11 hours agoAuthor: Sandeep Singh
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Our There are many things in the kitchen which make the taste of food unique. One of these is asafoetida. It is considered the ‘pride of the kitchen’. As soon as asafoetida is added to pulses or vegetables, they not only get fragrant, but their taste also increases.
Asafoetida is also beneficial for our health. In winter, drinking a pinch of asafoetida mixed with hot water reduces the risk of viral infection. Also, many other health problems can be avoided by including asafoetida in your diet.
So let’s go today needed news I will talk about the benefits of asafoetida. You will also learn that-
- Why should asafoetida be included in the diet in winter?
- In which diseases is drinking asafoetida water beneficial?
Expert: Dr. Navneet Arya, MD, Panchakarma, Sri Sai Institute Ayurvedic Research and Medicine, Bhopal
Question- How is asafoetida made?
answer- Generally people think that asafoetida is made in a factory, but it is not so at all. It has one plant. It is called ‘ferula’. This plant looks like a mustard or fennel plant. Asafoetida is extracted from the roots of the plant rather than its leaves and stems.
A thick substance like gum comes out from the root of the plant. This is pure asafoetida, but it is very strong. Mixing it directly in food can spoil the taste.
Therefore, starch, flour or rice flour is mixed in it and dried in the sun. Later it is ground and made suitable for mixing in food. Generally the asafoetida available in the market contains 30% asafoetida and 70% starch.
Question- Where is asafoetida produced?
answer- Most of the asafoetida used in India comes from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. According to a report by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India imports 1200 tonnes of asafoetida from these countries every year. Even though asafoetida is not produced in India, the highest consumption of asafoetida in the world is in India.
Question- What medical properties does asafoetida have?
answer- Asafoetida has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, which protect us from many diseases.
Question- How beneficial is asafoetida for health in winter?
answer- Asafoetida has a warming effect, which keeps our body warm from inside in winter. This reduces the risk of viral infection. Understand from the graphic below how beneficial asafoetida is for our health.
Let us now talk about the above points in detail.
digestive system remains healthy
Asafoetida contains anti-oxidants, which provide relief from stomach related problems. Asafoetida is helpful in keeping our digestive system healthy.
The risk of cold, cough and flu is reduced
A pinch of asafoetida protects from cold, cough and other seasonal diseases. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which also prevent respiratory problems.
blood pressure remains under control
Asafoetida is beneficial for high blood pressure patients. It contains a compound called coumarin. This helps in controlling blood pressure. Besides this, blood circulation also remains better.
Cholesterol remains under control
Asafoetida also controls cholesterol level in the body. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.
Question: How much amount of asafoetida should be added to food?
answer- Dr. Navneet Arya explains that the amount of asafoetida in food depends on personal preference, quality of asafoetida and medical condition. However, adding a pinch of asafoetida to pulses or vegetables is sufficient. Consuming too much asafoetida can also cause side-effects.
Question- How can you include asafoetida in your diet?
answer- Asafoetida can be included in your diet in many ways. Understand it with the pointers below-
Drink asafoetida mixed with water
You can mix asafoetida in water and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. There are many benefits of drinking a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of asafoetida. This keeps the digestion system healthy, due to which there is no problem of indigestion, gas or stomach pain. Apart from this, drinking asafoetida water is beneficial for those who get viral infections early in winter.
Mix asafoetida in pulses and vegetables
Adding asafoetida to pulses and vegetables not only enhances the taste but also strengthens the immune system. This helps in fighting seasonal diseases occurring in winter. Besides, problems like indigestion, sour belching, stomach ache and indigestion are cured.
Make asafoetida and ginger powder
Both ginger and asafoetida are very beneficial for the stomach. Make a paste of asafoetida and ginger and mix it in water and drink. This reduces belly fat and helps in weight loss.
Question- What kind of side effects can occur from eating too much asafoetida?
answer- Anything should be eaten only in limited quantity because excessive consumption also causes side effects. Eating asafoetida in excess quantity can cause many problems. Understand this from the graphic below-
Question- Which people should not eat asafoetida?
answer- Dr. Navneet Arya says that if asafoetida is eaten in the right quantity then it has no harm to anyone. However, people who have stomach problems like ulcers and gastritis should avoid eating asafoetida. This may increase this problem further.
Question- How much does asafoetida cost?
answer- The price of asafoetida depends on the type of starch added to it. Generally, the price of 1 kg pure asafoetida can range from Rs 5 thousand to Rs 25 thousand. This rate is more or less depending on the brand and quality of asafoetida.
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