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.
