Ayurveda expert and Patanjali CEO Acharya Balkrishna recently wrote on Facebook about the benefits of hing (asafoetida). It is a common spice in Indian kitchens. He explained that this simple ingredient can give relief from stomach ache. In addition, it can also ease your cramps and gas and many families have used it for years as a natural home remedy.
He shared that when a person has pain or cramps in the stomach, they can take a small amount of hing. They can consume it along with ajwain and salt. According to him, half a small spoon of ajwain mixed with a pinch of hing and a little salt can help reduce stomach discomfort. He also suggested another easy way to use hing. He said that you can lightly heat hing in ghee or oil and then added to buttermilk along with a pinch of salt. Drinking this mixture may help when someone feels heavy, gassy or bloated.
Hing is known in Ayurveda for its strong effect on digestion. It helps the stomach work properly and allows food to break down more smoothly. It also reduces gas formation and eases cramps and relaxes the stomach muscles.
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Even though hing has a strong smell, its benefits for the stomach get wide respect in traditional Indian medicine. Many homes especially in north India use it in everyday cooking to avoid gas and indigestion.
People often add a pinch of hing in dal, sabzi or tadka, not only for flavour but also for better digestion. Some also mix it with warm water or ajwain water when they feel uneasy after meals. In many Indian households, elders sometimes apply a little hing paste on babies’ stomachs to ease gas, but this should always be done carefully and only after checking with a doctor.