Ferula narthex grows mainly in Iran and Afghanistan. In India it is grown in Kashmir. It is a perennial herb that reaches up to 3.5 m tall. It has fine leaves and yellow flowers. The roots are thick and fleshy and secrete a resinous juice, just like plant stem with a strong, unpleasant odor. In March and April, just prior to bloom, an incision is made on the stem, close to the root. This results a milky liquid that is collected and dried, forming a resinous mass. Gum resin is greyish-white when fresh and turns yellow as the time passes and then remains to reddish and brownish color shade. It has a very strong, disagreeable odor, taste is very unpleasant.
Chemical composition – The resinous compound composed of ferulic acid, umbelliferone, asaresinotanol, farnesiferols A, B, and C, etc. About 25% of the gum made from glucose, galactose, arabinose l, rhamnose and glucuronic acid and essential oil composed of disulfides as the his major component, especially 2-butyl propenyl disulfide (E and Z isomers) with monoterpenes (β and α-pinene, etc) free ferulic acid, valeric acid, and vanillin (LAF). The disagreeable odor of oil is due to disulfide content.
Properties – Antitumor, digestive, expectorant, appetizer, carminative, aphrodisiac, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiseptic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antihepatotoxic, laxative, anthelmintic, immunostimulatory, antihypertensive, vasodilator, anti-diabetic, emmenagog, nervine stimulant.
Recommendations – Abdominal problems, worms, erectile dysfunction, anorexia, indigestion, abdominal pain, constipation, asthma, chronic cough, menstrual disorders, hypertension, gastric infections.
This plant is incorporated in natural remedy GASCURE Syrup.