Womens Health Blog

Anethum graveolens

Dill is available as fresh greens, dried greens, or dried seeds. The dried seeds contain an essential oil, carvone, that may have an effect on smooth and skeletal muscle response.

Reported uses

Dill is used to prevent and treat diseases affecting the GI and urinary tracts as well as the kidneys, and to treat sleep disorders and spasms. The seed is used as an antispasmodic and bacteriostatic. It’s also used to treat dyspepsia. The upper stem and seeds of the plant are used, fresh or dried, as a flavoring agent and a garnish.

Administration

• Oil of dill: 0.1 to 0.3 g, or 2 to 6 gtt, three times a day
• Tea (2 teaspoons of mashed seeds steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes): 3 cups by mouth every day.
• Tincture: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, up to three times a day.

Hazards

Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disulfiram reaction. Contact with the juice from the fresh dill plant may cause skin to react badly when exposed to sunlight.

Those allergic to dill should avoid use.

Clinical considerations

Safety Risk Dill weed is high in sodium. Discourage excessive use in those with conditions that require sodium restriction, such as heart failure or renal failure.

• Tinctures may contain between 15% and 60% alcohol and may be unsuitable for children, alcoholic patients, those with liver disease, and those taking metronidazole or disulfiram.
• Monitor patient’s response to therapy, including improvement of symptoms and adverse reactions.
• Advise any patient with an allergy to dill to avoid use.
• Warn patient to seek appropriate medical evaluation right away, to avoid delaying diagnosis of a potentially serious medical condition.
• Instruct patient to promptly report adverse reactions and new signs or symptoms.
• Tell patient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of dill and the claims made regarding its effects haven’t yet been validated scientifically.

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