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While talking on the advancement of unani medicine Hakeem Hashmi, the foremost unani practitioner points out that most minor ailments requires to be treated only with simple home remedies and for most common ailments simple home remedies are available. The modern urbanite is subjected to continuous chemical bombardment from infancy through adulthood to old age, due to the use of artificial manure and disinfecting of land, water and vegetation with chemical pesticides, or the excessive ingestion of synthetic manmade drugs as tonics and medicines, the human system gets saturated with chemical. Without resorting to ret rograde steps one should try to minimize this influence. At least in the field of healthcare, home remedies can check unnecessary synthetic drugging. As of a home remedy, the best known name is asafoetida or heeng.
Asafoetida or heeng is not only popular condiment to spice food but also a powerful medicine in its own right. According to Hakeem Hashmi, asafoetida is a resinous gum of tall perennial herb, with robust carrot shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavoring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures. In alternative medicines like unani, asafoetida is widely used.
Asafoetida has several varieties, which are distributed, from Mediterranean region to central Asia. Some believe that soldiers of Alexander the great, spread it to many parts of central Asia and Indian sub continent. It is grown in Iran and Afghanistan, some varieties, abundantly in Punjab, Kashmir, western Tibet and Afghanistan.
Asafoetida is produced in the form of gum by scratching the root of the plant; just below the stem and a cut is made, from this cut emerges a thick juice. A vessel covers that portion of the root so that no dirt, dust or sunshine may fail on it. After some days when this juice becomes thick and semi solid in appearance, it is taken out. This way for more than three months the root is scratched and the juice is gathered. It appears like gum in the final shape. Asafoetida has been held in great esteem amongst indigenous medicines, particularly in unani system from the earliest times. It is reputed as a drug, which expels wind from the stomach and counteracts any spasmodic disorders. It is also a nervine stimulant, digestive agent and a sedative.
Here, prominent unani practitioner Hakeem Hashmi discusses the many heeling qualities of asafoetida.
In the treatment of respiratory disorders such as whooping cough, asthma & bronchitis asafoetida is very useful. About 3 to 6 centigram of this gum, mixed with 2 teaspoon of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice & a teaspoon of betel leaf juice, taken thrice daily would keep the patient away from such disorders.
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About 6 GMS of heeng should be fried in ghee and mixed with honey and a teaspoon of fresh latex of banyan tree. This mixture should be taken once daily for 40 days before sunrise. It is also considered a specific medicine for spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation.
Inhaling this gum prevents hysterical attacks.
The herb is extensively used in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. There is an old European belief that small piece of this gum, hung around a child's neck, and would protect it from many diseases, especially germs that are sensitive to its particular odour.
The herb is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, unwanted abortion, premature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea. About 12 GMS of gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 GMS of goat's fresh milk and tablespoon of honey, should be given thrice daily for a month. It excited the secretion of progesterone hormone.
Asafoetida is also useful for women after childbirth. Owing to its antiflatulent and digestive properties the herb can be taken with beneficial results during the post delivery period.
The herbs is an effective remedy for several diseases of the stomach. It is one of the best remedies available for flatulence and is an essential ingredient for most of the digestive powders.
In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth steeped in it may be used for fomenting abdomen.
Asafoetida's usefulness in medicinal cure is endless. It helps to cure arthritis, anus itching, bleeding piles, cataract, chronic wounds, deafness, epilepsy, foul breath, jaundice, memory loss, insect bite, weak heart and many more.
It also works as an antidote of opium, the herbs is used as an antidote of opium. Given in the same quantity as opium ingested by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug. The gum resin is relished as a condiment in many Asian countries, such as India, Iran, Sri lanka and Middle East countries, where it is used to flavour curries, meatballs, dal & pickles. It is used in Europe and the united stated in perfumes and for flavouring. The whole plant is also used as a fresh vegetable.
Hakeem Hashmi describes this herb as most valuable jewel in the treasure house of unani system. So do not forget do add spice (asafoetida) to your food 
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