Asafoetida is the dried aromatic gum-resin exuded from the living rhizome, rootstock or taproot of varied plant species of genus Ferula.
Local names: Hing, Asafetida, Ingo, Inguva
Plant Sources: Ferula asafoetida and allied species (Ferula foetida and Ferula narthex).
Family: Umbelliferae
Distribution: The perennial asafoetida plants has several varieties and are native to the region between the Mediterranean region to Central Asia, especially Iran and Afghanistan. The other species, known botanically as Ferula northex, grow abundantly in Kashmir, Western Tibet and Afghanistan.
Major producing countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Turkistan. Ferula gum-resins are imported to India, mainly from Iran and Afghanistan. A part of the imported gum resin is re-exported to various countries after some processing and value addition.
Harvesting/Collection of Gum-Resin
Method of harvesting/tapping: The gum resin is obtained from incisions in the roots and rhizomes of the plants. Usually plants of sour to five years old develop very thick and fleshy, carrot shaped roots.
The upper part of the root is laid bare and the stem is cut close to the crown. The exposed surface is covered by a dome shaped structure made of twigs and earth. A milky juice exudes from the cut surface which soon coagulates when exposed to air. After some days, the exudate gum-resin is scraped off and a fresh slice of the root is cut.
