Asafoetida

Asafoetida was familiar in the early Mediterranean, having come by land across Iran. It was brought to Europe by an expedition of Alexander the Great, who, after returning from a trip to north eastern ancient Persia, thought they had found a plant almost identical to the famed silphium of Cyrene in North Africa—though less tasty.

People use asafoetida for conditions such as breathing or throat problems, digestion problems, or by women to restart their menstrual periods after menstruation has stopped for some reason. Asafoetida is also sometimes applied directly to the skin for corns and calluses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

As a seasoning, asafoetida is known for its strong, pungent odor, which is due to its high concentration of sulfur compounds. In fact, due to its unpleasant smell, it’s sometimes referred to as stinking gum. However, when cooked, its flavor and smell become much more palatable and are often described as being similar to those of leeks, garlic, and even meat.