Medical plant of Ferula assa-foetida and its cultivating, main characteristics and economical importance in South khorasan province - east of Iran

Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran and Afghanistan. This plant is one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that grows up to 2 m high. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or Anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. It has been reported in Iranian folk medicine to be antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, laxative, sedative, nerving, analgesic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and antiseptic. The genus of ferula of the family Umbelifera has been mentioned in many medicinal encyclopedias as an important plant in human traditional and veterinary medicine used from ancient timeAnghoze – in Persian - [Ferula assa - foetida L. (Apiaceae)] was well knowing in fifteen century by people. This plants are used both for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. Iran is the one of the most important producers of this plant in the world. Also Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae) is one of the most important endangered medicinal plants, which is rare in nature due to poor seed germination. This plant is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran and Afghanistan and one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that grows up to 2 m high. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or Anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. It has been reported in Iranian folk medicine to be antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, laxative, sedative, nerving, analgesic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, antiseptic and also has good effects on male fertility and sexual functioning in rats and in man. In this article author state results of his research in major problems, approaches and aspects of cultivation, exploiting, economics, marketing and etc. of Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae) in south-khorasan province in east-of-Iran as a major producer and exporter of this valuable medicinal plant.