a wei

阿魏·Resina Ferulae

Chinese asafoetida

About a wei

A Wei (阿魏) is asafoetida, the resin of a ferula, recorded as Resina Ferulae. It is acrid and bitter in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Spleen and Stomach channels.

Names

Pinyina wei
Chinese阿魏
Latin NameResina Ferulae
English NameChinese asafoetida
Japanesegaiyi
Koreanaeyeop

Classification

Channels
Stomach, Spleen
Flavour
Acrid, Bitter
Temperature
Warm

Actions and indications

Regulates Qi, invigorates Blood and reduces food stagnation

  • Swelling and palpable lumps in the abdomen from Blood stasis
  • Abdominal distension with constipation
  • Indigestion after overeating meat
  • Pain from Cold in the Heart region and abdomen
  • Distending pain of the chest and abdomen

Clears Heat

  • Fever
  • Dysentery and enteritis
  • Malaria

Kills parasites

  • Intestinal parasites, including roundworm

Resolves and expels Cold Phlegm

  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Croup and whooping cough (pertussis)

Regulates the uterus

  • Amenorrhea
  • Spasmodic menstrual pain

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 0.5-1.5g; Powder/pills: 1-1.5g; Tincture: 0.25-1ml0.5-1.5 g—0.25-1 ml——

Cautions