Asafoetida

Commonly known as hing, in our country, is good for flatulence, whooping cough or asthma, when mixed with water or honey and consumed. It is powdered and mixed with ghee and rice and served to women after childbirth. It helps in relieving toothache. Bael Fruit: This fruit is cooling and a laxative. The unripe fruit helps in digestion and in the prevention of scurvy. A bael drink also helps in the cure of peptic ulcers. Betel leaves: The ordinary paan leaves have strong antiseptic properties. In many households, the betel leaf is warmed over fire, after soaking in mustard oil and put on the chest to relieve colds and chest congestion. It is also crushed and applied on a wound as a poultice. Paan is however mostly used as a mouth freshener.

Medical Properties

• Medicinal Properties:
  Diabetes: Mix 1/4 tsp powdered asafoetida in 2 tsp bitter gourd (karela) juice and have twice a day.
• Indigestion:
  Cut ripe banana into slices and sprinkle on top 1/4 tsp powdered asafoetida and a little salt to make it yummier.
• Stomachache:
  Dissolve 1 tsp asafoetida in 1 teacup hot water. Drench a cloth pad and pat on the abdominal area.
• Kidney-Problems:
  Mix 1/4 tsp asafoetida with 2 tsp fresh ginger juice and a pinch of salt. Sip in intervals throughout the day.
• Toothache:
  Heat 1/2 tsp asafoetida in 2 tsp lemon juice. Soak a little cotton in this solution and place it in the tooth cavity.