Asafoetida: 4 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
See also

Introduction:

Asafoetida means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the Hindus

Asafoetida is denoted by the Sanskrit term Hiṅgu, and is an ingredient to be administered to domesticated elephants, according to the 15th century Matangalila composed by Nilakantha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 11, “On the keeping of elephants and their daily and seasonal regimen”]: “12. He shall always cause wheat and barley to be given, [...] flavored with asafoetida (hiṅgu), [...] and the fruit of Embelia ribes (a vermifuge).[...]”.

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Asafoetida (is Sanskrit: hiṅgu) is used in the protection rites of Horses (Aśvarakṣaṇa), according to Āyurveda sections in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—For the Rakṣa (protection) Revanta-pūjā, (worship of God Revanta) homa (sacrificial offerings) and dvija-bhojana (feeding of Brahmins) should be performed in favor of the horse. And a compound made up of following drugs should be tied round the neck of the horse [e.g., hiṅgu (asafoetida)] [...].

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Asafoetida is an ingredient of an herbal remedy to handle serpents (and snake-venom), as described in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Kāśyapa imparts various combinations of the Garuḍa Mantra, a wide range of different nyāsas and rituals to enslave serpents and use them for the bite-victim’s recovery caused by poison. He also mentions that a particular herbal combination [including Asafoetida, ...] enable one to handle serpents with ease while the nails of cat, lizard, pigeon and sparrow assist in the extraction of the snake’s teeth.

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Drumavichitrikaranam—The Ancient Approach to Plant Mutagenesis

Asafoetida was used in a recipe to destroy trees: which was one of the technologies known to ancient Indian agriculturists, which presents a safe technology and methodology regarding organic agriculture, according to treatises (such as the Vrikshayurveda). One such technology was to destroy trees: Since trees have been traditionally worshipped in India as abodes of various Gods. It is said in the scriptures that trees should be reared just as one would rear one’s own offspring. Killing them incurs sins. Despite these injunctions, methods are described to destroy trees. These include sprinkling extracts of Dolichos biflorus (horse gram), placing a piece of asafoetida at the roots, or sprinkling salt water at the roots.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Relevant text

Search found 45 books and stories containing Asafoetida; (plurals include: Asafoetidas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Anxiolytic and antiepileptic effects of asafoetida oleo-gum resin < [2014: Volume 3, September issue 6]

Chemopreventive activity of spices via cell viability assay. < [2018: Volume 7, May issue 9]

Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of Thuthuvalayathy Chooranam. < [2014: Volume 3, November issue 9]

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Effect of Ferula assa foetida resin on 4T1-induced breast cancer. < [Volume 8 (issue 3), Jul-Sep 2017]

Effects of Ferula assa-foetida on sperm and testicular histopathology. < [Volume 6 (issue 3), Jul-Sep 2015]

Medicines (f): Gum-Resins (Jatu) < [Chapter 4 - Medicinal Substances in the Chapter on Medicine]

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Antagonistic Mechanisms of Ferula assafoetida on Muscarinic Receptors < [v.23(1): 1–86 2016 Jan]

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Page 529 < [Sanskrit words in the Southeast Asian Languages]

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