Re: Re: hing or asafetida

02-13-2006, 04:12 PM

Hing is the same thing as asafetida. It is obtained from several species of
fennel-related plants. Asafetida is a dried gum resin, virtually odorless
in its solid form. When the stems of the giant perennials are cut, a
milk-like sap flows out which is sun-dried into a solid mass. The intensity
of flavor and color varies considerably from its source, but generally the
fresh resins are pearly-tan-colored and, with age, darken to a
chocolate-black.

When bulk quantities of solid resins are ground, they release a strong to
overpowering smell. For the most part, only two types are available in the
West: a finely-ground mustard-yellow powder; and a coarser, sandy-brown
grind. Both types are combined with small quantities of rice, wheat or
barley flour as well as gum arabic to prevent lumping and to cut the strong
flavor. Indian commercially ground asafetida varies considerably in
texture, color and purity.

Supposedly, the yellow-colored Cobra Brand asafetida compound is usually
recommended in recipes, as it is fairly mild. If you use any other form,
you need to reduce the quantities substantially, to 1/2 or 3/4 of the
suggested amount.

Asafetida is good for digestion and vatta type candida. Years ago, while I
was attending a course in New Mexico on healing, Yogi Bhajan asked me to
come to the front of the class, and he dug his hands into my abdomen, then
grabbed my spine. Afterwards, he said, "Oooh, that's what I thought--poor
digestion!" He told me to eat kitcheree with asafetia and roasted garlic
spread on bread. I didn't follow his advice, and I really suffered later.
I learned my lesson! Now I eat kitcheree with asafetia regularly (like
tonight)--with lots of garlic.

Blessings,
Nirmal Kaur
Anacortes, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marcy Bajusz"
To:
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 3:46 PM
Subject: RE: [Kundalini Yoga] Re: stomach/intestinal pain

>I have stomach problems and am curious what "hing" is.
>
> Thanks.
>
>