Wiseman’s Chinese Medical Database

ē wèi / 阿魏 / 阿魏 / asafetida;

Latin pharmacognostic name: Ferulae Resina

Alternate English names: asafoetida

Alternate Chinese names: 阿魏 à wèi

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Food-dispersing agents

Properties: Bitter and acrid; warm; nontoxic*.

Channel entry: liver, spleen, and stomach channels.

Indications:

Disperses accumulation and kills worms.

concretions and conglomerations and other glomus lumps; food accumulations due to worms or to excessive consumption of meat; cold abdominal pain; malarial disease; dysentery.

Dosage & Method:

Topical: Use in pastes. Oral: Use in decoctions, pills or powders (0.9–1.5g).

Warning:

Contraindicated in spleen vacuity and pregnancy.

Product Description:

This product comes in lumps of different shapes and sizes and is comprised of fine globular granules. It is dark yellowish brown on the outside, and when stored for a long time, it takes on a reddish hue. Lumps of fresh resin when broken apart, present a cross section that is cream or light brown, sometimes mingled with red. This product is light in weight and has a powerful fetid odor, and a bitter acrid taste. It is ground before use.

Quality:

The best quality has a strong unpleasant pungent smell similar to that of garlic.

Product Area:

Ferula assafoetida: Central Russia, Middle East. Ferula capsica: Xīnjiāng. Ferula conocaula: Xīnjiāng.

Etymology:

This item is traditionally said to be called ē wèi 阿魏 because it is something that is shunned by foreigners, 阿 meaning foreigner and 魏 being taken to mean 畏, shun or fear.