The gum resin of sagapenum has an odour very much resembling that of assafoetida, but less powerful. Like the latter gum resin, it also gives, when treated with alcohol, a pale yellow solution, while the greater portion of the mass remains undissolved. The white matter which is left behind after exhaustion with alcohol, is soluble in water, giving a milky solution. The alcoholic solution, when evaporated, gives a pale-yellow resin, having a strong garlic odour, melting readily, and becoming fluid at 212° Fahr.