Asafoetida (Hing) Therapeutic and Pharmacological Potential in Gynecological Disorders and Womens Health: A Unani Review

Asafeotida is well-known herbal drug of Umbellifera family in various traditional medicines for its tremendous effects on different gynecological diseases and women’s health. It is oleo-gum resin obtained by incision from the rhizome and roots of Ferula foetida Regel, Ferula rubricaulis Regel and other species of ferula. It is commercially available in three forms tear, mass and paste. This herb found from Mediterranean region to Central Asia specifically Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and also cultivated in India. It is listed in British Pharmacopeia as Antispasmodic, Stimulant in Hysteria, Emmenagouge, and Uterine Tonic. In Unani System it is used as Antispasmodic, Stimulant, Emmenagogue, Abortificant and Contraceptive, Resolvent, for Sexual potency, Analgesic, Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, and Uterine Tonic. In recent studies it has shown Anti-tumor and Antioxidant activity in Breast Cancer, Analgesic, Antispasmodic and Anti-inflammatory effect in Dysmenorrhea, effective in hormonal imbalance in Menopause and PCOS, Emmenagouge in Amenorrhea and PCOS, Anti-fungal effect in Vaginal Candidiasis, Antimicrobial effect, Anti-parasitic effect in Trichomonas Vaginalis, Antifertility and abortificant effect, and Anxiolytic and sedative effect in Hysteria. This article discusses the pharmacognosy, therapeutic potential and pharmacological studies and effect of Ferula foetida Regel. (Asafeotida) along women’s health and gynecological uses with comprehensive review bases on Unani Medicine.