ASAFOETIDA / Ferula assa-foetida

To prevent colds, tie a small bag of it round the neck. Sometimes the asafoetida would be soaked in camphor first (Stout). Tied round a baby’s neck, it will help it to cut teeth without pain. “Wear asafoetida to keep the itch away” (Stout) – or to keep diphtheria away – or cure whooping cough – or, in Maryland, for hysteria (Whitney & Bullock). German Hexenbänner used to advise people who thought they were bewitched to burn asafoetida all night in every room of the house, with doors and windows shut. The witch would be bound to visit the house within three days (J Simpson. 1996)