Asafoetida a.k.a Devil’s Dung

Asafoetida is one of those magical substances that defies simple explanation. Derived from the resin of the Ferula plant’s root, this potent spice hails from the Middle East, where it’s harvested, dried, and shipped off to those daring enough to use it.

In the kitchen, asafoetida (or hing as it’s known in Indian cuisine) is a culinary secret weapon, adding a savory depth to dishes when cooked. But here’s the catch—it stinks. And not just a little. Raw or dried, it reeks of putrid onions with a whiff of sulfur, or as The House might say, “ramp-y with a vengeance.” Yet, once it hits the pan, that powerful stench mellows into a delightful, umami-rich aroma that’s beloved in South Asian cooking.

Asafoetida plant (Ferula assa-foetida): flowering stem, leaves, seeds and root. Coloured etching by J. Pass, c. 1806, after J. Ihle.

Its aggressive smell is likely the reason asafoetida has a long history of magical and spiritual use. Like rue, asafoetida has also been used as a protective amulet. In African-American hoodoo, it’s known as “Devil’s Dung,” a name that perfectly captures its funky scent. But the smell is exactly what makes it powerful. It’s used to repel evil, break jinxes, and offer protection against malevolent forces.

In Pennsylvania Dutch folklore, it goes by deiwelsdreck (literally, “devil’s dung”), and it was often mixed with other potent herbs like cinquefoil and wormwood to ward off spirits and unwanted visitors. Some even rolled it up in tiny bundles to wear around their necks as a shield against illness and unholy influences.

This tradition made its way to Appalachia and the Ozarks, where people wore “asfidity” or “acifidity” bags to keep the flu and other sicknesses at bay. And honestly, it probably worked—not just because of its intrinsic antiviral properties but because the smell alone kept others at a healthy distance.

In today’s world of social distancing and airborne germs, maybe it’s time to bring back this quirky folk remedy. After all, if the scent of “putrid onions with a hint of sulfur” doesn’t keep the germs away, it’ll definitely keep people out of your personal space.

Asfidity & Madstones: A Further Ramble Through Hillfolks’ Hoodoo by H. Byron Ballard

Photo of pouch containing asafoetida; Kutztown, PA; photo by The House of Good Fortune

An asafoetida-based product called duiwelsdrek-druppels that is marketed as a relief for flatulence and stress.