What is Hing and Why Has it Been Used For Generations For Fussy Babies?

Midnight, a fussy baby, two exhausted parents, overwhelmed, and at a loss of what to do next. This is a scenario so many parents, including us, can relate to. In fact, this scenario was the moment played a big part in even launching Grāmah Baby. My mother in law swooped in and suggested maybe we try rubbing Hing or Asafoetida around his naval to help calm him. If you grew up in a South Asian household, you probably know exactly what we're talking about. If you didn't, you're about to discover one of the best-kept secrets in generational baby care — and understand why we built it into our Tummy Roll-On.

What is Hing?

Hing or known as Asafoetida in the west is a resin derived from the root of the Ferula plant, a tall perennial herb native to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East. It has been used for thousands of years across South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures — in cooking, in medicine, and in everyday home remedies.

In Ayurvedic practice, it has long been prized for its powerful digestive properties. In Persian, it's called aza — meaning resin — and in English, it earned the rather dramatic nickname "Food of the Gods."

If you've ever smelled raw Hing, you'll know it has a very pungent, sulfurous aroma that can be surprising and perhaps off-putting at first. But once cooked — or blended into a carrier oil — that sharpness mellows into something warm and earthy. And it's precisely those warm, aromatic compounds that make it so effective for digestive discomfort.

Why is it so popular among South Asian Mothers and Grandmothers?

For generations, South Asian mothers and grandmothers have used this simple remedy for fussy and gassy babies: a small amount of Hing dissolved in warm water or oil, applied topically to the baby's belly, and gently massaged in a circular motion.

This practice has been passed down through countless households across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the diaspora worldwide — not written in books, but carried in hands. Grandmother to mother. Mother to daughter. Generation to generation.

The ritual varies slightly by region and family:

• In many North Indian households, Hing is mixed with mustard or sesame oil and applied directly to the navel area
• In South Indian traditions, coconut oil or sesame oil is often the carrier of choice
• Some families add a pinch of hing to warm water and apply it as a compress on the belly

But across all these variations, the intention is the same: to bring warmth, relief, and comfort to a baby who can't yet tell you what's wrong.

What's worth noting is that the act of massaging a baby's belly is itself deeply soothing — for the baby and for the parent. The remedy was never just about the ingredient. It was about the ritual of care.

Why It Works: The Science Behind the Tradition

Hing is a natural carminative — meaning it helps relieve gas and bloating by relaxing the smooth muscle of the intestinal wall, allowing trapped gas to pass more easily. This is the same reason it's used so widely in South Asian cooking: it's added to lentils and beans specifically to make them easier to digest.

When applied topically, its warming and aromatic compounds — particularly ferulic acid and umbelliferone — interact with the skin and underlying tissue to help ease abdominal tension and discomfort.

It's worth being honest here- rigorous clinical studies specifically on topical Hing use for infant colic are limited. But the traditional use of Hing across multiple cultures over thousands of years is itself a form of evidence. These remedies weren't passed down because they didn't work — they were passed down because they did.

Modern herbalism and integrative medicine are increasingly validating what South Asian grandmothers have always known. And the combination of Hing's natural properties with the proven benefits of baby massage — improved digestion, reduced crying, better sleep — makes this remedy as relevant today as it has ever been.

How to Use Hing Safely for Your Baby

Important: Hing should only ever be used topically for babies — never ingested at this age. Always dilute it properly in a carrier oil, and never apply it directly to your baby's skin undiluted.

Here's how to use it safely:

• Always use a carrier oil. Sesame, coconut, jojoba are all gentle and traditional choices.
• Apply to the belly only. Focus on the navel area and lower abdomen. Avoid broken or irritated skin. If you see irritation, stop right away. 
• Massage in gentle circular motions. Clockwise is traditionally recommended, as it follows the natural direction of digestion.
• Use a properly formulated product. If you're not making your own blend, look for a product with clean ingredients, no synthetic fragrance, and that has been dermatologist-tested.

Our Tummy Roll-On was formulated with exactly this tradition in mind — a blend of Asafoetida (Hing), Dill, and Ginger in a gentle carrier oil, designed to make this ancient ritual easy, mess-free, and safe, even for sensitive newborn skin. It's dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, and made with only the ingredients that belong there.

Our grandmothers and great grandmothers relied on what they knew what was effective. She learned it from her mother, who learned it from hers. That knowledge traveled across oceans and generations to reach you — in the hands of a woman who just wanted to help you soothe your baby at 2am.

We hope this remedy becomes part of your village too.

*This article is for educational and cultural purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have concerns, we always recommend speaking to your pediatrician for your specific child.