Practical
Plants

Anethum graveolens

Dill

an annual member of the Anethum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Anethum
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.75 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Dill is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[14]. There are also reports that dill can cause photosensitivity and or dermatitis in some people[14].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[9][21][26][4][13]. Used as a flavouring in salads etc[3][8]. The leaves lose their flavour if the are cooked for any length of time and so are best used raw or added to cooked dishes only a few minutes before the cooking is complete[17]. The leaves can be harvested at any time the plant is growing, but are best just before the plant flowers[17]. Per 100g, the plant contains 253 calories, 7.2g water, 20g protein, 4.4g fat, 55.8g carbohydrate, 11.9g fibre, 12.6g ash, 1784mg calcium, 543mg phosphorus, 48.8mg iron, 451mg magnesium, 208mg sodium, 3,308mg potassium, 3.3mg zinc, 0.42mg thiamine, 0.28mg riboflavin, 2.8mg niacin and 1.5mg vitamin B6[14]. Seed - raw or cooked. Very pungent and bitter in taste[21]. It is used as a flavouring in salads, preserves etc[9][23][26][13][22][8], its chief uses being perhaps in making dill vinegar and as a flavouring in pickled gherkins[21]. It can also be sprouted and used in breads, soups and salad dressings[8]. Per 100g, the seed contains 305 calories, 7.7g water, 14.5g fat (0.73g saturated, 124mg phytosterol and no cholesterol), 55.2g carbohydrate, 21g fibre, 6.7g ash, 1,516mg calcium, 277mg phosphorus, 16.3mg iron, 256mg magnesium, 20mg sodium, 1,186mg potassium, 5.2mg zinc, 53IU vitamin A, 0.42mg thiamine and 0.28mg riboflavin[14]. An essential oil from the seed is used as a flavouring in the food industry[22][2]. A tea is made from the leaves and/or the seeds[8].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic[21][13][22][6]. It is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil[16]. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic[18]. Chewing the seed improves bad breath[18]. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains[18]. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic[18].

Product or use
Antihalitosis
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed contains up to 4% essential oils[17]. It is used in perfuming soaps[21], medicines and as a food flavouring[17]. Some compounds of dill (d-carvone is mentioned as one of them), when added to insecticides, have greatly increased the effectiveness of the insecticides[14].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
W. Asia. Naturalized in Europe in the Mediterranean[1].
Habitat
Fields, waste places etc in the Mediterranean[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow April to early summer in situ and only just cover[11][15]. The seed germinates in 2 weeks if the soil is warm. A regular supply of leaves can be obtained if successional sowings are made from May to the end of June[25][11]. Autumn sowings can succeed if the winters are mild[21]. Dill is very intolerant of root disturbance and should not be transplanted because it will then quickly run to seed.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant[21], it prefers a moderately rich loose soil and full sun[4][19][24]. Requires a well-drained soil[19] and shelter from the wind[11]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.3 to 7.8. Dill is a commonly cultivated herb, especially in warm temperate and tropical zones. It is grown mainly for its edible leaves and seeds, though it is also used medicinally. There are many named varieties[5][8]. 'Bouquet' is an American cultivar that has a prolific production of seeds[15]. The sub-species A. graveolens sowa from India has a slightly different flavour to the type species[15]. The plant quickly runs to seed in dry weather[11]. It often self-sows when growing in a suitable position[20][24]. A good companion for corn and cabbages, also in moderation for cucumbers, lettuce and onions, but it inhibits the growth of carrots[4][7][10]. Dill reduces a carrot crop if it is grown to maturity near them[12]. However, the young plant will help to deter carrot root fly[12]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[4][7][10].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  4. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

    ↩

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  7. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩

  17. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  20. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩

  24. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  25. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

  26. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page