Anethum Graveolens (Dill)

Culinary aromatic used fresh (leaves) and as a spice (fruits). Traditional carminative/antispasmodic for bloating, dyspepsia, infant “gripe water;” galactagogue uses are described in folk medicine. (Modern clinical evidence is limited; see below

• Essential oil (fruit/leaf): rich in carvone and limonene; profiles may also include dill ether, α-phellandrene, dihydrocarvone, and dillapiole (percentages vary by plant part, cultivar, and origin).
• Non-volatile constituents: phenolics/flavonoids, coumarins, minerals, and small amounts of fixed oil. (Qualitative.)

• GI smooth-muscle effects: antispasmodic/carminative activity observed in preclinical models basis for traditional dyspepsia/colic uses.
• Metabolic signals: hypolipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects reported in animal studies and small human trials (likely multi-mechanistic: bile acid modulation, antioxidant effects).
• Antimicrobial/antioxidant: essential oil driven effects in vitro (organisms and potencies vary with chemotype)

1.Glycemic & Lipid Markers (adjunct use; early clinical evidence)

• Randomized, double-blind trial in type 2 diabetes (n=42): 3 g/day dill powder for 8 weeks improved fasting glucose and some lipid parameters vs. placebo; benefits modest and product-specific.
• RCT in metabolic-syndrome determinants (12 weeks): dill extract produced improvements in lipid profile in some endpoints; results heterogeneous.
• Systematic overviews stress the need for larger, well-controlled RCTs before firm conclusions. 2.Functional GI discomfort (traditional use; limited modern data)
• Historical use for bloating/flatulence is supported by preclinical antispasmodic data; contemporary human studies are sparse. Combination infant-colic products that include dill oil + fennel oil show signal in small trials but cannot isolate dill’s effect.

Not established: claims for lactation enhancement, broad antimicrobial therapy, or weight loss lack robust human evidence.

• Pregnancy: culinary amounts are acceptable, but avoid concentrated medicinal doses/essential oil due to traditional emmenagogue concerns and limited safety data.

Known Apiaceae spice allergy (celery–mugwort–spice syndrome): risk of cross-reactivity with dill

Generally well tolerated in food amounts.

• Allergy/sensitization: rare oral-allergy or contact reactions; carvone/limonene oxidation products may sensitize skin—use fresh, well-stored oils and proper dilution.

GI upset possible with large doses of extracts/oils.

• Antidiabetic drugs: potential additive glucose-lowering with dill supplements used for glycemic endpoints monitor glucose and adjust therapy as needed. BioMed Central
• Antihypertensives/lipid-lowering agents: human interaction data are lacking; consider monitoring if using standardized dill products targeting these markers.
• Allergy immunotherapy context: patients with pollen (e.g., mugwort/birch) related spice allergy may react to dill; coordinate with an allergist.

1.Dill powder 3 g/day improved glycemic and some lipid markers over 8 weeks: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7275438/

2.Cardiometabolic risk–factor review concludes more high-quality RCTs are needed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32188263/

3.Essential-oil composition reviews/chapters: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10974297/

4.Colic combinations in infants: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659398/

Dill is a culinary herb with a long GI carminative tradition. Its essential oil is carvone/limonene-rich, explaining aroma and much of the preclinical antispasmodic/antimicrobial activity. Early human trials suggest modest improvements in glycemic and lipid markers with standardized dill fruit powder/extracts, but larger, well-controlled studies are required before strong therapeutic claims. Culinary use is widely safe; avoid high-dose extracts/essential oil in pregnancy and in individuals with Apiaceae spice allergies. If used alongside glucose-lowering medications, monitor for additive effects.