Asafoetida, Stinking Gum
Ferula assa-foetida

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can grow 3-4 m high. The stems can be 7.5 cm across. The plant has a bad smell. The stems are thick and coarse. When wounded the stems exude a white sticky sap which turns red-yellow. The upper leaf sheath is about 9 cm long by 4 cm wide. At the base 3-4 leaves occur together. They are 3-3.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. The flowers occur in a rounded panicle. The flowers are bright yellow. The flowers only appear after about 5 years of growth. The fruit are in a rounded head. There are 10-50 rays.

There are 172 Ferula species. It is anti flatulent.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry stony locations. It needs rich, well-drained soil. It needs to be in the sun. It grows up to 100 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Bangladesh, Central Asia, China, Europe, Greece, India, Indochina, Iran, Italy, Laos, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

It is used as a seasoning. The resin is sold in lumps. It is used to flavour soups, curried fish, sauces and pickles. The leaves and stems can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The bad smell disappears with cooking. The spice is made from the milk like juice of the plant. It is added to meat balls and gives a truffle like flavour. It is also used in Worcestershire sauce. The young folded heads are eaten raw. The roots are roasted and eaten.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, spice, stems, gum

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

The sap is collected from plants that are at least 4 years old. The roots are exposed then slashed in a shady location for 4-6 weeks until the resin seeps out and hardens. The drying resin is then scraped off. The powder is made by grinding the dried resin with some form of starch.

Its other names

Local names

Ase fetide, Assafetida, Balhika, Devil's dung, Ferule persique, Food-of-the-gods, Haltheeth, Heeng, Hengu, Hing, Hinga, Hingu, Inguva, Laser, Maha hing, Perungayam, Perunkaya, Sheingho, Shein-ngo-bin, Steckenkraut, Stinkasant, Stinkendes, Terfelsdreck, Tyib, Yang

Synonyms

Ferula rubicaulis Boissier; Ferula pseudalliacea Rech.f.; Narthex polakii Stapf & Wettst.;