Common Name: Galbanum

General Information

Ferula gummosa is a monocarpic perennial plant growing from a stout taproot. It produces a solitary stem growing around 100cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of an aromatic gum. It is a main commercial source of the gum 'galbanum', which has a range of culinary, medicinal and other uses. The plant is sometimes also grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western and central Asia - central and northern Iran, Turkmenistan

Habitat

Herbaceous slopes in steppes[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Ferula gummosa is a plant of continental temperate climates with warm to hot summers and cold winters. It grows in arid to semi-arid environments. There are differing reports regarding the cold-hardiness of this species, one says it can only tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[], whilst another says that it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c[].
Ferula species generally can succeed in most soils[], though they prefer a deep, fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
Plants have a long taproot and are intolerant of root disturbance[]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.
The flowers have an unpleasant smell[].
A monocarpic species, the plant grows for some years without flowering before it flowers and then dies after setting seed[].

Edible Uses

The gum resin obtained from the root is used as a celery-like food flavouring[, ].

A gum, known as galbanu, is used as an additive to candy[]

Medicinal

The whole plant, but especially the root, contains the gum resin 'galbanum'[]. This is antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant and stimulant[, , , ]. It is used internally in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, asthma and other chest complaints[, ]. It is a digestive stimulant and antispasmodic, reducing flatulence, griping pains and colic[].
Externally the gum resin is used as a plaster to treat inflammatory swellings, ulcers, boils, wounds and skin complaints[, ].

The roots yield 2.84 - 3.78% essential oil containing d-copinene (80%), water-soluble aldehyde (3.6%), a phenol of unknown structure, and up to 24% of a resin which was once used as 'galbanum' in the manufacture of plasters[].

The fresh or dried aerial parts of the plant, combined with the aerial parts of Ferula badrakema, are used as a strong anti-hysteric, decongestant and anticonvulsant remedy. It is effective in treating some neurological disorders and as a tonic herbal medicine[].

Isolates of the plant have exhibited strong antimicrobial activity as well as cytotoxicity towards human cancer cell lines[].

Other Uses

The aromatic gum resin 'Galbanum' is obtained from wounds made in the stem[]. It is collected by removing soil from around the top of the root and then cutting a slice off the root[, ] and can also be obtained from incisions made in the stem[]. It is used medicinally and is also an ingredient of incense[, , , ]. It was an important ingredient of the incense used by the Israelites[].

An extract of the gum obtained from the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume[].
The essential oil obtained from the gum in the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antimicrobial, perfume 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.