Health Benefits of Hing And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Aug 06, 2020
Hing is a spice that is used for a variety of purposes. Hing is used in treating stomach disorders and cures people who are suffering from gas, bloating, acidity, constipation, and improves stomach health. Respiratory disorders are kept under control when asafoetida is consumed daily, and this is a good spice that can be taken in the cold and winter season as well.
Hing helps in removing chest congestion and also removes phlegm. It helps to maintain skin texture and improves skin moisture and radiance. Asafoetida is useful in treating menstrual issues like menstrual cramps, menstrual flow in women and is used in treating female infertility diseases like PCOD. Hing is a healthy spice that can prevent the growth of the H1N1 virus in the body. It has been found to improve the mood of a person and is an antidepressant.
What is Hing?
Hing is known as Asafoetida and is a spice. The spice is available in tablet and powdered form, that is extracted from herb Ferula. This is a potential smelling spice that is widely used in Indian and Persian cuisines. The strong flavor has given it the title “devils dung”, and this spice provides fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin, carotene and riboflavin. Asafoetida or hing spice is known as antiviral, antibacterial and is also used for medicinal purposes. Anticoagulant features are there in this spice, and it's diuretic too.
Nutritional Value of Hing per 100 Gm
Hing is known to have a high level of carbohydrates. 100 grams of hing contains 67% carbohydrates. 100 grams of asafoetida contains a 16% mixture, and it contains 4 % fiber. In nutrition facts of asafoetida powder content contain just 1% fat, and this is considered as paltry. 295 calories are released per 100 grams of hing. The hing is made up of approximately 17% oils, 65% resin and rest comprises of gum.
Nutritional facts Per 1 Tbsp
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Hing Powder
Hing for Stomach Problem
Hing is used in treating many stomach disorders, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. Further, anti-flatulent properties of hing ensure that problems like stomach gas, acidity, stomach burns stoamch ache, stomach worms, stomach infection and common stomach upset are kept in check and stomach health is restored. The chances of occurrence irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning are zero when Hing is added to the daily diet. Dissolving small pieces of Hing in warm water and drinking it daily after meals brings enormous benefits to stomach.
Hing for Respiratory Infection
Hing is known to have a high level of carbohydrates. 100 grams of asafoetida contains 67% carbohydrates. 100 grams of hing contains a 16% mixture, and it contains 4 % fiber. The fat content is just 1%, and this is considered as paltry. 295 calories are released per 100 grams of asafoetida. The hing is made up of approximately 17% oils, 65% resin and rest comprises of gum.
Asafoetida for Menstrual Problems
Women suffering from menstrual issues get relief when they add Hing to their diet. Irregular periods, menstrual pain and problems like overflow during periods are cured using Hing. Progesterone secretion is normalised in the body, and this regulates the blood flow
Asafoetida Medicinal Properties
Hing helps in the prevention of headaches caused by the blockages in blood vessels. Hing should be boiled in a cup of water, and this should be allowed to simmer for at least 15 minutes. This mixture should be taken many times a day to get relief from mild headaches. Hing has got coumarins, which are known for thinning blood vessels and help in the prevention of heart attacks. This further ensures that good cholesterol levels are appropriate in the body.
Hing Acts as Anti ageing spice
This asafoetida spice helps in removing wrinkles on the face. Hing can be used as a skin whitening agent and is used for removing black spots under the eyes. The oiliness of the skin is removed by applying the Hing mixture on the face. The production of tyrosine in the body is hampered when Hing is applied on the face. Tyrosine is responsible for the production of melanin, and this also leads to skin dullness.
The growth of acne producing bacteria is hampered when hing is added to the food. Skin pores are also kept free from dirt and oil when the asafoetida mixture is applied on the face. Hing mixture when applied on the skin helps in ensuring oxygen supply to the skin, and hence, improves the radiance of the skin.
Asafoetida Powder for Hair Growth
Hing helps in thick hair growth and to get shiny hair. It also helps in hair growth. The texture of hair is improved, and dandruff is controlled, when hing is applied. It also helps in scalp maintenance. The normal ph value of the scalp is restored and also keeps scalp oil-free.
Checks harmful viruses
The growth of harmful viruses such as H1N1 is kept under check when Hing is added to food. This is because when Hing comes in contact with this virus, it produces antibiotics and prevents the growth of the virus.
Cure for epilepsy
Asafoetida for Indigestion Problems
Hing is used extensively to treat stomach disorders like constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating. Toxins from the stomach are removed, and this also helps in restoring the ph level of the body. Hing mixture helps in increasing metabolism by giving high energy to the body. The reason is that toxic waste is flushed out from the body.
Anti depressive benefits
It is found to improve mood swings and depression, if hing is added to diet regularly.
Hing Improves Sexual Drive in Men & Women
It helps in the moisturizing the vagina. This is used to cure female infertility related problems like PCOD. In men, hing mixture prevents premature ejaculation and is a good health tonic.
Hing For Anti-cancer benefits
It prevents the growth of free radicals in the body and also prevents cell damage. Hing when mixed with turmeric offers various health benefits, as both are known for their anti-cancer properties.
Uses of Hing
Hing is used for making pickles and is used extensively in cooking. It is used to making dishes like sambhar and dal, which is a favorite vegetarian cuisine in India. The spice is normally added at the time of tempering and is also used in ayurvedic medicines. The occurrence of vatha and Kapha in the human body is controlled using ayurvedic medicines that are loaded with hing. Unwanted trees are uprooted by making a hole in the tree bark and then filling it with hing and closing the hole. Some people use hing for hysteria and insanity, and in the treatment of mental disorder. In some cases, cosmetic industries use hing as a fragrant. Hing is used for curing bee stings and other insect stings. It is also used in the treatment of ear aches and tooth aches as well as pimples. Hing is used as an ayurvedic mouth rinse, and it is also used for treating skin blemishes.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Hing
It is advised not to give hing to infants, as it can cause internal bleeding in them. Hing might cause a miscarriage when a pregnant woman takes it, and it can cause bleeding disorders in the infant if a breast feeding woman consumes hing. The reason is that hing will pass to the infant through mother’s milk. Blood clotting may be slowed down when hing is taken, and this is not recommended for people who have undergone a surgery recently. In some cases, too much of hing causes swelling of lips and can cause bloating and gas. In some people, diarrhea is caused when hing is taken.
Origin And Cultivation of Hing
It is advised not to give hing to infants, as it can cause internal bleeding in them. Hing might cause a miscarriage when a pregnant woman takes it, and it can cause bleeding disorders in the infant if a breast feeding woman consumes hing. The reason is that hing will pass to the infant through mother’s milk. Blood clotting may be slowed down when hing is taken, and this is not recommended for people who have undergone a surgery recently. In some cases, too much of hing causes swelling of lips and can cause bloating and gas. In some people, diarrhea is caused when hing is taken.
References
- Iranshahy M, Iranshahi M. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin)—A review. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2011 Mar 8;134(1):1-0. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Zare AR, Omidi M, Fallah Hoseini H, Yazdani D, Rezazadeh S, Irvani N, Oladzad A. A Review on pharmacological effects of Ferula assa-foetida L.: A systematic review. Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2011 Dec 15;4(40):17-25. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Yusufoglu HS, Soliman GA, Abdel-Rahman RF, Abdel-Kader MS, Ganaie MA, Bedir E, Erel SB, Öztürk B. Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Ferula assa-foetida and Ferula tenuissima extracts in diabetic rats. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 2015 Apr 1;18(7):314-23. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
Table of content
Ask a free question
Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors