Dill
Scientific names: Anethum graveolens, Anethum sowa, Peucedanum graveolens
Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae
Alternate names: American Dill, Aneth, Aneth Odorant, Anethi Fructus, Anethi Herba, Dill Herb, Dill Oil, Dill Weed, Dillweed, Dilly, Eneldo, European Dill, Faux Anis, Fenouil Bâtard, Fenouil Puant, Huile d'Aneth, Indian Dill, Madhura, Satahva, Shatpushpa, Sotapa, Sowa
Actions: Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Contraceptive, Dermatological, Gastrointestinal, Insecticidal, Lipid, Muscular, Neurologic
Background
Dill is a plant that is used as a cooking spice and as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. People have also used dill seeds and the parts of the plant that grow above the ground as medicine.
People use dill for digestion problems, liver problems, urinary tract disorders, infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use dill for digestion problems, liver problems, urinary tract disorders, infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Dill is LIKELY SAFE when consumed as a food. Dill is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth as a medicine. Some people are allergic to dill.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dill is safe. Dill can cause skin irritation in people with dill allergies. Also, fresh dill juice can also cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for sunburns and skin cancer. Avoid sunlight. Wear sunblock and protective clothing outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if dill is safe to use when breast-feeding. It's best to stick to food amounts.
Allergy to plants in the carrot family: Dill may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to plants in the carrot family. Some of these include asafoetida, caraway, celery, coriander, and fennel.
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): People with underactive thyroid don't make enough thyroid hormone. Taking dill as a medicine seems to lower thyroid hormone levels. This might worsen symptoms in people with underactive thyroid, who already have low levels of thyroid hormone. Don't taking dill as a medicine if you have underactive thyroid.
Surgery: Dill extract might lower blood sugar. There is concern that using dill extract might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking dill extract at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dill is safe. Dill can cause skin irritation in people with dill allergies. Also, fresh dill juice can also cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for sunburns and skin cancer. Avoid sunlight. Wear sunblock and protective clothing outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use dill as a medicine if you are pregnant. Dill seed can start menstruation and that might lead to a miscarriage.There isn't enough reliable information to know if dill is safe to use when breast-feeding. It's best to stick to food amounts.
Allergy to plants in the carrot family: Dill may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to plants in the carrot family. Some of these include asafoetida, caraway, celery, coriander, and fennel.
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): People with underactive thyroid don't make enough thyroid hormone. Taking dill as a medicine seems to lower thyroid hormone levels. This might worsen symptoms in people with underactive thyroid, who already have low levels of thyroid hormone. Don't taking dill as a medicine if you have underactive thyroid.
Surgery: Dill extract might lower blood sugar. There is concern that using dill extract might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking dill extract at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Aging skin. Applying dill seed extract to the skin may reduce the size of skin wrinkles and improve the firmness of skin. But this benefit is probably small. And applying dill doesn't reduce the number of skin wrinkles.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Early research shows that taking dill for three days at the start of pain reduces pain in women with menstrual cramps.
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Early research shows that taking dill by mouth for 6 weeks while following a cholesterol-lowering diet doesn't lower blood fats in people with high cholesterol and clogged heart arteries (coronary artery disease, CAD).
- Labor pain. Early research shows that taking dill seeds at the beginning of active labor might help shorten the duration of labor. But it doesn't seem to reduce labor pain.
- Bronchitis.
- Colds.
- Cough.
- Digestive tract problems.
- Fever.
- Gallbladder problems.
- Infections.
- Intestinal gas (flatulence).
- Liver problems.
- Loss of appetite.
- Sleep disorders.
- Sore mouth and throat.
- Spasms.
- Urinary tract problems.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of dill depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for dill. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Dill might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking dill might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Dill extract might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking dill extract along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Dill extract might lower blood sugar. Taking it along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar could cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Some herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Some chemicals contained in dill seed might help relax muscles. Other chemicals might be able to fight bacteria and increase urine production like a "water pill."
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This monograph was last reviewed on 18/09/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 03/12/2014 21:59:05. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
