Medicinal Plants : Anethum graveolens

Name

Dill

Biological Name

Anethum graveolens
Umbelliferae

Other Names

Dill, dilly, garden dill, dill seed, dill fruit

Parts Used

Seeds

Remedies For

Carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, galactogogue, calmative, diuretic, stomachic

Dill is an excellent remedy for flatulence and the colic that is sometimes associated with it. It is the herb of choice for colic of children. Chewing the seeds will help clear bad breath.

Dill tea, made with water or white wine, is a popular remedy for upset stomach. Dill also helps stimulate appetite, and a decoction of the seed may be helpful for insomnia as well as for pains due to flatulence. Nursing mothers can use dill to promote the flow of milk, particularly in combination with anise, coriander, fennel, and caraway.

Active Compounds

Volatile oil, consisting mainly of carvone with dihydrocarvone, limonene, a- and b-phellandrene, eugenol, anethole, myristicin, carveole, x-pinene.

Flavonoids: kaempferol and its blucuronide, vicenin.

Coumarins such as scopoletin, esculetin, bergapten, umbelliferone.

Xanthone derivatives such as dillanoside.

Miscellaneous; triterpenes, phenolic acids, protein, fixed oil.

Description

Dill is an annual plant widely cultivated as a spice but also found growing wild in North and South America and in Europe. The hollow, finely grooved stem grows 1 to 3 feet high and is striped dark green and white with bluish spots. The leaves are bluish-green, bipinnate with filiform leaflets; the base dilates into a sheath surrounding the stem. Flat, compound umbels of yellow flowers appear from July to September, producing eventually the oval, ribbed dill seeds.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the gently crushed seeds and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. For the treatment of flatulence take a cup before meals.

Tincture: take 1-2ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.