Ferula assa-foetida

A resinous gum derived from the root of Ferula assa-foetida, a perennial herb native to Iran and Afghanistan. It exudes a strong sulphurous odour due to its high volatile oil content.

Proved by Hahnemann and included in Materia Medica Pura. Its effects are largely functional, with distinct nervous, gastrointestinal, and hysterical manifestations.

• Complementary: Silicea, Pulsatilla
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Hepar sulphuris in ulceration
• Precedes well: China in nervous exhaustion
• Inimical: None noted

• Nerves – especially in hysterical and functional disorders
• Digestive tract – flatulence, eructation, distension
• Throat and oesophagus – globus hystericus
• Bones and periosteum – neuralgic, boring or tearing pains
• Skin – ulcers, discharges
• Circulation – flushes, throbbing
• Left side – many symptoms appear or localise to the left

The mental state of Asafoetida is characteristically nervous, excitable, and hysterical. There is a sensation of inner turmoil, with sudden mood swings, fits of weeping or laughter, and exaggerated emotional responses. Patients may feel as though all complaints are magnified—each symptom is experienced with great intensity. Delusions of imminent death, extreme anxiety over minor ailments, and morbid introspection are common. [Hahnemann] described it as a remedy for individuals whose nervous systems are so overstimulated that they respond to the slightest internal or external stimuli with trembling, gasping, or exaggerated sensations. Sensation of a foreign body or ball rising in the throat—the classic globus hystericus—is highly characteristic. Irritability and nervous tension may alternate with apathy or exaggerated theatrical behaviour. Suited to those who are overly sensitive, yet paradoxically hysterical and hypochondriacal.

Restless, interrupted sleep. Disturbed by flatulence or nightmares. Jerking limbs prevent falling asleep. Dreams vivid and unsettling.

Anxious dreams of suffocation, imprisonment, or loss. Dreams of conflict or illness. Wakes with a sense of dread or impending doom.

Symptoms often alternate or appear paradoxical. Asafoetida is especially suited to those with suppressed discharges, leading to internal turmoil—digestive or emotional. Affections frequently left-sided. Oversensitive to light, noise, odours, and emotional cues. Nervous system hyperreactive. A classical hysterical picture with functional disorders rather than structural pathology.

Anxious dreams of suffocation, imprisonment, or loss. Dreams of conflict or illness. Wakes with a sense of dread or impending doom.

Chilliness with cold extremities. Sudden heat in face and chest. Perspiration oily, offensive, especially during sleep or excitement. Fever may be erratic or nervous in origin.

Throbbing, pulsating headaches, especially in the temples and occiput. Sensation as if the skull would burst. Pressure extending from behind forwards or upward. Vertigo with flushing, especially during digestive disturbances. Head feels full, with hot rushes and intolerance of noise or light. Often worse in the evening or from mental effort.

Sensation as if eyes were protruding or too large. Pressure behind the eyes. Dull aching in eyeballs, especially left. Photophobia. Flickering before vision. [Clarke] notes protrusion of the eyeballs in neuralgic states or from cerebral congestion.

Boring, stitching pains in the left ear. Pulsation and heat. Sudden noises or rushing sounds. Hearing acutely sensitive or dulled. Discharges from the ears with fetid odour. Deafness of functional origin or due to obstruction.

Dryness with sensation of constriction. Excessive sneezing. Nosebleeds during headaches. Illusions of odour—foul or sulphurous smells perceived even when none are present. Mucous membranes dry and irritable.

Redness and heat during emotional flare-ups or headaches. Twitching or trembling of facial muscles. Neuralgic pains darting from temples to jaw. Lips dry and cracked. Expression often startled or anxious.

Tongue coated yellow or white. Offensive breath, especially during indigestion. Bitter or metallic taste. Frothy saliva or dryness. Burning in the palate or inner lips. Speech hurried or broken due to nervousness.

Tearing, boring pains in left lower molars, aggravated at night. Pain may radiate along jaw or up to temples. Teeth may feel too long or loose. Soreness of gums, with bleeding or offensive smell.

Key symptom: sensation of a ball rising in the throat—globe hystericus. Throat feels constricted, tight, or suffocative. Spasms of the oesophagus with belching or swallowing difficulty. Dryness or heat in the throat, with constant need to swallow.

Hysterical cramps or uterine spasms. Menses suppressed, painful, or irregular. Leucorrhoea offensive, acrid, and often dark-coloured. Breast tenderness with nervous excitement. Sensation of heat or crawling in vulva or womb. Sensitivity to pressure over ovaries.

Palpitations from slightest excitement. Feeling as if heart would stop. Sudden flushes or pulsations extending from chest to neck. Pulse rapid, weak, or irregular. Functional arrhythmias.

Palpitations from slightest excitement. Feeling as if heart would stop. Sudden flushes or pulsations extending from chest to neck. Pulse rapid, weak, or irregular. Functional arrhythmias.

One of the central arenas of Asafoetida’s action. There is excessive flatulence, which accumulates rather than passes, producing bloating and discomfort. Eructations are loud, violent, often offensive, sometimes described as putrid or sulphurous. Nausea, especially when rising or from emotional causes. Gurgling and rumbling in the epigastrium. Regurgitation of food or gas with relief. Appetite irregular—either ravenous or entirely absent. [Boericke] emphasised its use in cases of hysterical dyspepsia with air hunger and oppression.

Distension of the entire abdomen with crampy or colicky pains. Sensation as if a living thing were moving inside. Pressure relieves discomfort. Constipation alternating with diarrhoea. Pains radiate from left hypochondrium to pelvis. Frequent gurgling. Suited to patients with bloated bellies from suppressed eruptions or emotional turmoil.

Constipation with ineffectual urging. Sensation as if rectum were full or blocked. Sudden, forceful, foul-smelling stools. Itching or crawling in rectum. Haemorrhoids with pulsating pain and fullness.

Frequent desire to urinate, but small quantities passed. Dribbling or interrupted stream. Burning at neck of bladder. Urine often offensive, cloudy, and high-coloured. Nervous origin to many symptoms—urgency in emotionally charged situations.

Desire for pungent, spicy foods. Aversion to meat or fatty food. Aggravated by starchy, fermentable substances. Flatulence worse after sweets or legumes.

Pain in spermatic cords, worse on left side. Testes swollen or painful. Sexual desire may be increased or entirely absent. Seminal emissions without dreams. Genitals feel heavy or retracted.

Hysterical cramps or uterine spasms. Menses suppressed, painful, or irregular. Leucorrhoea offensive, acrid, and often dark-coloured. Breast tenderness with nervous excitement. Sensation of heat or crawling in vulva or womb. Sensitivity to pressure over ovaries.

Boring, tearing pains in spine, especially in sacrum. Drawing sensation from lumbar region to neck. Spine overly sensitive to touch. Coldness along spine alternating with flushes. Better from firm pressure.

Boring, tearing pains in spine, especially in sacrum. Drawing sensation from lumbar region to neck. Spine overly sensitive to touch. Coldness along spine alternating with flushes. Better from firm pressure.

Boring, tearing pains in spine, especially in sacrum. Drawing sensation from lumbar region to neck. Spine overly sensitive to touch. Coldness along spine alternating with flushes. Better from firm pressure.

• Ignatia – Hysterical, emotional fluctuations, but with sighing, throat globus more pronounced
• Moschus – More theatrical, fainting spells and nervous aphonia
• Nux moschata – Drowsiness and dreamy dissociation, more dryness
• Lycopodium – Flatulence and distension, but more hepatic and right-sided
• Carbo veg – Air hunger and offensive flatus, but with collapse and coldness

• Complementary: Silicea, Pulsatilla
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Hepar sulphuris in ulceration
• Precedes well: China in nervous exhaustion
• Inimical: None noted

• Complementary: Silicea, Pulsatilla
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Hepar sulphuris in ulceration
• Precedes well: China in nervous exhaustion
• Inimical: None noted

Mind

• Hysteria
• Anxiety from flatulence
• Delusion, dying soon
• Emotional outbursts alternating with indifference

Throat

• Sensation of ball in throat
• Spasm of oesophagus
• Choking when swallowing

Stomach

• Flatulence, extreme, with distension
• Eructations, loud, putrid
• Nausea with oppression

Skin

• Ulcers with offensive discharge
• Suppressed eruptions
• Discolouration around wounds

Generalities

• Worse suppression of discharges
• Worse rest, better walking
• Left-sided symptoms

• Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Provided original proving data with emphasis on functional and hysterical states
• T.F. Allen – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Detailed proving symptoms including GI and emotional themes
• John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Described the remedy’s role in hysteria, digestion, and suppression
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual: Gave clinical keynotes for flatulence, hysteria, and ulcers
• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Added confirmations in nervous affections and facial neuralgia