Eating Hing (Asafoetida) during pregnancy may help digestion but may cause miscarriage.
Hing or Devil’s dung is taken from the roots of an herb called Ferula. It is a very common spice in Indian pantries, but after the bubble buster above you must be wondering if it is safe to eat Hing during pregnancy. Can Hing lead to miscarriage?
No wonder pregnant women must be super careful about their food choices. Some foods are beneficial for your unborn child, and some can lead to abortion.
In simpler words, asafoetida has abortifacient properties. So, it’s important to understand if eating asafoetida during pregnancy is safe or unsafe.
After extensive research, we have gathered reliable information on the consumption of Hing during pregnancy.
How safe is it to eat Asafoetida During Pregnancy?
In short, Hing is NOT SAFE to consume during pregnancy. With its abortifacient properties, Hing can prevent the embryo from implanting onto the uterine wall and cause it to die. Rather this property handles stimulates menstruation. Thus, consuming Hing in high quantities can lead to miscarriage.
Moreover, some pregnant women are either allergic to it or are repulsed by its pungent and aromatic scent. Adding an extra amount of Hing can cause vomiting. Thus, it’s best to avoid eating Hing (asafoetida) during pregnancy altogether.
In fact, as Hing is unsafe for the expecting mom and fetus, so it is on the list of spices to avoid during pregnancy.
Is Asafoetida Harmful During Pregnancy?
In general, Hing during pregnancy is safe to consume if added in small amounts to foods. As long as you aren’t allergic to it, you may not experience any side effects from eating Hing during pregnancy.
On the brighter side, Hing (asafoetida) during pregnancy has several health benefits. It aids in relieving pregnancy stomach discomforts such as acidity, constipation, gas, and more.
If you are unsure whether Hing is harmful during pregnancy, we recommend adding it in moderate amounts to foods. Moreover, it’s best to check your gynecologists in case you have any pregnancy complications.
What Are the Benefits of Asafoetida During Pregnancy?
Hing is a medicinal herb. It provides relief from breathing issues, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or controls high blood cholesterol levels. Women take Hing to stimulate their uterus to regulate their menstrual cycle. It is helpful in curing sexually transmitted diseases or genital infections. Moreover, some people consider it beneficial in treating depression as it’s a strong nerve stimulant.
With that said, you may think is it good to eat asafetida during pregnancy? Yes, Hing is beneficial for pregnant women. Expecting mothers often consume Hing to treat stomach ailments like painful gas, upset stomach, or acidity. Moreover, as Hing contains blood-thinning chemicals called coumarins, some pregnant women use it to treat headaches.
How can you eat Asafoetida while you are Pregnant?
It’s recommended to add no more than a pinch of Hing (asafoetida) to foods. It is effective enough to treat your stomach ailments. Above all, an overdose of Hing during pregnancy can have serious health complications, so strictly keep it to one pinch per day.
What are the side effects of Asafoetida when consumed during Pregnancy?
There are a few side effects pregnant women may experience:
1. Pregnant women who dislike by the scent of Hing may experience nausea and vomiting.
2. Hing has abortifacient properties. It can prevent the embryo from implantation, leading to miscarriage.
3. Hing is not good for breastfeeding mothers. It can mix with breast milk and may affect newborns. It contains chemicals that may increase the risk of certain disorders in children.
4. Hing is big no for expecting mothers with blood pressure as it can interfere with blood pressure-controlling drugs.
5. Consuming Hing in excess leads to gas, diarrhea, burping, swollen lips, or even throat infections.
It is good to entirely avoid consuming Hing (asafoetida) during your first trimester of pregnancy.
And if you want to take it during the second and third trimesters for gastric issues, keep the quantity to one pinch a day (that too added to cooked meals). Do not consume raw Hing, particularly if you dislike the smell.
Final Verdict
Hing (Asafoetida) during pregnancy can be more harmful than good. It can lead to miscarriage or may interfere with the healthy growth of the fetus. But, keeping the dose as small as a pinch in a day can help you prevent its side effects altogether.
