Introduction
Imagine a single pinch of spice that adds magic to food, heals the gut, and earns lakhs per hectare — that’s Hing, also known as Asafoetida.
It’s more than a spice; it’s a medicinal powerhouse, a holy element, and now, a revolutionary crop for Indian mountain farmers.
This blog is a complete guide for anyone curious about:
What hing is
How it’s used
How to grow hing
How much profit it gives
And how it can change the future of mountain farming
Let’s dive into this earthy story of scent, soil, and success
A Brief History of Hing
Botanical name: Ferula Asafoetida
Native regions: Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan
For centuries, India has been one of the largest consumers of hing but ironically did not produce any.
India imported ₹600–800 crore worth of hing annually until 2020.
That changed when the CSIR–IHBT (Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology) in Palampur successfully grew hing in the cold desert region of Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
This marked the birth of India-grown hing — a turning point in Indian agriculture.
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Where Is Hing Used? And How?
Hing is not limited to the kitchen. It’s a multi-purpose marvel used in various industries. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Culinary Use (Kitchen)
Hing is a vital ingredient in Indian kitchens for tempering (tadka).
It adds a strong, savory aroma and flavor to dals, curries, kadhi, and pickles.
Especially useful in satvik food (no onion or garlic).
✅ How to use:
Add a pinch of hing to hot oil or ghee before sautéing other spices.
2. Ayurvedic & Home Remedies
In Ayurveda, hing is known for balancing vata dosha and aiding digestion.
✅ Uses:
Mixed with warm water for indigestion, bloating, gas
Hing paste applied on the stomach for infants’ colic
Part of famous Ayurvedic blend like Hingwashtak churna
3. Religious & Spiritual Uses
Hing is considered pure and used in satvik cooking and religious offerings.
✅ Used during:
Pooja meals
Temple langars
Vrat (fasting) food preparation
4. Cosmetics & Skin Care
Hing contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
✅ Used in:
Anti-aging creams
Acne-fighting face packs
Ayurvedic cosmetics
5. Pharmaceutical Industry
Modern medicine is exploring hing for its bioactive compounds that have antioxidant, antiviral, and blood pressure-controlling properties.
✅ Used in:
Capsules and tonics for digestion
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) treatment
Bronchitis and asthma remedies
6. Food Industry & Natural Preservative
Hing is used in processed foods, sauces, snacks, and vegan products.
Acts as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer.
✅ Replaces onion-garlic in vegan/gluten-free foods.
How to Grow Hing: Step-by-Step Farming Guide
Growing hing is ideal for cold, dry mountainous regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
✅ Climate Required
Cold desert climate
Temperature: 5°C to 20°C
Altitude: 1,500 to 3,000 meters
✅ Soil Requirements
Well-drained sandy loam soil
pH: 6.5 to 8.0
No waterlogging allowed
✅ Seed Germination & Nursery
Hing seeds are naturally dormant; take 30–40 days to germinate.
Sown in October–November in controlled nursery conditions.
✅ Transplanting & Field Plantation
1–1.5 months after germination, seedlings are moved to the field.
Spacing: 60–90 cm apart
Plant density: 10,000–12,000 plants per hectare
✅ Irrigation & Care
Requires very minimal water — only during initial growth and dry spells.
No need for heavy fertilizers or pesticides.
✅ Resin Harvesting (Hing Extraction)
Hing plants mature after 4–5 years.
A cut is made in the root collar, and resin oozes out.
This gum-like resin is dried and converted to powder form.
✅ Yield: 20–40 kg per hectare
Hing Farming Profit Potential
Hing is considered a long-term high-value crop.
Factor Value
Cost of Cultivation ₹1.5 – ₹3 lakh per hectare
Yield 20–40 kg/ha
Market Price ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 per kg
Revenue ₹10 lakh – ₹40 lakh per hectare
Net Profit ₹8 – ₹35 lakh per hectare
✅ Important: Although it takes 4–5 years to mature, the returns are massive with very low water and maintenance needs.
Health Benefits of Hing
Hing is more than a spice — it’s a natural remedy used for ages.
✅ Top Benefits:
1. Improves digestion
2. Reduces bloating & flatulence
3. Relieves menstrual cramps
4. Acts as a natural blood thinner
5. Helps in respiratory conditions
6. Controls blood pressure
7. Enhances skin tone (topical)
8. Boosts metabolism and immunity
⚠️ Side Effects of Hing
Like any strong bioactive compound, hing must be used in moderation.
❌ Possible Side Effects:
Pregnant women: May cause uterine contractions
Children: Not advised without doctor’s supervision
High dose: May cause nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea
Allergy risk: Skin rash or itching in sensitive people
People on blood thinners: Must consult doctor
✅ Safe dosage: Just a pinch a day in cooking is enough!
Summary Table
Aspect Details
Plant Name Ferula Asafoetida
Climate Cold Desert, Dry, 5°C–20°C
Soil Sandy Loam, pH 6.5–8
Water Minimal
Harvest Time 4–5 years
Use Culinary, Ayurveda, Cosmetics, Pharma
Profit ₹10–₹40 lakh/hectare
Final Thoughts: Hing – The Future of Mountain Farming
Hing is a rare combination of health, heritage, and high profit.
What was once a 100% imported spice is now being grown in Indian soil, bringing hope to thousands of mountain and hill farmers.
It requires:
Little water
No synthetic inputs
High patience
And gives massive returns
If you live in a cold, dry region, and dream of farming a premium organic crop — Hing might be your best bet.
🌍 Where and How Hing is Used? (Where and How Hing is Used)
Hing i.e. asafoetida is not just a kitchen spice – it is a multipurpose medicinal treasure which is used in cooking, Ayurveda, medicine, worship, and cosmetics. Let us know where the real value of Hing is hidden and how it is used:
🏠 1. Kitchen (Kitchen Use)
The most common use of Hing is in seasoning while cooking food. Its flavour is strong and unique, which gives a great aroma and digestive power to vegetables, lentils, curry and chutney.
🔸 How to use:
Just 1 pinch of Hing is added to ghee or oil as seasoning and then added to vegetables or dal.
Hing can also be added to chutney or kadhi after grinding in water.
📝 Note: Hing is considered a part of satvik food, so it is also used in fasting and bhog food.
🧘♂️ 2. Ayurvedic Use (Traditional Medicine & Ayurveda)
Hing is being used in Ayurveda since ancient times, especially for digestion and Vata-dosha.
🔸 How to use:
Hing is mixed with water or pure ghee and used to treat gas, acidity, bloating, and cramps.
Hing also comes in powdered or paste form – which is massaged on the navel (for infants).
Hingashtak Churna is a famous Ayurveda powder, in which hing is the main element.
🧴 3. Cosmetic & Skin Care Industry
Hing has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it is also used in skin tightening, acne control and anti-ageing creams.
🔸 How to use:
Hing is used in oil or cream form
It is mixed in small amounts in face packs or herbal face wash
🛐 4. Pooja-Path and religious food
Hing is considered a satvik and holy spice, hence its use is common in bhog, langar, prasad, and fast food.
🔸 How to use:
A pinch of hing is added to dal-rice or prasad during pooja.
People of Vaishnav and Jain community use hing to get flavour without onion and garlic.
🧪 5. Modern Pharmaceutical Use (in medicines)
Hing contains bioactive compounds which provide antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, anti-flatulent and other health effects.
🔸 How is it used:
Hing extract is being made into capsules or syrups
It is used in pharmaceutical form for asthma, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and digestion problems
🧂 6. Food Preservation and Processed Food Industry
Hing is also used as a natural preservative. Its flavouring and microbial fighting properties make it valuable in sauces, pickles, snacks, namkeen, and frozen food.
🔸 How to Use:
It is available in chutney, pickles, instant mix food packets in powder or extract form
It is used as onion-garlic alternative in Vegan and gluten-free food
✅ Summary Table: Use and Form of Hing
Field Form of Use How It’s Used
Kitchen Powder/Paste Tadka in food
Ayurveda Churna/Oil For digestion & pain
Cosmetics Cream/Oil For skin tightening
Pharma Extract/Capsule For gas, IBS, cold
Religious Powder Satvik cooking
Food Industry Extract/Paste Flavouring & preservation
Tips
Hing should be kept in a glass jar or air-tight box, because its flavour can be absorbed in other spices.