Home Ingredients Asdamarin™ (Asafoetida & Milk Thistle Digestive Blend)
Gut Health

Asdamarin™ (Asafoetida & Milk Thistle Digestive Blend)

Ferula asafoetida / Silybum marianum
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Asdamarin™ is a branded blend from Vidya Herbs that combines asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) oleoresin obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (25%) with a hydroalcoholic milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract (75%), standardized to 25% silymarin. It is marketed for upper digestive comfort. One small maker-funded, placebo-controlled trial of the blend itself, published in a journal not indexed in PubMed, found larger 7-day drops in digestive symptom and quality of life scores than placebo in 70 adults with indigestion symptoms, although the Asdamarin group started with higher symptom scores. A maker-funded rat study found faster gastrointestinal transit and no toxic signs over 28 days. Two small trials of a different asafoetida product, Asafin (resin bound to fenugreek fiber), do not transfer to this blend.

Studied Dose 250 mg twice daily after meals for 7 days in the one published human trial (each capsule also held 150 mg maltodextrin). The maker-funded rat study used 50 and 100 mg/kg for 7 days (transit) and up to 1,000 mg/kg for 28 days (toxicity).
Active Compound Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) oleoresin obtained by supercritical fluid (carbon dioxide) extraction, 25%, blended with a hydroalcoholic extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), 75%, standardized by HPLC to 25% silymarin (the maker's rat study describes it as not less than 25%). Asdamarin™ is made by Vidya Herbs.

Benefits

Digestive symptom and quality of life scores in a 7-day trial

In a maker-funded, double-blind trial of 70 adults with indigestion symptoms, 250 mg twice daily for 7 days lowered a digestive symptom score (GSRS) by 13.0 points versus 2.0 on placebo, with smaller between-group differences in a dyspepsia severity score and a quality of life index. The Asdamarin group started with higher scores, and the journal is not indexed in PubMed.

Supported by Trial 1

Gastrointestinal transit in rats given the blend (animal study)

In a maker-funded rat study, 7 days of Asdamarin at 50 or 100 mg/kg increased gastrointestinal transit more than in control rats, with a larger effect at the higher dose. Gastric emptying rose from about 65% in controls to about 70 and 75%, but this change was not statistically significant. These are animal results only.

Supported by Trial 2

Indigestion symptom scores with a different asafoetida product (Asafin)

Two small trials funded by Akay tested Asafin, asafoetida resin bound to fenugreek fiber, not Asdamarin. Over 30 days, overall symptom scores fell more than on placebo. Over 14 days, early satiety, bloating and belching improved more over time than on placebo, while after-meal fullness, heartburn and upper stomach pain did not differ over time.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Milk thistle component: liver outcomes not measured for this blend

The blend supplies silymarin from milk thistle. No study of Asdamarin measured a liver or antioxidant benefit. Liver enzymes were checked only for safety, in the 7-day human trial and the 28-day rat study, and showed no notable changes.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Proposed motility effect (animal data only)

The maker's rat study proposes that the blend eases digestive discomfort by speeding movement through the gut, measured as gastrointestinal transit. A lab study of an asafoetida gum extract instead found it relaxed isolated guinea-pig intestine. Neither effect has been measured in people taking Asdamarin.

2

Silymarin content

The maker's study reports that the blend was characterized by HPLC as containing not less than 25% silymarin, the main compound group in milk thistle. Whether silymarin at this dose contributes anything to digestive effects in people has not been tested.

Clinical trials

1
Asdamarin for Upper Digestive Symptoms: 7-Day Placebo-Controlled Trial
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group pilot trial run by a contract research organization in India: 250 mg Asdamarin plus 150 mg maltodextrin, or 400 mg maltodextrin, twice daily after meals for 7 days. Funded by Vidya Herbs; 3 of the 4 authors are company employees. Registered CTRI/2018/05/013993. Published in a journal not indexed in PubMed. (Daguet et al. 2021, Ann Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol)

70 adults aged 18 to 60 meeting Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia, described by the authors as mild (35 per group; all completed).

Mean change in GSRS digestive symptom score was 13.0 points on Asdamarin versus 2.0 on placebo (p < 0.001); in the Glasgow dyspepsia severity score 0.57 versus 0.08 (p < 0.05); in the NDI-SF quality of life score 4.2 versus 0.91 (p < 0.001). Baseline scores were higher on Asdamarin (GSRS 32.1 versus 25.2; GDSS 5.66 versus 2.77), and the paper compares change scores by t-test without reporting adjustment for this difference. No adverse events were reported.

2
Asdamarin in Rats: Test Meal Transit and 28-Day Toxicity (animal study)
PubMed

Preclinical study by Vidya Herbs: phenol red meal test of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit after 7 days of Asdamarin (50 or 100 mg/kg) or domperidone in Sprague Dawley rats, plus acute (2,000 mg/kg) and 28-day (250 to 1,000 mg/kg) oral toxicity tests in Wistar rats following OECD guidelines. All authors were employees of Vidya Herbs, which funded the study and supplied the product. (Illuri et al. 2019, BMC Complement Altern Med)

Rats only; no human participants.

Asdamarin sped transit of a phenol red test meal dose-dependently versus control (p < 0.001). Gastric emptying was about 65% in controls versus about 70 and 75% at 50 and 100 mg/kg, not statistically significant. No deaths or toxic signs at 2,000 mg/kg; over 28 days at up to 1,000 mg/kg, food intake, body weight, blood counts and liver and kidney tests did not change significantly. Animal results only.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

In the one published human trial (70 adults, 7 days), no adverse events were reported and blood tests showed no clinically significant changes; longer-term human safety data are lacking. In the maker-funded rat study, a single 2,000 mg/kg dose and 28 days at up to 1,000 mg/kg caused no deaths or toxic signs.
In two short trials of a different asafoetida product (Asafin, 14 and 30 days), no adverse events were reported; 7 people in the 14-day trial noticed the taste or smell of asafoetida.
A review notes that large intakes of asafoetida can cause swelling of the mouth, gas, diarrhea, anxiety and headache.
NCCIH lists digestive symptoms such as bloating, nausea and gas as the most common milk thistle side effects, and notes that milk thistle may cause allergic reactions, particularly in people allergic to related plants.
Pregnancy: one asafoetida review states that intake is prohibited during pregnancy; another records traditional use as an abortifacient and reports that a resin extract prevented pregnancy in 80% of rats. NCCIH says little is known about milk thistle safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding women were excluded from the Asdamarin trial. Avoid during pregnancy.
Infants: a case report describes life-threatening methemoglobinemia (a loss of the blood's ability to carry oxygen) in an infant given an asafoetida remedy, and the authors advise avoiding asafoetida in infants.

Important Drug interactions

Warfarin and other blood thinners: a pharmacy review lists asafoetida among herbs that may raise bleeding risk or add to warfarin's effect, noting that nearly all such information comes from lab, animal or case data, and a pharmacology review states asafoetida may enhance warfarin. Ask a clinician before combining.
Blood pressure medicines: an asafoetida gum extract lowered blood pressure in anesthetized rats; whether oral asafoetida does this in people is unknown.
Any prescription medicine: NCCIH advises talking with a health care provider before using milk thistle, as some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.

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Frequently asked questions about Asdamarin™ (Asafoetida & Milk Thistle Digestive Blend)

What is Asdamarin used for?

Asdamarin is a Vidya Herbs blend of an asafoetida resin extract and a milk thistle extract (1:3), marketed for upper digestive comfort. Its support comes from one small, maker-funded 7-day trial of the blend and a maker-funded rat study.

Has Asdamarin itself been tested in people?

Yes, in one small trial. In 70 adults with indigestion symptoms, 250 mg twice daily for 7 days lowered digestive symptom and quality of life scores more than placebo. The maker funded it, 3 of the 4 authors work for the company, the Asdamarin group began with higher symptom scores, and the paper appeared in a journal not indexed in PubMed. No longer or independent trials have been published. Trials of Asafin, a different asafoetida product, do not apply to this blend.

What is Asdamarin?

Asdamarin™ is a branded blend from Vidya Herbs that combines asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) oleoresin obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (25%) with a hydroalcoholic milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract (75%), standardized to 25% silymarin. It is marketed for upper digestive comfort.

What is the recommended dosage of Asdamarin?

The clinically studied dose is 250 mg twice daily after meals for 7 days in the one published human trial (each capsule also held 150 mg maltodextrin). The maker-funded rat study used 50 and 100 mg/kg for 7 days (transit) and up to 1,000 mg/kg for 28 days (toxicity). Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Asdamarin safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Asdamarin include: In the one published human trial (70 adults, 7 days), no adverse events were reported and blood tests showed no clinically significant changes; longer-term human safety data are lacking. It may also interact with some medications. Asdamarin is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Asdamarin interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Warfarin and other blood thinners: a pharmacy review lists asafoetida among herbs that may raise bleeding risk or add to warfarin's effect, noting that nearly all such information comes from lab, animal or case data, and a pharmacology review states asafoetida may enhance warfari… If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Asdamarin?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Asdamarin as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 11 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(11 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Das S S, Rm V, Aneesa PA, Joy Parappilly S, Natinga Mulakal J, Chakrapani Ps B, Illathu Madhavamenon K. Ferula asafoetida oleo-gum resin alleviates dyspepsia symptoms through modulation of microbiome-gut-brain axis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(40):e44590. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000044590.PubMedUsed to support: Different product, not Asdamarin: a double-blind trial of Asafin, asafoetida resin in a fenugreek-fiber hydrogel, one 250 mg capsule a day, with a second allowed on symptom days, for 14 days (62 randomized, 56 finished). Early satiety, bloating and belching improved more over time than on placebo. After-meal fullness had a treatment effect (p = 0.004) but no significant treatment by time effect (p = 0.181), nor did heartburn (p = 0.161); in a separate rank test day-14 fullness was lower than on placebo. Funded by the maker, Akay Natural Ingredients, with company co-authors.
  2. Mala KN, Thomas J, Syam DS, Maliakel B, Krishnakumar IM. Safety and Efficacy of Ferula asafoetida in Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:4813601. doi: 10.1155/2018/4813601.PubMedUsed to support: Different product, not Asdamarin: a double-blind trial in 43 adults with functional dyspepsia of Asafin (asafoetida resin bound to fenugreek fiber, 250 mg twice daily) or placebo for 30 days. Overall symptom scores improved significantly more than on placebo, 66% were symptom-free at the end, and no adverse events occurred. Akay provided financial support and the product, and 3 of the 5 authors were from its R&D center.
  3. Illuri R, Venkataramana SH, Daguet D, Kodimule S. Sub-acute and acute toxicity of Ferula asafoetida and Silybum marianum formulation and effect of the formulation on delaying gastric emptying. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):159. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2576-7.PubMedUsed to support: The only published study of Asdamarin itself, in rats: describes the blend as asafoetida CO2 extract and milk thistle extract in a 1:3 ratio with not less than 25% silymarin; 7 days at 50 or 100 mg/kg increased gastrointestinal transit dose-dependently, while the rise in gastric emptying was not significant; no toxic signs at a single 2,000 mg/kg dose or over 28 days at up to 1,000 mg/kg. All authors were employees of Vidya Herbs, which funded the study.
  4. Báez G, Vargas C, Arancibia M, Papuzinski C, Franco JV. Non-Chinese herbal medicines for functional dyspepsia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;6(6):CD013323. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013323.pub2.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review of 41 trials of 27 non-Chinese herbal medicines for functional dyspepsia. For Ferula asafoetida it found one study with 43 participants showing improved symptoms versus placebo, rated low-certainty evidence. It did not include any study of Asdamarin.
  5. Amalraj A, Gopi S. Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2017;7(3):347-359. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.11.004.PubMedUsed to support: Review of asafoetida: states that large intakes can cause swelling of the mouth, flatulence, diarrhea, anxiety and headache, and that intake is prohibited during pregnancy.
  6. Mahendra P, Bisht S. Ferula asafoetida: Traditional uses and pharmacological activity. Pharmacogn Rev. 2012;6(12):141-6. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.99948.PubMedUsed to support: Review of traditional uses and pharmacology: records traditional use as an abortifacient, reports that a methanol resin extract given orally prevented pregnancy in 80% of rats, describes anticoagulant activity of gum extracts given intravenously to animals, and states that asafoetida may enhance the activity of warfarin.
  7. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000;57(13):1221-7; quiz 1228-30..PubMedUsed to support: Pharmacy review listing asafoetida among herbal products that may potentially increase bleeding risk or potentiate warfarin, noting that nearly all information on herb and warfarin interactions comes from lab, animal or case data.
  8. Fatehi M, Farifteh F, Fatehi-Hassanabad Z. Antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of Ferula asafoetida gum extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;91(2-3):321-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.01.002.PubMedUsed to support: Lab and animal study: an asafoetida gum extract reduced spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea-pig intestine and relaxed precontracted tissue, and lowered mean arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats.
  9. Al-Qahtani S, Abusham S, Alhelali I. Severe Methemoglobinemia Secondary to Ferula asafoetida Ingestion in an Infant: A Case Report. Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2020;8(1):56-59. doi: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_5_18.PubMedUsed to support: Case report of life-threatening methemoglobinemia in an infant after ingestion of a Ferula asafoetida herbal remedy; the authors advise that asafoetida remedies be avoided in infants.
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), accessed 2026. Milk Thistle. NCCIH (National Institutes of Health). 2025;Fact sheet, last updated February 2025..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. US government fact sheet: the most common milk thistle side effects are digestive, such as bloating, nausea and gas; it may cause allergic reactions, particularly in people allergic to related plants; little is known about safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding; people taking any medicine should talk with a health care provider first.
  11. Daguet D, Venkataramana SH, Thomas JV, Kodimule SP. Asdamarin™ relieves functional dyspepsia in healthy adults in only 7 days: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Ann Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;5:018-024. doi: 10.29328/journal.acgh.1001028.SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 7-day pilot trial of Asdamarin 250 mg twice daily after meals in 70 adults meeting Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia: mean change in GSRS was 13.0 versus 2.0 on placebo (p < 0.001), GDSS 0.57 versus 0.08 (p < 0.05) and NDI-SF 4.2 versus 0.91 (p < 0.001); the Asdamarin group had higher baseline scores. No adverse events. Describes the blend as 25% supercritical asafoetida oleoresin and 75% hydroalcoholic milk thistle extract standardized to 25% silymarin. Funded by Vidya Herbs; 3 of 4 authors are company employees; registered CTRI/2018/05/013993.