Ayurvedic Singapore Highlights the Health Benefits of Asafoetida
Perumkayam in Tamil, Asafoetida is also known as hing, which is quite a common spice used by Asian households as a flavoring agent in most of the food items they prepare. The scientific name is Ferula Asafoetida, which is a dried gum resin extracted from the roots of Ferula plants. An expert at Ayurvedic Singapore says that the presence of sulfur compounds, hing has a distinct pungent odor and a bitter taste. The intake of asafoetida in food is not without reason, as it is proven as a traditional remedy for a host of ailments, says a senior expert at Ayurveda Singapore.
Health Benefits
Hing offers a slew of health benefits. But, before getting to know about that, let’s understand how it is processed. Experts at Ayurveda Singapore say that the roots of Ferula are dried initially and then grounded into a coarse, yellow powder. The powder form of hing is readily available in the grocery store in your neighborhood. While throwing light on the benefits of hing, the expert from Ayurvedic Singapore says that asafoetida has a range of tangible benefits, be it medicinal or consumed only for the purpose of aiding digestion and gas. In addition to that, hing also aids in treating bronchitis and kidney stones. Many Ayurvedic texts suggest that in the Middle Ages, some clan members used to wear dried gums of hing around their necks, apparently, to ward off possible infections and diseases.
The expert at Ayurveda Singapore says that though there are hardly any major studies conducted about the health benefits of hing, in Ayurveda, hing has been identified with several health benefits. Ayurvedic Singapore expert says that hing is proven to be an effective aid for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Besides that, hing also has high blood levels of certain fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition to that, hing is also found to be an excellent agent in thinning the blood. Last, but not least, hing has been described in Ayurveda as a laxative, which aids in digestion and promotes bowel movement. Hing acts as a flatulent, which helps in managing gas and bloating, says the Ayurveda Singapore expert.
Uses
According to the expert at Ayurvedic Singapore, hing is used in most of the dishes of Asian families as a spice. Apart from that, hing is also used in the treatment of various chronic ailments, including asthma, epilepsy, bowel disorders, flatulence, intestinal parasites, weak digestion, and influenza, just to name a few. As the extract is rich in diuretic and has anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties, it can be inhaled by mixing it with hot water to treat pneumonia, whooping cough, and asthma.
Side Effects
Generally considered to be safe, consuming hing in excess can lead to certain health complications. According to the expert at Ayurveda Singapore, some side effects seen in a few people include swelling of the lips, gastric irritation (intestinal gas), chronic headache, diarrhea, and blood disorders. Also, hing is not advisable for those who have high blood pressure issues.
