The Dill Plant

Anethum graveolens

The Dill plant is also known as Dill Seed, Dill Weed, and Benth.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Dill is a popular culinary herb and has been used medically by doctors since ancient times. It is an annual that grows to about three feet tall.

The Dill Weed has small yellow flowers that are clustered on the flat heads of the plant from midsummer. It has seeds that are oval, flat, ribbed and light brown.

The Dill herb is the most popular for treating children with colic and chewing the seeds will clear up bad breath.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* a sedative

* flatulence

* colic

* nausea

* stimulating appetite

* aiding digestion

* stimulating the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers

Use externally for:

* soothing muscle tension

* strengthening fingernails

(Use an infusion of dill seeds to strengthen the fingernails.)

PREPARATION:

Dill Weed is available as dill water, dill fruit, and dill oil in health food stores and available in grocery stores as a spice for cooking.

It can also be used in an infusion.

Parts used: Leaves and seeds

Collection: The seeds are collected when they are fully ripe, when they have turned brown.

Constituents: Limonene, volatile oil, carvone, flavonoids

Actions: Carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-emetic, galactogogue

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* The Dill herb has no known safety issues or interactions with other drugs when taken in the recommended amounts.