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Dill weed
contains numerous plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have
anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.
This popular herb
contains no cholesterol and low in calories. However, it is contains many
anti-oxidants, vitamins like niacin, pyridoxine etc, and dietary fibres which
help to control 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 anaesthetic and
anti-septic. Eugenol has also been found to reduce blood sugar levels in
diabetics. (Further detailed studies required 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,
ß-carotene, vitamin-C that are essential for optimum metabolism inside the
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 vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids helps
body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Fresh dill is an
excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin-C. 100 g contain about 85 g or
140% of vitamin C. Vitamin-C helps 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, sperm generation, 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.
Dill has all the
characters to consider it has one of the most valuable functional foods. 100 g
of dill weed provides only 43 calories, but its phyto-nutrients profile is no
less than any other high calorie food source; be it nuts, pulses, cereals, or
meat group.
100 g of
this herb provides (%of RDA per 100 g)-
37.5% of
folates (vitamin B11),
14% of
vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
23% of
riboflavin (vitamin B-2),
140% of vitamin-C,
257% of
vitamin-A,
21% of
calcium,
82% of iron
and
55% of
manganese.
(Note: RDA-
Recommended daily allowance)
Digestion: Dill itself is an appetizer and therefore extensively used in
culinary applications. The essential oils present in dill are stimulating and
they activate the secretion of bile and digestive juices. These oils also stimulate
peristaltic motion of the intestine, easing the passage of bowel movements and
relieving constipation.
Insomnia: 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 night’s sleep.
Bone Health: 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.
Diabetes: 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.
Excess Gas: 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.
Immune System: Dill has long been associate with antimicrobial 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: 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.
Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea 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 diarrhoea by inhibiting microbial
infections that try to attack the body.
Dysentery: 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.
Arthritis: 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.
Menstrual Disorders:
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.
dillinfographicRespiratory Disorders:
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.
Oral Care: 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.
Cancer: Let’s turn our attention to these monoterpense we’ve 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.
Other Benefits: 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 ant flatulent substance. It stimulates lactation (galactogogue)
and endocrinal secretions, enhances the libido due to the presence of Arginine
and last but not the least, it ensures bone and dental health since it is a
good source of calcium.
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