Brand name:                          Dill                                                   Latin name: Anethum graveolens                                                   A Remedy For                                                             Appetite loss                               Bronchitis                               Colds                               Cough                               Fever                               Liver and gallbladder problems                               Sore throat                               Tendency to infection                                                   Both Dill seed and Dill leaf have been used medicinally, but only Dill seed                       has been proven effective. It provides relief for all the conditions listed                       above, and is also used for upset stomach. In Asian medicine, it is used                         as a remedy for chest congestion, intestinal gas, bad breath, and skin                         diseases.                                                 Dill leaf has been used for stomach and intestinal problems, kidney and                                                   urinary tract conditions, spasms, and sleep disorders, but its effectiveness                       for these conditions remains unproven.                                                   What It Is; Why It Works                          Dill is a familiar kitchen spice, best known as a flavoring for pickled                         cucumbers. The tiny seeds are extremely light: 1, 000 of them weigh only                       1 gram. They act medicinally by relieving spasms and blocking the growth                       of bacteria. The more potent oil of Dill is obtained from the seeds.                                                 Dill's natural habitat includes the Mediterranean region, and the plant was                                                 well known in biblical times. In Matthew XXIII:23 it is mentioned by its                                                 original Greek name, Anethon. During the first century, Greek herbalist                                                 Dioscorides also used the Greek name. But by the 17th century, scholars                                                 were already calling it by the modern name "Dill."                                                   Avoid If...                          There are no known medical conditions that preclude the use of Dill.                                                   Special Cautions                          At usual dosage levels, Dill poses no health hazards. Contact with juice                         from the fresh plant, however, can make your skin react badly to sunlight.                                                   Possible Drug Interactions                          No interactions have been reported.                                                 Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding                                                   No harmful effects are known.                                                   How To Prepare                          Whole Dill seed can be made into a tea.                                                   Typical Dosage                          Dill is taken orally. The usual daily dosage is:                                                   Dill seed: 3 grams                          Oil of Dill: 0.1 to 0.3 grams (2 to 6 drops)                                                   Overdosage                          No information on overdosage is available.