Description: Dill is an annual plant widely cultivated as a spice but also found growing wild in North and South America and in Europe. The hollow, finely grooved stem grows 1 to 3 feet high and is striped dark green and white with bluish spots. The leaves are bluish-green, bipinnate with filiform leaflets; the base dilates into a sheath surrounding the stem. Flat, compound umbels of yellow flowers appear from July to September, producing eventually the oval, ribbed dill seeds.

Dill is an ancient Egyptian remedy described in the Ebers papyrus (c. 1500 BCE), where it is an ingredient in a pain-killing mixture.

The ancient Greeks are believed to have covered their eyes with fronds of the herb to induce sleep.

Dill was commonly used as a charm against witchcraft in the Middle Ages and was burned to clear thunderclouds.

Main constituents: The essential oils from leaves (0.35%) and fruits (2 to 4%) differ slightly in composition: In the fruit oil, the main components are carvone (40 to 60%) and limonene (40%), but other monoterpenes appear only in traces (phellandrene, carveol, terpinene and dihydrocarvone). In the leaf oil, the aroma is determined by carvone (30 to 40%), limonene (30 to 40%), phellandrene (10 to 20%) and other monoterpenes; dill ether (a monoterpene ether) is characteristic of dill leaf oil.

Properties: Carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, galactogogue, calmative, diuretic, stomachic

Uses: Dill is a popular pickling herb commonly grown in most gardens. Although it is no longer extensively used as a medicinal herb in the US, most European herbalists rely on it as a digestive aid, to treat intestinal gas and flatulence, and calming the digestive tract. It has long been used to relieve infant colic, induce sleep, and treat kidney disorders and spasms. The essential oil relieves intestinal spasms and cramps and helping to settle colic.

Like caraway, chewing dill seeds, not only helps digestion, but clears bad breath (halitosis).

Indian medicine uses it for halitosis, worm infestation, respiratory complaints, and syphilis.

Whole seeds are crushed are used to make teas or infusions for internal use and makes a useful addition to cough, cold, and flu remedies.

Used with such antispasmodics as crampbark, it will help relieve menstrual pain.

Dill has long been used to increase milk production; and, when taken regularly by nursing mothers, it helps to avoid colic in their babies.

A related species native to India and tropical Asia, A. sowa , is also used to soothe indigestion.

Safety Considerations: Do not take essential oil internally unless under professional supervision.

People sensitive to dill may develop a skin rash from ingesting it, but the leaves, seeds and seed oil are generally considered nontoxic. If skin irritations develops, discontinue use.

Magical:

Folk Names: Aneton, Dill, Dilly, Garden Dill, Chebbeit, Sowa, Keper, Hulwa, Buzzalchippet

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mercury

Powers: Protection, Money, Lust, Love

Uses: Offers protection when hung at the door and carried in protective sachets. If placed over the door, no one ill-disposed or envious of you can enter your house. Put it into a cradle to protect children. Use dill in money spells. Add it to a bath, it will make the bather irresistible. Dill stimulates lust if eaten or smelled. Smell dill to cure hiccoughs.

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