Taiwanese scientists discovered ferula assafoetida, commonly known as devil's dung, showed great efficacy in stopping the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Asafoetida, which was used in 1918 to fight the Spanish influenza pandemic, may serve as promising lead components for new drug development against swine flu.

Scientists at the Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan report that the roots of Asafoetida produce natural antiviral drug compounds that kill the swine flu virus, H1N1.

In an article published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Natural Products, the researchers said compounds showed stronger antiviral properties and had flu-fighting properties that include H1N1 flu.

The plant mostly grows throughout Iran, Afghanistan and mainland China, and is commonly dubbed devil's dung due to its strong sulfurous odor.

The new finding encourages that Granny Clampett's Asafoetida may lead to a 21st Century cure combatant to swine flu.

NAT/SC/DT