S., Ahmed, A. A., and Hirata, T. Sesquiterpene coumarins from the roots of Ferula assa-foetida. Phytochemistry 2001;58(8):1289-1295.
- Duan, H., Takaishi, Y., Tori, M., Takaoka, S., Honda, G., Ito, M., Takeda, Y., Kodzhimatov, O. K., Kodzhimatov, K., and Ashurmetov, O. Polysulfide derivatives from Ferula foetida. J Nat Prod. 2002;65(11):1667-1669.
- Fatehi, M., Farifteh, F., and Fatehi-Hassanabad, Z. Antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of Ferula asafoetida gum extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;91(2-3):321-324.
- Singh, U. P., Singh, D. P., Maurya, S., Maheshwari, R., Singh, M., Dubey, R. S., and Singh, R. B. Investigation on the phenolics of some spices having pharmacotherapeuthic properties. J Herb.Pharmacother. 2004;4(4):27-42.
- Appendino, G., Maxia, L., Bascope, M., Houghton, P. J., Sanchez-Duffhues, G., Munoz, E., and Sterner, O. A meroterpenoid NF-kappaB inhibitor and drimane sesquiterpenoids from Asafetida. J Nat Prod. 2006;69(7):1101-1104.
- Al-Qahtani S, Abusham S, Alhelali I. Severe methemoglobinemia secondary to Ferula asafoetida ingestion in an infant: a case report. Saudi J Med Med Sci 2020;8(1):56-9.
- Daneshkazemi A, Zandi H, Davari A, et al. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil obtained from the seed and oleo-gum-resin of Ferula assa-foetida against oral pathogens. Front Dent 2019;16(2):113-20.