Hi Friends

Some of you might not be aware of the name of this magnificent herb DILL, but I am pretty sure that, most of you have enjoyed this feathery green herb DILL often as a garnish for your mouth-watering recipes and with your hot soups & salads.

But do you know that?

The use of Dill is not just restricted to culinary uses, furthermore it is so nutritionally dense and has been used as Ayurveda medicines since ancient times and possesses so many health benefits that can surprise you.

But before proceeding with those amazing and surprising health benefits lets first investigate

What is Dill?

Dill or dill weed is also known as Anethum graveolens (Dill’s Botanical name) which means strong smelling. It is an annual, versatile and, aromatic plant with 50–150 cm height; and, slender stem.

It belongs to the apiaceae family with alternate leaves that finally divided three or four times into pinnate sections that, give it vague and feathery appearance.

Its seeds are smaller, flatter and lighter with a pleasant aromatic aroma. 

Dill is being used for medicinal purposes from Egyptian times (approx. 5000 years ago) and, in Ayurveda Dill is used for more than 50 Ayurveda preparations, such as

Dasmoolarishtam,

Mrithasanjeevani,

Dhanwanthararishtam,

Saraswatharishtam…………etc.

Nutritional & chemical profile of Dill

Dill or Dill weeds contains

Carbohydrates 36%,

Proteins 15.68%,

Fiber 14.80%,

Ash 9.8%,

Moisture 8.39%

Furthermore

*It is enriched with essential oils, fatty acids, minerals (such as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sodium), vitamins (such as C, A, B6, niacin) and, manganese, folate, iron etc.

*It is also a rich source of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, phytochemicals, carvone (which is the main odorant of Dill seeds), saponins, α-phellandrene & limonene (these two are the major constituents of dill oil) , cardiac glycosides, terpenes and, monoterpenes etc which account for its pharmacological properties.

 

Amazing five health benefits of Dill

1.Improve skin elasticity & smooth wrinkles

As we age our skin starts losing its two primary proteins collagens & elastin (proteins that make our skin firm, elastic &, wrinkle-free) by virtue of which our skin starts losing its elasticity & firmness and, starts showing the sign of aging such as saggy & loose skin, wrinkle, etc.

If you are the one who wants to restore your youth then dill could be your best friend and, just by including it into your daily diet and skincare regime you can get soft, wrinkle-free, firm and supple skin, because Dill stimulate both collagens & elastin, furthermore it also promote cell rejuvenation and detoxification as well. 

These all are credits to Dill’s

*free radical scavenging activity because of the presence of two amazing detoxifying enzymes such as GSH & GST (which help to remove various carcinogens & toxin form our body) and  

*Anti-oxidants property because of the presence of vitamin A & C that helps to protect our body from free radicals and promote cell rejuvenation by virtue of which our skin become soft, supple, firm and, wrinkle-free.

According to a study published in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) after using Dill extract for skin, the skin becomes more elastic, wrinkles appear to be smooth and facial contours appear remodeled.

 2.Management of Diabetes

“Diabetes Mellitus”    Type 2 “Diabetes” is basically a nutritional disorder of macronutrients (such as carbohydrates, fat, and protein) metabolism due to insufficient insulin secretion and, it constitutes approx. 90-95% of the diabetic cases in the world.

Diabetic patients are having various chemical drugs to control their diabetic complication but nevertheless these chemical drugs are very expensive and, show severe side effects on human health.

But thanks to the anti-diabetic property of Dill because of presence of tannin, saponin, quercetin, phenol, flavonoid, and alkaloid in high concentration and, all these compounds shows a very promising hypoglycemic property and, inhibits intestinal glucose absorption.

According to a study published in the U.S. National library of medicine consumption of Dill has a significant anti-diabetic effect in both humans and animals. 

3.Lowers Cholesterol

“For every 1% reduction in “Cholesterol”, there is a decrease in the risk of “Heart Attack by 2%”.

The above statement clearly indicates that “Heart Disease” is directly linked to the ”Level of Cholesterol” & lowering that cholesterol level can significantly reduce the risk of “Heart Attack”.

Generally people take chemical drugs (mainly Statin) to lower their cholesterol levels and, to prevent cardiovascular disease but these drugs are associated with various severe adverse effects.

That’s why dietary supplement are best alternatives to prevent lifestyle related health issues such as cholesterol and, once again thanks to the quercetin  glycosides (QG)  & rutin bioactive compound present in the Dill by virtue of which it decrease serum cholesterol and LDL-C levels and decrease liver cholesterol level.

Study published in the national institute of health also suggested that Dill shows various health promoting effects such as hypoglycemic & hypolipidemic effects, and help to reduce the incidence of diabetic complications. 

4. Relieve Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps or painful menstruation considered to be the most common gynecological problem, approximately two third of young women went through this painful situation during menstruation.

It shows a detrimental effect on a women's life but thanks to the dill that contain two compounds such as tannin and anethol with sedative effects and have ability to relieve the pain.

According to a randomized study published in a research journal demonstrated that Dill can be as effective as mefenamic acid (which is a prescription drug and used for moderate pain and, Dysmenorrhea) in decreasing the pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea. 

5. May Treat Epilepsy

Epilepsy, which is a common neurological disorder, is generally characterized by recurrent & unpredictable seizure

While there are many medications prescribed as antiepileptic drugs to help reduce the symptoms but all these antiepileptic drugs are chemical compounds that show severe side effects on cognition and behavior furthermore these drugs are also associated with chronic toxicity and teratogenicity.

That’s why nowadays people are looking for natural alternatives and herbal remedies to treat epilepsy and Dill leaves are one of them which have been used as a folk medicine to treat seizure in southwestern Asia.

Study published in a U.S. research journal also supported it evidently and suggested that dill extract has exhibited protective effects on the central nervous system which could decrease epileptic paroxysms.

Bottom line for Dill

Dill is a traditional herb and its leaves & seeds both are used for Culinary purpose furthermore various extract and essential oil are also extracted by them that can cater variety of health benefits. Although Dill usage is safe but it may rarely lead to some allergic reactions to the people with allergies to plants such as: skin irritation, throat swelling, oral pruritus, diarrhea and vomiting.

Furthermore, dill may lower blood sugar because of its Hypoglycemic Properties, so if you have diabetes or are having surgery then first consult your health consultant.

Conclusion:

Dill is very easy to grow at your home and if you are buying Dill leaves from grocery store then you can store them in your fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. You can incorporate its health benefits via your diet just by directly adding it into your food but remember to add them at last minute of cooking so it won’t lose its essential vitamin, minerals and flavor.

If you have any query or suggestion you can write it into comment section or at prajsanjivani@gmail.com.

Thanks

Ms. P Rajeshwari

(Aromatherapist)

Diet & Beauty consultant