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.

Widely used in traditional Indian and Persian medicine for indigestion, flatulence, and hysteria. In culinary settings, it is a key flavouring in Indian cuisine and a carminative.

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

• 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

• Walking in open air
• Discharge of flatus or eructation
• Pressure over affected parts
• Distraction from complaints
• Bending forward (for abdominal distension)

• Walking in open air
• Discharge of flatus or eructation
• Pressure over affected parts
• Distraction from complaints
• Bending forward (for abdominal distension)

• 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

• 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