Ferula persica
Ferula persica
Ferula persica (Ferula persica Willd.) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Apiaceae family.
Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Order Apiales,
Apiaceae family,
Genus Ferula,
F. assa-foetida species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Ferula puberula Boiss. & Buhse
– Ferula szowitziana var. kandavanensis Bornm. & Gouba.
Etymology –
The term Ferula comes from ferula lash, wand, stick: for use as a light stick used by shepherds.
The specific Persian epithet comes from Persia, Persian, due to its geographical origin.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Ferula persica is an original plant present in an area that includes Iran and western Asia; it is more frequent in the Mediterranean region and in Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran.
Its habitat is that of dry slopes up to 2000 meters above sea level.
Description –
Ferula persica is a perennial herb that grows up to 1 m in height.
The species is hermaphroditic (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is a resinous species with a cylindrical, hollow and succulent stem.
The leaves are sheathed, pluripinnate and divided into linear laciniae.
The flowers are umbrella-shaped, large and usually yellow or even white.
The plant blooms from May to July.
Ferula persica is pollinated by insects.
The fruit is obovoid-compressed.
Cultivation –
This plant grows in most soils although it prefers deep fertile soil in a sunny location.
These plants have a long taproot and are intolerant to transplants so they should be planted in their final positions as soon as possible.
The plant can reproduce by seed which is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold greenhouse in autumn, or in the open field in April. The plants should be transplanted as soon as possible before the taproot is formed as they poorly tolerate the transplant phase.
It is useful to protect these plants in the first winter with vegetable mulches.
Propagation can also occur by division but the percentage of engraftment is quite low.
Customs and Traditions –
Ferula persica is used to make sagapenum.
Pliny, in his work Historia Naturalis 12,126, 19,167, 20,197 argues that sagapenum is similar to Ammoniacum and mentions the use of him.
According to Dioscorides (in De materia medica 3, 85, 95), sagapenum smells of silphium and galbanum and has expectorant, topical, anti-convulsive and abortive properties.
This plant has antirheumatic properties and is used in the treatment of rheumatism and back pain.
The medicinal nature of the ferule is due to chemicals such as sesquiterpene coumarins. These are found more in the roots than in the aerial parts. It also contains many volatile and non-volatile sulfur compounds.
The following are the medicinal uses of Ferula persica.
– a medicine for constipation is used. It will improve bowel movement;
– it is used for cases of aerophagia using the decoction of the leaves of the plant;
– the plant extract shows good sedative properties. Help people calm down when they are very excited.
– for people who have symptoms of hysteria, a decoction can be prepared;
– it is useful for the treatment of diabetes as the plant has the property of increasing the absorption of sugars and insulin sensitivity;
– useful for treating rheumatism as it has anti-inflammatory properties that help people with joint-related diseases get relief. Reduces swelling and thus soothes pain;
– in the treatment of back pain;
– anti-pigmentation;
– apoptotic, as the ferula persica will increase the tendency of the cells to die on their own;
– antibacterial and antiviral action due to the presence of sesquiterpene coumarins;
– reversal of resistance to some drugs;
– inversion of cytotoxicity, as the use of this plant reverses this effect by lowering the action of cytotoxic elements.
The effects of Ferula persica are due to the presence of many bioactive compounds, such as aurapten. Due to this, the extract exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and chemo-preventive properties of cancer. The extract can be used to reduce swelling on the tissues and relieve the patient.
Another bioactive compound, umbelliprenin, exhibits chemo-preventive and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the proliferation of cancer cells and helps the apoptosis of cancer cells. The anti-inflammatory nature of umbelliprenin helps in the healing process.
The plant shows anticancer properties, probably due to the presence of angalbanic acid which shows antiangiogenic and antitumor properties.
The active ingredients present in Ferula persica help people with seizures because they possess an anticonvulsant nature.
Furthermore this plant shows anti-haemolytic activity.
As for side effects, there are no known side effects of using Ferula persica. But overuse can cause vomiting and digestive problems. If so, consult your doctor immediately.
Preparation Method –
With Ferula persica extracts can be prepared that can be added to fruit juices and taken at various times of the day.
You can prepare decoctions using crushed parts of the plant. these are then filtered and drunk after cooling.
Finally, you can prepare poultices of the leaves to be applied on the joints twice a day to obtain good results.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.