Ellen Campbell-Grizzle
THERE ARE those who believe that scents have therapeutic effect and are valuable in the healing process. In this vein, scientists pursue aromachology (the study of scent and its ability to change human behaviour) for its role in everything from medicine to marketing, migraines to memory loss, and relaxation to revitalisation. For example, psychologists have used aroma to retrieve forgotten memories. After all, our sense of smell is our strongest memory trigger. The discussion of this subject often focuses on pleasant and delightful odours and the benefits that we derive from them.
However, it is time to focus on plants which have the not so pleasant scents but which also provide excellent benefits. An exceptional example is the case of asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida) and the pungent scent it emits.
Asafoetida (also known as heeng, Devil's Dung, Food for the gods, Stinking Gum) is a gum that comes from the sap of the roots and stems of the ferula species. It grows in sparse areas of Iran, Afghanistan and India where little else grows. One plant will yield up to 1kg of resin before it dries up. The resin is greyish-white when fresh but darkens with age to yellow, red and eventually brown. It is now packaged as a fine yellow crystalline or granulated powder.
ATTRIBUTED MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
The unpleasant smell of this substance has led to many unusual medical claims relating to the gum's capacity to ward off germs and evil spirits. For example, a small piece of resin would be tied to a string and hung around children's necks to protect against disease. In addition, early records mention that after Alexander the Great carried asafoetida west in the year 4 BC, it was used as a spice in Ancient Rome. The shock of its smell was used to cure hysteria in the American Wild West. Pungent spices mixed with this substance were used in that period to treat alcoholism.
Locally, some Jamaican elders used asafoetida as an antidote for flatulence (gas). Asafoetida has antispasmodic, expectorant and carminative properties, making it a good substitute for garlic and very useful to prevent and eliminate colic and gas. Medicinal claims were also once made for its use in treating respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough. It is no longer widely used for these purposes but there are those who claim that the gum, crushed and mixed with butter, serves other beneficial purposes such as enhancing the voices of singers.
CULINARY USES
In addition to its medicinal qualities, asafoetida has also been used as a powerful spice in cooking or preserving meat in some countries. It can last over a year if it is properly stored away from light and air. In remote parts of Afghanistan, without electricity or freezers, asafoetida is used to preserve meat. Some sections of Indian society also still use asafoetida as a substitute for onions and garlic, where these are forbidden. These vegetarians add small quantities to cooking liquid or hot oil. Others claim that it improves the flavour of vegetarian soups, pickles and fish dishes. The smell lessens with cooking.
Scents or nonsense
As with all issues, this subject has many sceptics and believers. There are ongoing studies into various aromas, their benefits and possible uses. Some examples of these are:
MENTAL STIMULANT
Peppermint and Lily of the Valley: Long-distance drivers
Lemon: Error reduction in the workplace
RELAXANT
Vanilla: Stress reduction
Fir: Stress reduction
Lavender:Stress reduction and mood enhancement
UPLIFTMENT
Basil: Mood enhancement
Rosewood: Mood enhancement
However, there is no denying that our sense of smell is able to process several aromas. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy sessions to help clients feel better. We know that feeling better can have tremendous therapeutic influence on stress related emotional and psychological symptoms.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle is president of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists and director of Information and Research at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA)
