Asafetida Health benefits

Asafetida, is a dried gum obtained from the tap root of various species of Ferula.Asafetida has a strong pungent smell among all spices, but adds a subtle flavor to dishes when cooked with other spices.Asafetida health benefits can be obtained everyday when used in cooking. It can be mixed with virtually anything like vegetables, pulses, rice, meat, or fish.The pungent smell becomes lighter when added to hot oil. In addition, it holds importance in Jainism and Vaishnavism because Asafoetida adds a smooth flavor to vegetarian dishes that are prepared without using onion and garlic.You will never find a Indian household without this spice. 

Its many names are asafetida,Hing,Perungayam,Devil’s Dung, Food of the Gods, Stinking Gum, Giant Fennel, Yang, Kama-i-anguza, Hingu, Heeng.I always prefer to buy in blocks means whole Hing / Asafetida, as they remain fresh longer and I break it into small pieces, sun dry and store it.Grinding in mixer at home is easy and its smell and flavor remains fresh.

The herb originated in eastern Iran and western Afghanistan. It is chiefly cultivated in Afghanistan, Iran, and high-altitude areas of India and Pakistan. Asafoetida apart from being an important spice in our day to day cooking, occupies an important place in home remedies too. 

Health Benefits of Asafetida

1.Indigestion

Asafoetida is an ancient home remedy for indigestion. Asafoetida is an amazing spice to treat flatulence and expelling wind. Many suffer from gas when they consume lentils. Adding asafoetida in recipes prevents the problem and helps in quick digestion. A small pinch of asafoetida will go a long way and if you add too much, the dish will turn bitter.

2.For Menstrual pain

Asafetida is considered to be helpful for women with menstrual issues like menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and pain. It is also useful in the treatment of Dysmenorrhoea.

3.Cough and Cold

Asafetida is one of the oldest remedies which have been used in India for treating respiratory tract infections and cough. It is very useful to relieve chest congestion and release of the phlegm. Its powder can be mixed with honey and ginger to get relief from cough.

4.For Young Babies

For young babies, it is not advisable to give asafoetida internally. Even for toddlers, they will refuse to drink it as it has a very strong pungent smell. For treating young babies, we make a paste out of asafoetida and water and apply on the babies stomach. To know whether your baby is suffering from gas, touch their tummy, if it is tight and bloated than they are suffering from gas. Just apply asafoetida and they will be better in no time. 

5.Alleviates Toothaches

Due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, asafetida helps alleviate tooth pain and fight infection. It can also help treat bleeding gums and dental caries.Simply place a very small piece of asafetida on the aching tooth to get quick relief from a toothache.

6.Eases Ear Aches

The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of asafetida can help relieve an ear ache caused by an infection.Putting small piece of asafetida into boiling water, melts it.Use  2-3 drops of tis solution when it is lukewarm into the ear.

7.Soothes Headaches

Whether you have a headache due to a common cold or a migraine, asafetida can surely solve your problem. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, asafetida can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which in turn will reduce headaches.

8.Cures Respiratory Disorders

Due to its anti inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic effects, asafetida is often used to treat respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, dry cough, whooping cough and colds. Plus, it acts as a respiratory stimulant, which is very useful in relieving chest congestion and releasing phlegm.

Safety

Asafoetida can cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals. In addition, excessive intake of this herb can give rise to throat irritation, burping, swollen lips, stomach gas and diarrhea.

Aniseed Health Benefits

Throughout history, people have used Aniseed to treat a variety of ailments, a herb that relieves gas pains and bloating.Aniseed, also called Anise is the fruit or seed from the flowering plant, Pimpinella anisum. Aniseed is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and has been highly valued since ancient times. Sweet and very aromatic, anise can be used in tea, or in baking and cooking, the taste compliments cookies, cakes, and pasta dishes. Aniseed gives the Greek liqueur ouzo it's distinctive licorice taste.

In India,Saunf, anise, anis, anise seed from Spice List, the seeds are often chewed after a meal, both as a digestive and to sweeten the breath.There is only a slight difference between anise seed and fennel seed. Anise seed cums from star anise, fennel comes from fennel, they are totally different.Fennel seed is slightly sweeter and milder.Aniseed is Chote badishep and Aniseeds have a wide range of purposes. Not only is the aniseed spice a vital ingredient for various kinds of recipes but it has relevance in the bakery and confectioneries. Aniseed has numerous purported medicinal properties, mainly as a digestive aid.Anise oil has also been used in treating flatulence and colic in children.The Aniseed used in the form of seeds and essential oil.

Recipe for Anise Tea

Anise “tea” – which can be made from steeping anise leaves in boiling water for about 5-6 minutes, straining out the leaves and adding honey to taste – may be effective for digestion, sore throat and cough.

Health Benefits of Aniseed

1.The seeds have also been used to reduce flatulence, cure sleeplessness, aid nursing mothers with the production of milk and to stimulate appetite. 

2.A paste made from the seeds may be applied to the forehead, neck or temples to relieve headaches and migraines. A similar paste can be used to treat lice and scabies.

3.Exotic anise spice contains some of the important plants derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

4.Anise seed oil obtained from extraction of the seeds is found application in many traditional medicines as stomachic, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. 

5.Anise has aphrodisiac properties that can increase libido. Drinking one glass of water infused with the crushed seeds each night can increase one's sex drive.

6.Gargling with a tea made of the seeds can also provide relief for sore throat, laryngitis or pharyngitis.

7.The spicy seeds are the great source of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium.

Safety Note

While the seed has many benefits, high doses of the essential oil are toxic due to its narcotic properties.Anise is safe to use in small doses, but ingesting large amounts of the seed can cause convulsions, narcosis, circulatory problems and coma.