There are many things in our kitchen that make food taste unique. One of these is hing. It is considered the 'pride of the kitchen'. Adding asafoetida to pulses or vegetables not only adds aroma but also enhances its taste.
Asafoetida is also beneficial for our health. Drinking a pinch of asafoetida mixed with warm water in winter reduces the risk of viral infections. Also, many other health problems can be avoided by including hing in your diet.
So today In work news We will talk about the benefits of hing. You will also know that-
- Why should hing be included in winter diet?
- Which diseases are benefited by drinking asafoetida water?
Expert: Dr. Navneet Arya, MD, Panchakarma, Sri Sai Institute of Ayurvedic Research and Medicine, Bhopal
Q- How is asafoetida made?
Answer- Generally people think that hing is made in a factory, but it is not at all. It has one plant. It is called 'ferula'. This plant looks like mustard or fennel plant. Asafoetida is not extracted from its leaves and stems but from the root of the plant.
A thick substance like glue comes out from the root of the plant. This is pure asafoetida, but it is very strong. Mixing it directly into food can spoil its taste.
So starch, menda or rice flour is mixed in it and dried in the sun. Later it is ground and made suitable for mixing in food. Commonly available hing in the market contains 30% hing and 70% starch.
Q- Where is hing produced? Answer- Most of the hing used in India comes from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. According to a Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) report, India imports 1200 tonnes of asafoetida from these countries every year. Although asafoetida is not produced in India, India is the largest consumer of asafoetida in the world.
Q- What are the medicinal properties of hing?
Answer- Hinga has anti-acidity, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, which protect us from many diseases.
Question- How beneficial is hing for health in winter?
Answer- Asafoetida has a warming effect, which keeps our body warm from within in winter. It reduces the risk of viral infection. Understand how beneficial hing is for our health from the graphic below.
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.
Reduces risk of cold, cough and flu
A pinch of hing protects against 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. Apart from this, blood circulation is also good.
Cholesterol remains under control
Asafoetida also controls cholesterol levels in the body. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke.
Question- How much quantity 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 enough. Excessive consumption of hing can also cause side effects.
Q- How can you include hing in your diet?
Answer- Asafoetida can be incorporated into your diet in many ways. Understand it with the following indicators-
Mix asafoetida in water and drink it
You can mix asafoetida in water and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning. Mixing a pinch of asafoetida in a glass of lukewarm water and drinking it has many benefits. This keeps the digestive system healthy, leading to no problems with indigestion, gas or stomach aches. Apart from this, drinking asafoetida water is beneficial for people who get viral infections at the beginning of winter.
Mix asafoetida with beans and vegetables
Adding hing to pulses and vegetables not only enhances the taste but also strengthens the immune system. This helps fight seasonal diseases that occur in winter. Apart from this, problems like indigestion, sour belching, stomach pain and indigestion are cured.
Make powder of hing and ginger
Both ginger and hing are very beneficial for the stomach. Make a paste of hing and ginger and mix it with water and drink it. This reduces belly fat and helps in weight loss.
Question- What kind of side effects can be caused by eating too much hing?
Answer- Anything should be consumed in limited quantities as excessive consumption can also cause side effects. Consuming asafoetida in excess can cause many problems. Understand this from the following graphic-
Q- Who should not eat hing?
Answer- Dr. Navneet Arya says that asafoetida does not harm anyone if consumed in proper quantity. However, people who have stomach problems like ulcers and gastritis should avoid eating hing. This can further aggravate the problem.
Question- How much does hing cost?
Answer- The price of hing depends on the type of starch added to it. Usually the price of 1 kg of pure asafoetida ranges from 5 thousand to 25 thousand rupees. This rate is more or less depending on the brand and quality of hing.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
