Dill

Dill weed is a unique perennial herb with pleasant anise-like flavor and packed with many beneficial nutrients. Itsaleaves as well as seeds are employed as a seasoning. It is the member of the umbelliferae family, a large group of flowering herbs and spices, which include caraway, parsley, cumin, fennel, etc.a botanically, dill belongsawithin the family of apiaceae, in the genus: anethum, and scientifically named as anethum graveolens.

Dill is native to mediterranean and eastern-european regions. Just like cilantro, it too requires warm summer climates with well-drained fertile soil to flourish. It grows 1 to 2 feet in height and features dark-green leaves (sprigs) that are wispy and fern-like, have a soft texture with rich pleasant aroma and sweet taste. Dill seeds, used as spice, are similar in taste and appearance to "caraway seeds." they feature light brown color, oval shape with vertical ridges and flavor that is aromatic, sweet, and citrus, but also slight bitterly.

The health benefits of dill include its ability to boost digestive health, as well as provide relief from insomnia, hiccups, diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, respiratory disorders, and cancer.

It is also good for oral care, and can be a powerful boost for your immune system and can protect you from bone degradation.

It is also an anti-inflammatory substance, which means that it can protect you against arthritis.

Furthermore, it can reduce excess gas, and is considered a carminative.

Dill has antibacterial properties but is most known for its stomach settling ability (ever wonder why pregnant women crave pickles?). It contains a variety of nutrients but loses most when heated to high temperatures. For this reason, it is best used in uncooked recipes or in foods cooked at low temperatures. It is a great addition to any type of fish, to dips and dressings, to omelets or to poultry dishes.

Dill has seldom more than one stalk, neither so high nor so large as fennel, being round, and having fewer joints thereon; its leaves are sadder and somewhat long, and is so like fennel that it deceives many, but harder in handling, and somewhat thicker, and of a stronger unpleasant scent; the tops of the stalks have four branches, and smaller umbels of yellow flowers, which turn into small seed somewhat flatter than fennel-seed. The root is long. It usually ,rows in gardens and grounds for the pur- pose, and is also found wild in some places.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in todayas society.

Most cancer victims will attest that when it comes to herbal supplements, dill is high on their list in regards to its ability to ward off the spread of the disease.

Dill is known to have high amounts of monoterpenes which have been documented and shown to have properties associated with attacking and limiting the growth of cancer cells within the body.

Letas turn our attention to these monoterpense weave been talking about.

Monoterpenes are chemopreventive, and since they are stimulating by nature, they activate the secretion of an enzyme called glutathione-s-transferase (the radical glutathione is an effective antioxidant) which is very effective in neutralizing carcinogens.

It is particularly effective at neutralizing cyano- and benzo- derivatives and free radicals, thereby protecting the body from cancer.

The other antioxidants in the essential oils of dill also contribute to this cancer protection that people enjoy from adding dill to their diet.

Growing up in todayas society, we have always been told to drink milk to build stronger bones and have healthier teeth.

This consumption of milk revolves around the amount of calcium found within it.

Dill also contains high amounts of calcium and is therefore considered a fantastic herbal supplement for helping strengthen the durability of bones in the human body.

Everyone has had symptoms of the common cold, such as a runny nose or a productive cough.

Dill plays a strong part in the herbal community as being a supplement added to most cold remedies to assist in reducing the amount of time a cold lingers within the body.

Components found within the structure of the dill herb have been known to assist with being a fast cure for bad breath.

Dill seeds can be chewed in similar fashion to gum and breath mints and provide a health alternative for fresh clean breath that will not play a part in destroying the integrity of your teeth.

The essential oils found in herbs have peculiar and powerful properties. They are simultaneously stimulating, sedative, and hypnotic, that is, they stimulate as well as pacify.

The essential oils in dill are no exception. The flavonoids and vitamin-b complex present in its essential oils, since they are stimulating in nature, activate the secretion of certain enzymes and hormones which have calming and hypnotic effects, thereby helping people get a good nightas sleep.

The calcium content of dill means that it is an important element in protecting you from bone loss and the loss of bone mineral density.

Osteoporosis affects millions of people each year, and calcium, along with other essential minerals, are a key component in the proper growth and development of bones, and the repair of injured bones as well.

Dill has long been associated with diabetes and the management of insulin levels.

Despite the fact that research is somewhat limited in this area, particularly on human subjects, studies have indicated that they can help reduce the fluctuations of serum lipids and insulin levels in corticosteroid-induced diabetes.

As a well-known carminative, dill can help prevent the embarrassing condition of excessive gas.

It is not only an uncomfortable condition to experience in public, but if gas continues to build up, it can actually be a dangerous situation where it presses on the delicate organs of the chest cavity.

A carminative forces gas downward through the digestive tract, and allows it to leave the body in a safe way.

Dill has long been associate with anti-microbial activity, and it has been shown to prevent a number of microbial infections throughout the body, both those in various organs and those potential infections that land in wounds or small cuts on the skin.

Hiccups occur for various reasons, but primarily, they occur due to trapped gas and repeated upward movement of gases through the food pipe.

The second cause is due to certain allergies, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity and nervous malfunctioning.

Dill can actually help in all of these situations.

As a carminative, dill helps the expulsion of gases and also reduces gas formation while as a sedative, dill helps to calm down hiccups due to allergies, hyperactivity, or nervous disorders.

Diarrhea is mainly caused by two thing, indigestion and microbial action.

In terms of indigestion, dill can be quite helpful, as it has very good digestive properties.

Secondly, dill can help due to the monoterpenes and flavonoids present in its essential oils, which are germicidal or bactericidal in nature. They can help cure diarrhea by inhibiting microbial infections that try to attack the body.

Dysentery is primarily caused due to fungal infections.

For this condition as well, dill can help, since its essential oils are disinfectant in nature and help to inhibit fungal infections effectively.

Dill has long been known as an anti-inflammatory herb, meaning that it helps to reduce the inflammation and the associated pain of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and arthritis.

Dill has been used since ancient times for precisely this reason.

The flavonoids in the essential oil of dill are stimulating and emenagogic in nature, which means that they stimulate the secretion of certain hormones that help maintain proper menstrual cycles in women.

Kaempferol and certain other components of flavonoids and monoterpenes in the essential oils of dill are anticongestive and antihistaminic in nature and help clear congestion in the respiratory system due to histamine, allergies or coughs.

Dill seeds and leaves are very good mouth and breath fresheners.

Apart from that, the essential oils in it are germicidal, antioxidant and disinfectant in nature.

Due to these properties, they help end microbial infections in the mouth and their antioxidants minimize the damage caused to gums and teeth by free radicals.

Dill is a relaxant, increases strength, and increases urination to help in the removal of toxins, excess salts, and water from the body.

Furthermore, it is a carminative (helps remove excess gas), antispasmodic (prevents cramps), and an antiflatulent substance.

It stimulates lactation (galactagogue) and endocrinal secretions, enhances the libido due to the presence of arginine and last but not the least, it ensures bone and oral health since it is a good source of calcium.

Drinking dill tea is recommended for those suffering from insomnia.

Dill weed contains the carminative agent and aids with digestion by relieving intestinal gas.

Dill is said to promote lactation in nursing mothers and has been historically used as a weak tea given to babies to ease colic, encourage sleep, and get rid of hiccups

Dill weed and health teas made with dill seed relieve indigestion and nausea, and produce a lulling effect.

Gripe water is made with dill seed specifically as a remedy for colic in infants.

Since dill seeds were traditionally used to soothe the stomach after meals, place some seeds in a small dish and place it on the dinner table for all to enjoy.

The seeds contain so much calcium that 1 tablespoon contains 100 milligrams -- more than in 1/3 cup of milk.

Dill seed is a very good source of calcium, dietary fiber, as well as the minerals manganese, iron, and magnesium.

When chewed, dill seeds can be highly effective in curing bad breath.

Dill is a stimulant and carminative, and much used in flatulency. The decoction of dill is good to ease swellings and pains. The seed is of more use than the leaves, and more effectual to digest vicious humours, and is used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding therefrom. An oil made of dill is effectual to warm or dissolve humours and imposthumes, to ease pains and procure rest. The decoction of dill, herb or seed, in white wine is a powerful expeller of wind.

The dill water of the shops is made by rubbing down the oil of dill with sugar or magnesia, adding water; and strainingaabout one drop of oil to one ounce of water. Dose from half an ounce to two ounces for adults, and one or two tea-spoonfuls for children.

Dill weed contains numerous plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

This popular herb contains no cholesterol and low in calories. Nonetheless, it holds many anti-oxidants, vitamins like niacin, pyridoxine, etc., and dietary fibers, which help in controlling blood cholesterol levels.

Dill leaves (sprigs) and seeds contain many essential volatile oils such as d-carvone, dillapiol, dhc, eugenol, limonene, terpinene and myristicin.

The essential oil, eugenol in the dill has been in therapeutic usage as local-anesthetic and anti-septic. Eugenol has also been found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. (further detailed studies require to establish its role.)

Dill oil, extracted from dill seeds has anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, disinfectant, galactagogue (helps breast milk secretion), sedative properties.

It is also rich in many vital vitamins, including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin a, b-carotene, vitamin-c that is essential for optimum metabolism inside the human body.

Vitamin-a, and beta carotene are natural flavonoid antioxidants. 100 g of dill weed sprigs provide 7718 iu or 257% of recommended-daily levels of this vitamin. Vitamin a is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin, and is essential for good vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids helps the human body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Fresh dill herb is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-c. 100 g contain about 85 mg or 140% of vitamin c. Vitamin-c helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

Dill weed is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as cofactors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Zinc is a co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.