Hingu for Ear Disorders: Benefits, How to Use & Dosage

Asafoetida for Ear Disorders: Does It Work?

Does Asafoetida (Hingu) help with ear disorders? Ayurveda keeps one simple use for it here: earache. If there is pain in the ear, a little asafoetida wrapped in a piece of cotton may be placed in the ear, and its odor is said to relieve the pain.

That is a traditional home remedy, not a treatment for infection or hearing loss. The asafoetida stays wrapped in cotton at the opening of the ear; it is not a powder or drop poured into the canal.

The reasoning fits Ayurveda's view of earache. Ear pain is linked with aggravated Vata, the dosha (functional energy) of movement, dryness and cold. Asafoetida is hot, sharp and pungent, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as calming Kapha and Vata (Kapha-Vata Shamaka) and as relieving colicky pain (Shula hara).

Before trying it, rule out an ear infection, a perforated eardrum or a wax blockage. Those need a doctor first.

How Asafoetida Helps with Ear Disorders

Our sources explain the asafoetida ear remedy in a single phrase: its odor relieves the pain. There is no modern research on this use in our sources, so what follows is the classical reasoning behind it.

Warmth Against Vata

Earache is associated with aggravated Vata. When the ear passage becomes dry and crusty from excess Vata, it can ache and the eardrum can feel tight. Asafoetida has a pungent taste (Katu Rasa), a hot potency (Ushna Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka), all of which counter Vata's cold.

A Penetrating Aroma

Asafoetida is light, oily and sharp in quality (Laghu, Snigdha, Tikshna Guna). Sharpness means a substance acts quickly and penetrates, and the resin carries a strong volatile oil (4 to 20 percent, mainly disulphides and terpenes). That powerful aroma is what the remedy relies on.

Pain and Spasm

Asafoetida is described as a stimulant that also relieves spasms, and as a spice that relieves pain. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu counts it among the herbs that relieve colicky pain and that set Vata moving in its proper direction (Vatanulomana).

How to Use Asafoetida for Ear Disorders

For earache, the traditional form is the simplest one: a little asafoetida wrapped in a piece of cotton and placed in the ear, where its odor is said to relieve the pain.

Step by Step

Take a small pinch of asafoetida. Our sources give no exact amount beyond "a little".
Wrap it securely in a small piece of cotton so no loose powder can fall into the ear canal.
Place the wrapped cotton at the opening of the painful ear, not deep inside.
Remove it once the pain eases. No set duration is given in our sources.

Check First

Do not use it until you have ruled out infection of the ear canal, a perforated eardrum or excess wax. If pulling down on the lobe of the painful ear hurts, that suggests an outer ear infection, and you should see a doctor.

Safety

Asafoetida is sharp and heating. Most commercial hing is blended with wheat or rice flour, so choose a gluten-free product if you have celiac disease. Pregnancy is a listed contraindication for its medicinal use, and the ear remedy is not a substitute for medical care if pain persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is asafoetida used for earache?

A little asafoetida is wrapped in a piece of cotton and placed in the ear. Our sources say its odor relieves the pain. It is not dropped or poured into the ear canal.

Does asafoetida treat ear infections?

Our sources describe it only for ear pain. If pulling on the earlobe hurts, or there is discharge or fever, see a doctor rather than relying on a home remedy.

Who should avoid this remedy?

Pregnancy and high Pitta are listed contraindications for asafoetida's medicinal use. Anyone with a possible perforated eardrum should not put anything in the ear.

Asafoetida vs garlic for earache?

Asafoetida works through its aroma from a cotton wrap at the ear. Garlic is used as an oil, a few drops in the ear, which also brings the oiliness Ayurveda favours for dry Vata ears. Neem oil, diluted in sesame oil, is used for outer ear infections.

Recommended: Start Asafoetida for Ear Disorders

If you want to try Asafoetida for earache today, here is the simplest starting point.

Kitchen version: wrap a small pinch of asafoetida securely in a piece of cotton and place it at the opening of the aching ear. Its strong odor is the traditional source of relief, and the cotton keeps loose powder out of the ear canal.

Choose pure or gluten-free hing if you can, since most commercial hing is blended with flour. If the ear feels dry and tight, warm oil such as garlic oil is the other classic first aid for Vata-type ear pain.

Find Asafoetida on Amazon ↗ Cotton Balls ↗

Never put anything in the ear if there is discharge, bleeding, fever or a possible perforated eardrum; see a doctor first.

Safety & Precautions

As a cooking spice, hingu is used safely by millions of people every day. At therapeutic doses its heat is the main thing to respect.

Who should avoid it

Pregnancy. Listed as a contraindication; do not use it as a medicine while pregnant.
High Pitta. Hingu aggravates Pitta, so people who run hot, or who have hyperacidity, gastric or duodenal ulcers, or severe gastritis, should skip it.
Inflammatory conditions of the liver and brain. Listed contraindications.
High fever or rashes. Its heat can worsen an already hot picture.

Drug interactions

No drug and herb interactions are known. If you take prescription medicines, still tell your doctor before using therapeutic doses.

Dose and overuse

Keep to the low range of 100 mg to 1 g per day. Signs that you are using too much are the signs of excess Pitta: burning in the stomach, sour belching, or feeling overheated. Cut back or stop if they appear.

A label check

Most commercial hing is blended with wheat or rice flour as a flow agent. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, choose a product that states it is gluten free.

Other Herbs for Ear Disorders

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Ashwagandha Withania somnifera dunal

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Bhringaraj Eclipta alba Hassk.

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Clearing Nut Tree Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC.

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Kapasa Gossypium herbaceum Linn.

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Garlic Allium sativum Linn

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Hadjod Vitis quadrangularis Wall. (Syn. Cissus quadrangularis Linn.)

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Jasmine Jasminium grandiflorum/officinale

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Kalmegh Andrographis paniculata

See all herbs for ear disorders on the Ear Disorders page.

▶ Classical Text References (7 sources)

being pungent and salty in taste are not good to semen, ojas (essence of the tissues ), hairs and eye (vision) 151 ह गु वातकफानाह शूल नं प त कोपनम ्॥१५२॥ कटुपाकरसं यं द पनं पाचनं लघु । Hingu (asa foetida) mitigates vata, kapha, cues distension of the abdomen and colic, aggravates pitta, pungent in taste and at the end of digestion, enhances taste, hunger, digestion and is easily digestible.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Katu Gana – group of pungents:कटुको ह गु म रचकृ मिजत प चकोलकम ् कुठे रा या ह रतकाः प तं मू म करम ् Hingu- Asa foetida Maricha – Black pepper, Krimijit – Vidanga, Panchakola – Chitraka, Pippalmoola, Pippali, Chitraka and ginger, leafy vegetables such as Kutheraka and others (mentioned in verse 103 of chapter 6 earlier), Pitta (bile of animals), Mutra (urines), Arushkara etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their

21-24 योषकटवीवरा श ु वड गा त वषाि थराः ह गुस ौवचलाजाजीयवानीधा य च काः नशी ब ृह यौ हपुषा पाठामूलं च के बुकात ् एषां चूण मधु घ ृतं तैलं च सदशांशकम ् स तु भः षोडशगुणैयु तं पीतं नहि त तत ् अ त थौ या दकान ् सवा ोगान यां च त वधान ् ोगकामलाि व वासकासगल हान ् बु मेधा म ृ तकरं स न या ने च द पनम ् Powder of Vyosha- (Trikatu – pepper, long pepper and ginger), Katvi, Vara (Triphala), Shigru (drum stick), Vidanga (False black pepper – Embelia ribes), Ativisha, Sthira (Desmodium gangeticum), Hingu – (A
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dvividha Upakramaneeya

The wound should be fumigated with the smoke of Guggulu, Aguru, Siddhartha, Hingu (Asa foetida), Sarjarasa, Patu (Salt), Sadgrantha(Acorus calamus) or leaves of Nimba (neem), mixed with ghee;
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastrakarma Vidhi

For preparing Teekshna Kshara – alkali of strong potency the admixture should be similar to that of previous – alkali of medium potency and also the paste of Langalika, Danti, Chitraka, Ativisha, Vacha, Svarjika, Kanakaksiri, Hingu, sprouts of Putika, Talapatri and Bida salt and alkali prepared as usual and used after a lapse of seven days.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their; Dvividha Upakramaneeya; Shastrakarma Vidhi; Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi

[12] Ingredients: oil cake (pinyaka), sauvarchala (a type of salt), hingu (Ferula asafoetida (L)), mustard (Brassica nigra (L)), trikatu officinale (Roscoe), maricha- Piper nigrum (Linn), pippali- Piper Longum (Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Ingredients: 1 part-hingu (Ferula asafoetida (L)) 2 parts- vacha (Acorus calamus Linn) 4 parts- chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn) 8 parts-kushtha (Saussurea lappa) 16 parts-swarjikshara 32 parts- vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

, hingu- asafoetida Linn, pedunculata Roxb.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

), hingu (Ferula narthex Boiss.
— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)

If the patient suffers from edema and pain in the peri-anal region, and if there is suppression of the digestive power, then he should be treated with the combination of powder of trikatu [(Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum)and maricha (Piper nigrum)], pippalimool (Piper longum), patha (Cissampelos parrira), hingu (Ferula narthex), chitraka (Plumbago Zylanica), sauvarchala (one kind of salt), pushkarmool(Inula racemosa), jeera (Cuminum cyminum), Pulp af bilva (Aegle marmelos),
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Chitraka, pippalimoola, two kshara (yavakshara and sarjikshara), salt, trikatu, hingu, ajamoda and chavya are mixed together and trichurated with either matulunga svarasa or dadima svarasa and tablets are prepared.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Kalinga, hingu, ativisha, vacha, sauvarchala and haritaki with warm water is useful in vomiting, arshogranthi (analpolyp with pellet stool) and pain in abdomen.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Marichadyam choornam contains one kudava (192 gm) of maricha, kunchika, ambashtha (patha), vrikshamlah, ten pala (480 gm) of amlavetas, half pala (24 gm) each of sauvarchala, bidha, pakya, yavakshara, saindhava, sathi, pushkaramoola, hingu and hingushivatika (vamsapatri).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Hingvashtaka Churna: Hingu (asafoetida — Ferula assa-foetida), Saindhava (rock salt), Shunthi (dry ginger — Zingiber officinale), Krishna Jiraka (black cumin — Nigella sativa), Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum), Yamani (Trachyspermum ammi), and Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) — these eight ingredients constitute Hingvashtaka.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

— Hingu (asafoetida) six Shana, and the five salts (Pancha Lavana) — two Aru salts included.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)

After purification, form it into a disc (Chakra-like shape), coat it with Hingu (Asafoetida — Ferula foetida).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

Alternatively, a paste of garlic (Lashuna, Allium sativum), or Hingu (asafoetida, Ferula assa-foetida) with neem may be used.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Asafoetida's strong odor also repels insects.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Hingvashtaka Churna: Hingu (asafoetida — Ferula assa-foetida), Saindhava (rock salt), Shunthi (dry ginger — Zingiber officinale), Krishna Jiraka (black cumin — Nigella sativa), Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum), Yamani (Trachyspermum ammi), and Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) — these eight ingredients constitute Hingvashtaka.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

— Hingu (asafoetida) six Shana, and the five salts (Pancha Lavana) — two Aru salts included.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)

After purification, form it into a disc (Chakra-like shape), coat it with Hingu (Asafoetida — Ferula foetida).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

One Shana (3g) of potent medicine, a Yava-measure of Hingu, and one Masha of Saindhava for Nasya.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 8: Nasya Vidhi (Nasal Therapy)

Masha, Atmagumara, Bala, Arubu, Karohi, and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) decoction with Hingu and Saindhava.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 8: Nasya Vidhi (Nasal Therapy)

Also with saindhava, hingu (asafoetida), triphala, madhuka, paundarika (white lotus), anjana (antimony), tuttha (copper sulfate), and tamra (copper).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)

A paste (utsadana) containing Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Hingu (asafoetida) is beneficial in Skanda seizure.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 29: Skandapasmarapratishedha

Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Vacha, Hingu (asafoetida), Kushtha, Girikadambaka, Ela (cardamom), and Harenuka should always be used for fumigation.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha

White mustard (Siddharthaka), Vacha, Hingu (asafoetida), Kushtha, along with Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) and Ajamoda (celery seeds) are beneficial for fumigating the child.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha

For a weak patient with a distended, painful abdomen, an application should be made with Daru (Devadaru), Haimavati, Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Shatahva (dill), Hingu (asafoetida), and Saindhava (rock salt).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 29: Skandapasmarapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha