Question

Asafoetida is
a. Oleoresin
b. Gum resin
c. Hard resin
d. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Asafoetida is a dried latex which is extracted from the rhizome or some roots of the plants which belong to the family Ferula, it is commonly called as hing.

Complete answer:
Asafoetida is also called as food of devil’s or devil dung
> It has a pungent smell and is gummy in nature when it is extracted, but when it is cooked it gives good taste and aroma.
> It mainly contains resin, gum, volatile oil, and ash
> It is mainly used in the food as condiment and in the pickles, it acts as digestive acid.
> It is used in the some of the medical treatment such as stimulant of nervous system
> It also used as laxative, sedative and in case of bronchitis and asthma
> It is used as the flavoring agent in many of the spices and it is also used as antidote for opium
> It is bitter in taste and very pungent in smell
> This herb is mainly grown in the parts of Iran and Afghanistan, from where it is exported to the rest of the world.
> It is used as medicine in Ayurveda and unani.
> In olden days the gum extracted from the Asafoetida is worn around the neck for cold and fevers.
> In Persia it is considered as food of God
> In plants like Ferula the roots are carrot shaped which are grown for 4 to 5 years and then they cut and latex is extruded.

> So from the above explanation the correct option is gum resin


Note: The resin which is extracted from the roots where the fresh resin is greyish white in colour initially, but when it is dried it is turned to amber colour.