Dill

Alternative names: Anethum graveolens, Anethi Herba, Madhura, Sotapa

Well known as a culinary spice, Dill used to be a magic weapon against enchantments, and witchcraft. Used to cast out the clouds and lightnings, Dill was an important ingredient in love charms. Yesteryear brides believed that if they have mustard seeds and Dill leaves hidden in their shoes, at their wedding moment, they will have a compliant husband. At the same time, baths with Dill leaves were considered able to make you very attractive to the opposite sex. If ancient Greek and Roman cultures regarded Dill as a symbol of wealth, gladiators used Dill before battles as a reinvigorating elixir. Battle wounds were often healed with fried Dill seeds, due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Internally, Dill seeds are used in digestive disorders, especially for children, alleviating colic and intestinal gas and having a sedative effect. Other uses include the treatment of colds and cough, liver  and gallbladder problems, kidney complaints and difficult urination.

Women can use Dill tincture to regulate menstrual cycle, to reduce menstrual pain or to prolong biological youth, when approaching menopause. The cure lasts 21 days and requires 1 teaspoon of Dill tincture in half a glass of water, taken 3 times a day on an empty stomach.

Highly appreciated in diets, Dill roots (1 teaspoon to 1 liter of boiling water, infused for 5 minutes) stimulates toxin removal and favors weight loss.

In older times, Dill was used against plant ants by mixing dry Dill (60 g), garlic (50 g) and black pepper (50 g) and spreading the mixture around the strain of the affected plant.

In manufacture, Dill oil extract is used as a fragrance in soaps, perfumes and cosmetic products.