DUSHANBE , October 29, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik authorities have suspended collection of some other medicinal plants put on the county’s Red book, Agriculture and Environmental Protection Minister Abdurahmon Qodiri said 

Thereby we want to protect some species of rare medicinal plants of our country, the minister said.  

            “By proposal of the Academy of Sciences the Government has suspended collection of felura for three years, and companies wanting to work with this plant are allowed to only grow it,” Qodiri said.  

Ferula (from Latin “rod" or "ferula") is a genus of about 170 species  of flowering plants   in the family Apiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to Central Asia, mostly growing in arid climates. 

Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida, family Apiaceae), alternative spelling asafetida (also known as devil''s dung, stinking gum, asant, food of the gods, hing, and giant fennel) is a species of ferula native to Iran and Central Asia.  Asafoetida has certain medicinal uses and most commonly is used as a digestive aid. It is reputed to lessen flatulence and is often added to lentil or eggplant dishes in small quantities. It is also said to be helpful in cases of asthma and bronchitis.  Asafoetida has also been reported to have contraceptive/abortifacient activity.