Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani. In these traditions, asafoetida is often recommended for various nervous system complaints, including neuralgia (nerve pain) and neuritis (nerve inflammation). The rationale behind its use is generally attributed to its reputed antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Texts from traditional medicine describe asafoetida as a remedy to calm the nerves, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation, though these descriptions are largely anecdotal and based on empirical evidence collected over centuries.

However, modern scientific research specifically validating asafoetida’s efficacy for neuralgia or neuritis is limited. Some experimental studies indicate that asafoetida possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could theoretically offer some benefit in nerve inflammation or pain. Nevertheless, these studies are either preliminary, conducted in vitro or on animal models, and do not directly address clinical outcomes in neuralgia or neuritis in humans. As such, the evidence supporting its use for these conditions remains primarily traditional, with little robust scientific backing at this time.