Ferulae Resina
Aliases：Xun Qu、Wei Qu Ji、Ha Xi Ni、Xing Yu、A Yu
Awei (Asafoetida), a Chinese medicinal, is the resin of Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen or Ferula fukanensis K. M. Shen, plants of the Apiaceae family (genus Ferula).
Efficacy & Actions
Resolve food stagnation, transform abdominal masses (zhengjia), dissipate abdominal masses (pikuai), and eliminate parasites.
Indications
Meat stagnation, abdominal masses (zhengjia and pikuai), abdominal pain due to intestinal parasites, malaria, dysentery, etc.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiparasitic: Exhibits killing effects on roundworms, hookworms, etc. Antispasmodic: Relaxes intestinal smooth muscle and relieves abdominal pain. Anticoagulant: Inhibits platelet aggregation and prolongs clotting time. Antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory: Scavenges free radicals and reduces inflammatory responses. Antitumor: Inhibits certain tumor cells. Hypolipidemic: Lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Antibacterial: Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: Contain sec‑butyl propenyl disulfide (the main odorous component), as well as pinene, limonene, and other terpenes. Resins: Ferulic acid, ferulic acid esters, ferulic alcohol (ferulol), etc. Gum (colloidal matter): Ferula gum (polysaccharides). Others: Coumarins (e.g., umbelliferone), sterols, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: Used in pills or powders, 0.5–1.5 g per dose. Not to be used in decoction (due to its strong odor and the volatility of its essential oils). External use: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied as a paste, or incorporated into a plaster for topical application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated populations: Contraindicated in pregnant women; use with caution in those with spleen‑stomach deficiency. Precautions for use: Due to its strong and offensive odor, it should not be taken internally in large doses to avoid nausea and vomiting. Adverse reactions: Safe at conventional doses. Overdose may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and vomiting.
Selected Formulas
For abdominal masses and blood stasis accumulations (zhengjia) Ferula is often combined with Baijiezi (Mustard seed) and Sanleng (Sparganium rhizome) for internal use. It may also be combined with Xionghuang (Realgar), Rougui (Cinnamon), and Ruxiang (Frankincense) to make a hard plaster for external application – as in Awei Huaji Gao (Ferula Mass‑Dissolving Plaster) from He Rizhong Shou Ji. For meat stagnation (dyspepsia from meat consumption) Ferula is often combined with Shanzha (Hawthorn), Huanglian (Coptis), and Lianqiao (Forsythia) – as in Awei Wan (Ferula Pill) from Zhengzhi Zhunsheng (Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment).
Daily Consumption
Asafoetida has a strong and pungent odor and is generally not used in medicinal dietary therapy. For external use, it can be mixed with flour and vinegar to form a paste, then applied to abdominal masses (e.g., Awei Huapi Gao – Asafoetida Plaster for Masses).
Medicinal Parts
resin
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, protected from moisture and volatilization. Asafoetida contains volatile oils; its odor gradually dissipates with prolonged storage, so it should be kept tightly sealed.