Hingu

Hingu also known as devil’s dung is found through out India. The herb is useful in treating many diseases and can be perceived quickly by nose because of it’s penetrating quality and hence called Hingu. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb in conditions like Cough (Kasa) Respiratory disorders (Swasa) Insanity (Unmada) etc as the herb alleviates Vata Kapha doshas. The main causative factor for Kasa and Swasa are vitiation of these two doshas. Modern researches shows that the herb can be used as an antimicrobial , carminative and analgesic agent as it contains Phytoconstituents like asaresinotanol, pinene etc . 

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Ferula foetida       

Family :  Apiaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Exudate

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Swasahara varga (alleviates Respiratory disorder)

Susruta Samhita – Pippalyadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Carminative 
• Antimicrobial 
• Contraceptive 
• Anthelmintic 

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Pacana (Appetizer )
• Kasahara (Alleviate cough )
• Sulahara (Alleviate swelling )
• Agnivardaka (Carminative )

Therapeutic indications

• Ear ache (Karnasula)- Oil prepared from Hingu is useful in alleviating Earache.
• Alcoholism (Madatyaya)- Salt is mixed with Hingu and pepper and is taken to reduce alcoholism.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 500 m g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Ayaskriti 
• Hingvadi gutika
• Hingvadi taila

Morphology :

A perennial herb with fusiform roots. Leaves are pubescent. Inflorescence is terminal compound umbel. Fruits are reddish brown.

Vernacular names of Hingu

English – devil’s dung

Hindi- hing

Malayalam – kayam

Sanskrit -hingu

Synonyms

• Jathuka
• Janthughna
• Ugraganda

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa- Tikta (bitter) Katu (Acrid ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid ) 

Virya- Ushna (hot)

हिङ्गुष्णं पाचनं रुच्यं तीक्ष्णं वातबलासनुत् ।

शूलगुल्मोदरानाहकृमिघ्न पित्तवृर्द्धनम् ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 101)

  Hingu alleviate Vata Kapha doshas because of it’s properties like hot potency and acrid taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr.Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Hingu in treating diseases caused by the vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas. Ayurvedatarian are currently conducting more researches on the herb to fully exploit it’s medicinal values and to prepare new combinations for the alleviation of commonly found diseases.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Hingu ashtaka churna  ?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Hingu ashtaka churna can be used to increase appetite and also in Abdominal tumors.

2. What is the Dosage of Hinguvadi gulika ?

          Hinguvadi gulika can be taken internally at a dose of 1-2 tablets for an adult.