Dill: properties, benefits and contraindications

He dill or net (Anethum graveolens L.) is one of the great aromatic and seasoning plants on which we can count to give a pleasant flavor to our recipes. It is also known as false fennel or stink fennel, due to its great similarity with this plant, with which it is closely related, since both are umbelliferous. Has a somewhat aniseed fragrancebut less intense than fennel, perhaps sweeter.

The plant measures up to 120 cm high, with leaves divided into linear segments, flowers grouped in large or medium umbels, up to 20 cm in diameter, with unequal rays. the little ones flowers are yellowish, very similar to those of fennel, and its fruits are elliptical, laterally compressed, very aromatic. It blooms from the month of April, depending on the latitude.

Dill is native to Western Asia., mainly Turkey and the Persia area, but has been naturalized in the European Mediterranean since ancient times. In the Iberian Peninsula we find it spontaneous in the mediterranean coastline and it is cultivated in fields, orchards and medicinal nurseries.

dill properties

The fruits (which contain the seeds inside) and the young leaves are harvested from the dill. Its properties are largely due to its rich in essential oil, which contains limonene, carvone, eugenol, anethole and caryophyllene. It also contains myristicin, phenolic acids such as caffeic and chlorogenic, phytosterols, flavonoids (kenferol), coumarins (esculetin, umbelliferone), tannins and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Dill is also rich in mineral salts, especially iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and potassium. It also contributes vitamin C and vitamin Ain addition to folic acid.

Among the properties of dill are:

Digestive properties Carminative properties Antispasmodic properties Antibacterial and antiviral properties Galactogenic properties Diuretic properties Antioxidant properties

What is dill good for?

Dill is, above all, a plant of powerful digestive propertiesuseful to favor a good digestion and to relieve gastrointestinal spasms and stomach heaviness.

Like other herbs of its lineage, dill is also used to combat gasesthe abdominal swelling and flatulence.

Along with these benefits are attributed the following:

to relieve reflux

Among its benefits of dill for digestion, it is worth noting its protective action against gastroesophageal reflux.

He gastroesophageal refluxwhich manifests itself with a sensation of heartburn, a bad taste in the mouth and, sometimes, acidity, is a very common and annoying digestive condition, which can affect more than 20% of the Spanish population, either occasional or chronic

As natural remedy for relieve gastroesophageal refluxin the herbalists they will surely recommend various very effective plants, such as the licorice, mint and also dill.

The dill develops a clear anti-inflammatory and restorative action on the digestive mucosa, providing progressive relief. Different clinical studies have been carried out in the laboratory that support its effectiveness.

To fight infections

Dill extracts have been tested in clinical analyzes for their antibacterial activity for the treatment of gastric infections due to S.aureus, E.coli and Salmonella and other bacterial strains, with promising results.

for diarrhea and colic in children

Dill remedies have been used to relieve colic and diarrhea in children of young age

It is also attributed a slight galactogenic action, due to its supposed ability to increase breast milk productionbut there is no scientific evidence to confirm it.

for the bones

For his rich in calciumdill, either as a cooking seasoning or medicinal remedy, can promote bone health And help slow the onset of osteoporosis in the future.

for skin and muscles

Externally, dill is applied in the form of washes or in compresses to washing or disinfecting skin woundson scalds and non-serious burns, sores and skin ulcers, but also on insect bites.

He dill essential oil has been used as insect repellentapplied with the help of a diffuser or spray, or using the fresh herb.

Topicallythe essential oil of dill applied in the form of scrubs or massages and combined with vegetable oil such as almond oil serves to soothe muscle tensioncervical pain, cramps and back pain.

And finally, dill, as a diuretic plant, is indicated for increase urine output and to avoid or reduce fluid retention.

How do you take dill?

is taken in infusion of the fruits, better if you combine it with other herbs with similar effects. Two cups daily.

In herbalists and pharmacies you can find various products with dill in the form of capsules to treat digestive problems, including gastroesophageal reflux.

He dill essential oil It is applied externally in massage or scrub on cramps, muscle pain and to calm the nerves. It is a highly valued remedy in aromatherapy.

dill contraindications

It is not prudent to take the essential oil internally, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and by children under 12 years of age.

Nor should it be taken in case of gastroduodenal ulcer, Crohn’s disease and other neurological conditions.

use in the kitchen

The fresh dill leaves can be incorporated as flavorings in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, rice dishes, breads and smoked foods. It is a classic ingredient of the iranian, thai and chinese cuisine, but it is also prevalent in Scandinavian cuisine and French cuisine.

It is used to decorate Crepespuff pastry, canapés, various breads and cakes, and to flavor pickles and vegetables.

Many sauces are also made with its leaves, sometimes associated with mustard, smoothie cucumber, vegan yogurt or similar.

Its essential oil can even be used in cooking.

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Examples of dishes with dill are:

Cucumber Dill Salad Apple Pineapple Dill Salad (or Other Fruit Salads) Endive Dill Salad German Potato Dill Salad Zucchini Fritters with Dill Dill Beetroot Pie with Dill Greek Tzatziki with Mint and Dill Carrot Cake with Dill Spaghetti with Dill Sauce dill

When we talk about mustard, we immediately think of mustard sauce, an essential condiment in international cuisine. This sauce is obtained from different plants, mustards, to which many medicinal applications are also attributed, especially to relieve rheumatic and muscular pain.

mustard plant

With the name of mustard they are known various related species of the cruciferous family, used all of them for the elaboration of the famous kitchen condiment. They are the white mustard (sinapis alba), black mustard (sinapis nigra) or Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea), among other.

mustards are robust plants, up to 1 meter tall, with large, bluish-green, wrinkled leaves, in some cases split into irregular segments, and large, yellow flowers, gathered in terminal inflorescences. The fruits are elongated and pointed capsules, called siliqueswhich open longitudinally and contain numerous seeds inside.

These mustard seeds are the part used, both in cooking and in natural medicine.

His place of origin varies by plant: Eastern Europe for black mustard or Western Asia for white mustard, for example, but some of these species occur spontaneously throughout Europe and are cultivated on a large scale for industrial use.

The main producers of mustard grain They are Ukraine, Russia, Canada, the United States, China and Ethiopia.

mustard properties

Mustard is basically used as a cooking seasoning. Its medicinal use is much less than in past times and is based on traditional practiceswhich in some cases are trying to recover.

Mustard seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, linolenic and erucic. They also contain abundant mucilages, essential oil with sulfur compounds such as sinigrin (in the black mustard) or the glycosinolate (in the white mustard), glycosides such as sinalbine in the white mustard, mineral salts, vitamins C and B3.

are attributed to him analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antimigraine, aperitif, revulsive, rubefacient, antibiotic, antioxidant and antifungal.

What is mustard used for as a natural remedy?

The medicinal use of mustard is based mainly on traditional uses, which continue to be promoted by well-established herbalists and Chinese medicine treatments.

mustard for pain

The mustard flour applies in the form of a hot poultice to combat severe or prolonged pain in arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout attacks, neuralgia, sciatica and sports injuries. The heat of the flour dough attracts the blood to the point where the pain is located and tends to reduce it, like a revulsive.

It is also indicated for relieve muscle painthe one caused by contractures and sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, back pain and neck pain.

It has traditionally been used to combat headaches, including migraine, in the form of rubbing on the forehead or in relaxing baths.

The remedies with mustard, externallyare recommended in many herbalists to relieve some symptoms of menopause and menstrual periodsuch as fatigue, lower back pain or headache.

Mustard for blood circulation

The mustard, in the form of sitz baths and foot baths, It has traditionally been used to stimulate blood circulation in the feet and legs, to combat feelings of heaviness and fatigue, as well as leg swelling.

cold mustard

The mustard and flax meal poultices They were traditionally used to relieve acute colds, flu episodes, bronchitis, mild pneumonia and asthmatic attacks, applied hot on the chest.

Mustard as an antifungal

The baths and rinses with mustard have been used in traditional and herbal remedies to combat fungal infections on the feet and other parts of the bodysuch as athlete’s foot or ringworm on the toes, onychomycosis or fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails, thrush and other fungal infections.

How mustard is used for therapeutic purposes

Mustard is basically applied topically in the form of:

Mustard flour in poultices (synapism) for respiratory conditions. Mustard flour poultices are also used to relieve joint and muscle pain.Baths and foot baths with sachets of mustard flour in the bathtub to combat fungal infections, for muscular and neuralgic pain. Foot baths and massage with mustard flour to combat migraine.Mustard essential oil, mixed with almond oilto apply in the form of scrubs or massage in case of headaches, muscle tension, rheumatic pain,…