Dill - Health Benefits and Side Effects

The Dill Plant (Anethum graveolens)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:Markus Hagenlocher

Botanical Name of Dill : Anethum graveolens
Other Common Names:
Anethum, Dilla, Anise, Shubit.

Habitat:
Dill originates from Mediterranean, West Asia and Eastern Europe.

Plant Description:
It grows to 40–60 cm with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm long. leaf divisions are 1–2 mm broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow. The seeds are 4–5 mm long and 1 mm thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface. Dill is in leaf from May to November, in flower from April to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August.

Plant Parts Used:
Leaves, flowers, seeds.

Dill Seed and Weed

Organic Dill Seed
by Starwest Botanicals

Organic Dill Weed
by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Uses and Benefits of Dill

Dill is used as an appetizer. It is believed to stimulate peristaltic motion of the intestine and it has been used as an herbal remedy for heartburn.
It is used as and herbal remedy for insomnia. The flavonoids and vitamin-B complex which dill is rich of are believed to activate the secretion of certain enzymes and hormones which have calming effect.
Monoterpenes and flavonoids present in its essential oils are germicidal or bactericidal in nature. They can help treat diarrhea by inhibiting microbial infections.

The Medicinal Herb Dill
(Anethum graveolens)

Dill is high in calcium which promotes healthy teeth and bones. Also, dill seeds and leaves are very good mouth fresheners due to its anti-microbial nature.
Dill is high in substances known as monoterpenes which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
It may help to protect the stomach lining. It has shown significant reduction of stomach acid secretions in mice, but has not yet been tested on humans for this effect.
Dill contains components known as polyacetylenes which have been shown to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity as well as anti-inflammatory effects.
Dill contains dietary fiber and it is a good source of the minerals manganese, iron and magnesium.
Dill has been thought to help lactating women increase the flow of milk.
For menstrual disorders the Flavonoids in the essential oils of dill are believed to stimulate secretion of certain hormones which in turn help maintain proper menstrual cycles.
Commonly added to cough, cold and flu remedies.

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Dosage and Administration:

Since dill is so widely used and recognized as a spice or flavoring agent, it is best to use it as that. Dill is a unique plant in that both its leaves and seeds are used as a seasoning. Dill's green leaves are wispy and fernlike and have a soft, sweet taste. Dried dill seeds are light brown in color and oval in shape. The seeds are similar in taste to caraway, with a flavor that is aromatic, sweet and citrusy, and slightly bitter. Leaves are best used fresh, while the seeds are most commonly used dried. The flowers of the dill plant are also sometimes used to flavor soups and salads. As it is also common to chew dried dill seeds at any time as a breath freshener.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Dill

Reports on the side effects of dill are limited. The most common side effect is dermatitis but it is considered very rare and usually only when dealing with large quantities of the live plant outdoors in the presence of ultra-violet light.

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