Common Name: Asafoetida

General Information

Ferula foetida is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a taproot; it can grow up to 100vm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. This species is a minor commercial source of the medicinal and culinary gum asafoetida, which is mainly obtained from Ferula assa-foetida[] It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and western Asia - Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Habitat

Sandy deserts[, ]. Rocky hillsides[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ferula foetida is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. Plants have been grown successfully at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens[].
Succeeds in most soils[]. Requires a deep fertile soil in a sunny position[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance due to their long taproot[]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[, ] or eaten raw[].

A gum-resin from the root is used as a food flavouring. It is much used in India, despite having an offensive odour[]. It is an essential ingredient of Worcester sauce, and is also used to flavour a wide range of dishes and drinks[]. Popular in natural food cuisine as a garlic substitute[].

Medicinal

This species has been used as a food flavouring and medicinal herb. It is still sometimes used in modern herbalism where it is especially valued in the treatment of hysteria, some nervous conditions, bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough[]. It was at one time employed in the treatment of infantile pneumonia and flatulent colic[].

The gum resin is antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, sedative[, ]. The volatile oil in the gum is eliminated through the lungs, making this an excellent treatment for asthma[]. The gum does have a vile taste and so it is usually taken as a pill or as a suppository[].

Aerial parts Edible with high diuretic, antispasmodic and anthelminthic potentials[].

Roots Effective to cure of backache and rheumatism[]

Other Uses

A gum-resin is obtained from incisions in the roots and rhizomes[]. The stem is removed at the end of the growing season, the root uncovered and a thin slice removed[]. The gum exudes and hardens and a fresh slice is then made[]. The gum is a source of an essential oil which has medicinal properties and is also used as a food flavouring and in perfumery[, , ].

An extract of the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner and tonic[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[]. Otherwise sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions whilst still small because the plants dislike root disturbance[]. If necessary, give the plants a protective mulch for their first winter outdoors.
Division in autumn. This may be inadvisable due to the plants dislike of root disturbance.