Dill seeds (Anethum graveoles) are the seeds that belong the dill herbs of the Apiaceae family of celeries. In addition, it is the only known species within the genus Anethum. Dills are home to Eurasia. Consequently, Eurasia is also where dills are mostly used, be it as a spice or herb for food flavouring.
Dills could be considered as a perennial or an annual herb, depending on where it is cultivated.
Nonetheless, dills are recommended to be grown during summer or in hot weather. These are some other information on dills, the seeds, plus the health benefits of dill seeds when breastfeeding.
An Introduction to Dills
Dills grow in between 40 to 60 centimetres tall with slender yet hollow stems and delicate long leaves that measure 10 to 20 centimetres long and 1 to 2 millimetres wide. In the meantime, dill flowers are white to yellow, with diameters reaching somewhere in between2 to 9 centimetres.
In real life, the leaves or seeds of dills could be used, seen from the cultural usage of these for culinary or medicinal purposes over more than a hundred years ago.
Nutritional Facts of Dills
- Serving Size – 100 g
- Calories – 305
- Total Fat – 15 g (23% of DV)
- Saturated Fat – 0.7 g (3% of DV)
- Polyunsaturated Fat – 1 g (0% of DV)
- Monounsaturated Fat – 9 g (0% of DV)
- Cholesterol – 0 mg (0% of DV)
- Sodium – 20 mg (0% of DV)
- Potassium – 1,186 mg (33% of DV)
- Total Carbohydrate – 55 mg (18% of DV)
- Dietary Fibre – 21 mg (84% of DV)
- Protein – 16 g (32% of DV)
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A – 1%
- Vitamin B6 – 15%
- Vitamin B12 – 0%
- Vitamin C – 35%
- Vitamin D – 0%
- Calcium – 151%
- Iron – 90%
- Magnesium – 64%
All the information above are in relation to a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentage of daily value (% of DV) may differ depending on personal calorie needs.
What are its Health Benefits?
- Dill Seeds Help Reducing Menstrual Cramps
A study conducted by Thailand’s Khon Kaen University Department of Biostatics and Demography observed at dill’s effect on women aged early-20s suffering from menstrual cramps. Dill was also observed along with chamomile, cinnamon, fenugreek, ginger, guava, rhubarb, uzara, rose, fennel, valerian, zataria, as well as 5 forms of non-herbal supplements, comprising of vitamins B1 and E, melatonin, zinc sulphate and fish oil. Despite resulting in only moderate results, however dill remains potential in reducing menstrual cramps in one way or another. These are the health benefits of dill pickles juice.
- Dill Seeds are Antidepressants
Depression is a common issue among teenagers and adults at this modern era. Dill is regarded as a natural remedy for antidepressants, due to it containing no adverse effects. These are the health benefits of dill leaves.
- Dill Seeds Lead to Cholesterol Reduction
Dill seeds also turn out to be successful in reducing cholesterol. This was proven through a study, in which patients who did receive dill treatment for a month had the lipid profile, blood glucose as well as enzymes on the liver significantly decreased. These are the health benefits dill seeds.
- Dill Seeds are Able to Treat Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity inside the brain suffers from disruption that leads to seizures. It may happen due to previous trauma as in accidents or genetics. Epilepsy is pretty frightening to the patient or the surrounding people because of its unpredictable nature.
Many medications have been invented to treat epilepsy, however most of them turn out to have unfavourable outcomes. Dills are traditionally used to treat epilepsy effectively due to its strong anticonvulsant properties. These are the health benefits of dill essential oil.
- Dill Seeds Contain Beneficial Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats that doubles as major sources of energy, and most food contain it through the form of triacylglycerol. Fatty acids are important because our body cannot produce it, thus the only way of getting it is through oral intake. These are the health benefits fresh dill.
- Dill Seeds are Antimicrobial
Dill seeds have been researched and proven over the decades for its antimicrobial activities. The essential oil of dill has been proven to be effective against some bacteria and fungal strains, such as by halting the development of Fusarium graminearum that affects wheat and barley, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Dill Seeds Manage Diabetes
Dill seeds are long known for its ability in managing diabetes, as well as insulin levels. Strangely, there is limited information to prove the potentials of dill seeds in doing this. However, one previous study indicated that dill seeds reduce the fluctuations of insulin plus serum lipids in diabetes that is induced with corticosteroid, or the compound inside medicines used to treat inflammation.
- Dill Seeds Improve the Production and Flow of Mother’s Milk
This is the final health benefit that also answers the topic to this article. Dill seeds improve the production as well as the flow of mother’s milk because it contains a compound called d-carvone. Aside from dills, carvone is also prevalent on other essential oils such as those made from spearmint (Mentha spicata), or caraway (Carum carvi).
Dosage
The precise dose of dill relies on several factors of the consumer, such as the age, health conditions, and more. Unfortunately, there is no information on standard dosage for dill seeds. It is wise for one to refer to the directions as written in the packaging, or consult a medical expert first before using.
Side Effects
Dill seeds could possess risks to pregnant women, because it may trigger menstruation therefore posing danger to the fetus by leading into miscarriage. Dill seeds may also be unsafe for anyone who is allergic to the carrot family, which also includes caraway, carrot, celery as well as coriander.