Asafoetida or Hing is dried latex which is extracted from the taproot of many species of Ferula, a perennial herb native to the East Mediterranean and Central Asian regions. The asafoetida resin is usually crushed using a mortar and pestle due to its hard surface. Asafoetida is a common ingredient found in most of the Indian households and is used for cooking purposes. It has medicinal uses as well. The most common problems of the stomach like gas, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, intestinal worm infection, and flatulence can all be treated with this magical ingredient. It has both anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties that help in alleviating these kinds of health issues. Uses of ‘hing’ for weight loss are quite common, too.
