Dill Essential Oil

Dill oil, India Has a fresh, warm, spicy-herbal aroma that is most recognizable in dill pickles. Naturally occurring substances are carvone, limonene, and dihydrocarvone and trace amounts of eugenol, anisic aldehyde, anethole and thymol. Most American Dill weed oil, a lesser quality, is used in the pickle industry.

Dill Essential Oil is extracted through steam distillation of dried seeds of Dill or Anethum graveolens, as it is scientifically called. The basic components of Dill Essential Oil are D-Carvone, Dillapiol, Eugenol, Limonene, Terpinene and Myristicin. Many herbalists around the world use the herb for various health conditions, and it is a great culinary herb for kitchen use.

The health benefits of Dill Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, disinfectant, galactagogue, sedative, stomachic and sudorific.

Following are the medicinal properties of Dill Essential Oil.

* Anti-Spasmodic: Spasm can be very irritating and in extreme cases, can even be fatal. Spasm is a case of unwanted and abnormal contraction, either in respiratory tracts, or in intestines, or in muscles or in nerves, which may result in non-stop coughs, hiccups, cramps or muscle pulls, convulsions and epileptic attacks. In extreme cases, a patient may have acute pain in intestines or may run out of breath in cases of coughs and hiccups and may even collapse. Such attacks of spasm can be pacified with the help of Dill Essential oil. It has a relaxing effect on nerves, muscles, intestines and the respiratory system and pacifies spasmodic attacks, giving quick relief. Athletes drink dill pickle juice, which contains the oil, for a cure of charlie horses (muscle cramps). In very small portions, it is used to help babies with colic. See Galactagogue qualities below.
* Carminative: Dill Essential Oil can efficiently handle gas trouble. It does not only help remove gas from intestine, but also stops further gas formation. Moreover, it gives the gases a safe downward passage by relaxing the muscles in the abdominal region.
* Digestive: Dill seeds have been in use as a remedy to facilitate digestion. This digestive property of Dill seeds comes from its essential oils. Dill oil promotes digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices like gastric juices, acids and bile in the stomach. Its aroma also stimulates the salivary glands and thus aids in the primary digestion of the food in the mouth. Lastly, it stimulates the peristaltic movement of the intestines and helps the ingested food to advance through them, thereby facilitating digestion again.
* Disinfectant: Dill Oil is also known for its disinfectant properties. Added in food stuffs, it protects them from getting spoiled from infection by microbes. Consumed, it cures microbial infection in colon, urinary tract, kidneys, genitals etc. Applied externally, it protects skin and wounds from infections and helps them heal quickly. It can be used in dilution for applying on scalp to protect hair from various infections, lice etc.
* Galactagogue: Galactagogue is a substance or an agent that increases formation of milk in the breasts. It also enhances the quality of milk. This property is very helpful for the lactating mothers and the babies. Dill oil is a Galactagogue. Apart from increasing milk, it also helps babies in another way. Babies, who are on mother’s milk, often suffer from flatulence, indigestion and gas. The carminative and digestive properties of Dill oil are also absorbed in the milk and thus indirectly help the baby get rid of such problems.
* Sedative: Dill oil has nice sedating and calming effects on nerves and brain, making a person feel relaxed and satisfied. It is useful to get rid of anxiety, tension, anger, depression and even hypertension. It even helps have a good sleep at the end of the day.
* Stomachic: Being a stomachic means being an agent who keeps the stomach healthy, toned and functioning properly and Dill oil does exactly that. It keeps the stomach in proper shape, regulates secretion of digestive juices and bile into it, keeps it safe from infections and also helps healing of ulcers or wounds, if any, in the stomach.
* Vulnerary: Dill Essential Oil acts as a vulnerary by promoting quick healing of wounds, external or internal, and protecting them from infections.
* Sudorific: Dill oil brings about sweating and hence gives a feeling of lightness. This also helps removal of excess water, salt and toxic substances from body, lowering of blood pressure, reduce swelling and keep the skin healthy. Perspiration (except abnormally heavy) is seen as a sign of good health, and it is good for health too.
* Other Benefits: It helps ease constipation and cure colic.

Few Words of Caution: Should be avoided during pregnancy.

Blending: Dill Essential Oil blends well with Lime, Lemon, Orange and other citrus oils as well as Bergamot, Caraway and Nutmeg oils.