Asafoetida is added  to amplify flavours of certain dishes like sambhar, rasam and other stews. A pinch of flavourg. Powder can be directly added to oil along with your favourite spices, and it will blend in the backdrop, bringing out enhanced flavours of other spices. Compounded asafoetida is also useful as a digestive spice that has the additional benefit of lowering cholesterol and reducing gas, and other health problems.