Asfoetida (Heeng) Properties, Indications, Contra-Indications

Properties:

  • It has a Pungent taste and a HEATING potency. Balances Kapha and Vata. Increases Pitta.
  • It is light & easy to digest, enters deep tissues & can break accumulation of doshas/dhatus/malas.
  • DIGESTIVE, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-spasmodic, Analgesic, Anti-helmintic,  Anti-convulsant, Cardiac tonic, Anti-viral, Expectorant, Urine stimulant, Emmenagogue (ability to provoke menstruation).
  • It is added as a spice for flavouring the food.


Indications:

  • Bloating, Abdominal colic pain, Gaseous distention of abdomen, Flatulence and Constipation.
  • Asthma, Chronic bronchitis, Swine Flu (H1N1) and other Respiratory disorders.
  • Paralysis, Facial paralysis, Hemiplegia, Sciatica, Convulsions & other unconscious disorders.
  • Disurea and related pains.
  • Dysmennorohoea
  • Rheumatoid arthritis, Low backache, Cervical pain.
  • It improves Cholestrol metabolism in the body, thereby reducing Blood Cholestrol level.
  • It reduces inflammation of blood vessels and deposition of cholesterol plaque in the blood vessels, thereby prevents Atherosclerosis.

Dietary dosage: 5mg – 30mg/day
Therapeutic dosage: 10mg – 250 mg/day (Only on prescription of an Ayurvedic physician).

Contra-indications:

  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation (Low dietary dosage can be taken if it is not causing sensitivity to the child)
  • Symptoms or History of Hyperacidity, Gastritis, Bleeding disorders.

— Dr. Malika Ahuja

3 thoughts on “Asfoetida (Heeng) Properties, Indications, Contra-Indications

  1. Thanks for the very useful article. In some homes, very large amounts are used that are surely much higher than the upper limits mentioned by you. Such families are definitely going to benefit from this article.

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