Description : Asafoetida is the oleogum resin exudate obtained from the roots and stems of the monocarpic ferula plants belonging to the family umbelliferae. It has a large fleshy root covered with bristly fibres. Native to Afghanistan, it is also grown in Iran and Turkey in stony arid soil, generally at an altitude of 7000 feet. After a number of years, the plant grows a large flowering stem, with a circular mass of leaves. The stem has numerous schizogenous ducts in the cortex of the stem full of resinous gum. On incision, the asafoetida resin oozes out.