Asafetida (Noun)
Meaning
The brownish gum resin of various plants; has strong taste and odor; formerly used as an antispasmodic.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Asafetida has been used in Indian medicine for centuries due to its purported antispasmodic and carminative properties.
- In the Middle Ages, asafetida was a key ingredient in a medicine that treated various types of fever and even the plague.
- In the US during the early 19th century, asafetida was still widely prescribed for everything from nervous indigestion to fits.
- Traditional Iranian cooking also relies heavily on asafetida for its unique flavor, particularly when paired with dried lemon or barberries.
- Historical records indicate that ancient Romans also valued asafetida for its possible medicinal properties and used it as an antispasmodic.