Adding spices to the food not only enhances its flavour but also provides a plethora of benefits. Here’s a spice with a rich history and a plethora of benefits that can elevate your cooking experience and enhance your overall well-being; asafoetida. Beyond its pungent aroma and unique flavour, it boasts an array of remarkable properties that make it a must-have ingredient in your kitchen. Dt Vidhi Chawla, Founder, Fisico Diet Clinic listed the benefits of asafoetida.
Chawla said, “Asafoetida is obtained from the stems of the Ferula plant. It has a strong sulphurous odour. It is a very popular ingredient in Indian cuisine and is famously known for treating famous diseases like whooping cough, bronchitis, Stomach ache, etc.”
Health Benefits Of Asafoetida
Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Asafoetida contains compounds that act as natural blood thinners, helping to reduce blood pressure and promote cardiovascular health. Including asafoetida in your cooking can be a smart choice for maintaining a healthy heart.
Eases Asthma
Asafoetida relieves asthma and other respiratory disorders such as bronchitis and dry cough due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, and antibacterial properties. Chawla said that it has a relaxing soothing effect on smooth airway muscles. You can prepare a soothing concoction by dissolving asafoetida in warm water and drinking it as a herbal tea.
Also Read: Turmeric Tea: Know About Its Health Benefits And How To Make It
Relieve Period Pain
Asafoetida helps in relieving period pain as it has natural blood thinners so it helps in the smooth flow of blood circulation without hampering any part of the body. As a result, it reduces back and lower abdominal pain related to menstruation. It also affects progesterone synthesis, encouraging smooth blood flow and pain relief, and therefore controlling your menstrual cycle.
Reduces Headaches
It contains anti-inflammatory properties, which cause a reduction in the inflammation of the blood vessels, leading to the cure of the headache. Mix a pinch of hing into a glass of warm water and drink it several times during the day to ease headaches.
Aids In Digestion
Asafoetida has long been revered for its ability to aid digestion. It acts as a natural carminative, which means it helps alleviate flatulence, bloating, and other digestive discomforts. Adding a pinch of asafoetida to your curries, lentil soups, or bean dishes can aid in the digestion of complex carbohydrates, reducing the chances of post-meal heaviness.
Also Read: Ayurveda Expert Explains Tips For Good Digestion Of Food
Possible Cancer-Preventing Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, asafoetida contains anticancer properties. Some cancer cells, such as those that cause breast and liver cancer, may cease growing and spreading with the aid of asafoetida.
Diabetic Management
Due to the presence of phenolic acid and tannins, asafoetida extract showed a blood sugar-lowering effect and can be utilised to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Bottomline
Asafoetida is also known as the “Food of the Gods” in some parts of the country due to its various benefits. You can add it to your food to reap the benefits. However, you should avoid consuming it in excess amounts as it can lead to side effects, such as burping, diarrhoea, and throat infection. Also, pregnant women should consult with their healthcare experts before adding it to their diet.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is verified by an expert, however, we recommend you consult with your expert before adding it to your routine, based on your body type.