On 2007-06-09, maxine in ri > wrote:

> advantage of reducing gastric distress and flatulence.
>
> It's also used as an incense in some magical practices, but that's OT

The historical novelist, Patrick O'Brian (Master and Commander) has
his physician character using asafoetida as an additive to medicines
to purposely give them a bad taste, the thinking being superstitious
sailors don't trust a medicine that doesn't taste terrible.

nb