Did you know that a tablespoon of dill has more calcium than a third of a cup of milk. Dill also contains fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals. Dill does not contain sugar and it does not have cholesterol.

It does have carbs and there is dietary fiber in dill. Also dill has approximately 154 percent of the daily amount of Vitamin A that is needed by the body. It has 142 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C that is needed among other vitamins and minerals. DILL ROCKS 🙂

Dill is an herb that can be used in many different types of foods. It can be used in anything from soup to eggs to mashed potatoes. Dill also tastes great and can be added to just about any dish to give it some flavor.

Dill was first used in the Mediterranean and is popular in West Africa as well. Dill is part of the carrot family and makes a great addition to a garden. It has a piquant fragrance many find refreshing.

Dill is easy to grow at home. The seeds will grow quickly and it needs little care. The dill does need six to eight hours of sun. Be careful of the high winds as this can knock the plant down. Dill grows well indoors.

Fresh dill has a strong smell and they grow in bouquets. They are ready to use within a couple weeks of planting and they can be dried and saved. Dill seeds look like a tiny yellow flower when the herb is ready. The head of the flower can be dried and kept in a paper bag.

Dill Health Benefits

Dill dates back to the times of the Bible. It has been used by the ancient Egyptians for many different medical purposes. A teaspoon of dill is mixed with boiling water and it can be used to help babies with colic, help soothe nerves, help ease an upset stomach, and dill can even help a person go to sleep. The seeds can be used to help freshen the breath, to promote milk development in mothers that are nursing, and to help with menstrual cramps.

A person needs less than an ounce of dill to see the benefits. An ounce of dill has almost half of the body’s daily need of Vitamin A and 40 percent of the Vitamin C the body needs. There are also other vitamins and minerals that are found in the dill.

Dill is also loaded with calcium. A tablespoon of dill has more calcium than a third of a cup of milk. Dill also contains fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other compounds. There are also flavonoids that are found in the dill.

The oils of the dill are even able to fight off harmful bacteria and will help protect the body against developing cancer. Dill is high in antioxidants as well and these antioxidants can help kill free radicals and other daily toxins.

Dill Studies

Studies have found that dill contains three different monoterpenes, anethofuran, carvone, and limonene which can help the body fight off toxins. The oil from the dill seeds has natural antifungal properties.

Dill is able to kill the bacteria because it contains an enzyme called the glutathione S transferase. This will help attract the glutathione in a molecule and allow it to oxidize. This will help prevent damage to the cell. There is an oil known as Volatile Oil in the dill that is considered to be chemoprotective.

Nutritional Information on Dill

Dill is good for the body and is very healthy. The serving size for dill is around 3.5 ounces but many people do not need that much dill. They can find dill in this amount a little over powdering but dill does have many health benefits. This amount of dill has only 43 calories and it has one gram of fat.

There is no saturated fat found in dill. Dill does not contain sugar and it does not have cholesterol. Dill does have 7 grams of carbs. There are 2 grams of dietary fiber in dill. Dill also 154 percent of the daily amount of Vitamin A that is needed by the body. It has 142 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C that is needed among other vitamins and minerals.

Fun Facts About Dill

It was said that Charlemagne used dill for guests that may have consumed too much food or drink. It was also said that Hippocrates used dill for oral purposes.

Dill is an herb that has been used for centuries to help get better health. Dill is used for many purposes besides just seasoning foods. Dill can be used in dips, salads, and can be used for healing. Dill has been used by the Egyptians and has been used to treat things from an upset stomach to a baby with colic.

Modern medicine is also taking a look at dill. Dill is high in many vitamins including Vitamins C, A, B6. Dill also contains a good amount of calcium, fiber, iron, folate, and manganese.

Dill has compounds that can kill bacteria and can even help the body fight off cancer. Dill also contains the compounds flavonoids kaempferol and vicenin which are used to help the body health in a natural manner.

Dill is easy to grow and grows well even indoors. It can be used as an inside potted plant or outside as part of an herb garden. Dill can also be purchased fresh or dried for the local grocery store. Dill can be added salads, soups, and many other dishes. Dill can add a good flavor to food and it will help a person get better health as well.

Source: Readers digest The complete Illustrated Book of Herbs

National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs