Chukde Spices Hing/Asafoetida

Here are some common hing uses:

• Tempering (Tadka): Add a pinch of hing to hot oil or ghee before adding other spices for enhanced aroma and flavor.
• Lentils & Pulses: Add a pinch of hing while cooking dals like toor dal, moong dal, or chana dal—it not only enhances the flavor but also helps with digestion and reduces bloating.
• Vegetable Dishes: Sprinkle a small amount while cooking vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, or brinjal for extra taste.
• Flatbreads & Snacks: Add hing to the dough for puris, kachoris, or pakoras for a subtle umami flavor.
• Pickles & Chutneys: Use hing in pickles, chutneys, and raitas for an authentic tangy touch.
• Ayurvedic Use: Dissolve a pinch of hing powder in warm water and consume it for relief from gas and indigestion.
• Non-Vegetarian Dishes: Use in meat or fish curries to balance strong odors and enhance taste.
• Homemade Spice Blends: Add to spice mixes like sambar powder, rasam powder, or chaat masala for a punch of flavor.

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. We emphasize consulting a doctor before consuming anything in your diet.

Here are 3 major of the Hing benefits (source):

1. Good Source of Antioxidants

Asafoetida seeds are rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds like tannins and flavonoids. These help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These properties may also reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Test-tube and animal studies show it has antioxidant effects, but researchers need more human studies. Since people use it in small amounts for cooking, its practical benefits remain unclear.

2. May Be Good for Digestion

In a 30-day study on 43 adults, researchers found that taking 250 mg of asafoetida twice daily reduced bloating and improved digestion. However, the supplement’s producer funded the study.

The spice may also enhance digestion by boosting enzyme activity and bile release, but its effect on reducing gas lacks scientific support.

3. May Help Reduce Symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Asafoetida seeds may relieve IBS symptoms like bloating and discomfort, but research remains limited and mixed. Some studies show improvement, while others find no effect. That said, asafoetida can be a great alternative to onion and garlic, which contain fructans—fermentable carbs that can sometimes worsen IBS symptoms.