Index
Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader.

Anethum graveolens - Common Dill

Family: Apiaceae [E-flora]

"Anethum graveolens is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. It is in leaf 11-May It is in flower from Apr to July, and the seeds ripen from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]

General: "Annual herb from a taproot; stems erect, glabrous, 0.3-1 (1.5) m tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Stem leaves compound, dissected into linear segments, 4-8 cm long; without well-defined leaflets; aromatic." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence terminal, flat-topped, of umbrella-like clusters; flowers yellow." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Numerous, 4 mm long, elliptic, strongly flattened crosswise with winged lateral ribs." [IFBC-E-flora]

Status: Exotic [E-flora]

Habitat / Range "Mesic to dry fields, roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC, known from SE Vancouver Island and the lower Fraser Valley; introduced from Asia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Fields, waste places etc in the Mediterranean[100]. W. Asia. Naturalized in Europe in the Mediterranean[100]." [PFAF]

Hazards

"Dill is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[218]. There are also reports that dill can cause photosensitivity and or dermatitis in some people[218]. Avoid dill oil during pregnancy." [PFAF] “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Contact photodermatosis possible as in most umbellifers. Fresh juice may possibly cause photodermatosis (PHR). We might extend to all apiaceous oils Bisset’s comments on celery seed oil, “The drug is contraindicated in inflammation of the kidneys,” since apiaceous EOs may increase the inflammation as a result of epithelial irritation (BIS). TRAMIL conservatively cautions for dill and fennel; contraindicated in women of reproductive age; limit dosage to 3 days (TRA)." [HMH Duke] "Photodermatosis is possible after contact with the juice of the freshly harvested plant." [PDR]

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Uses

"The medicinal part is the seed, the fresh or dried leaves and the upper stem." [PDR]

Select Indications (Dill) — Anorexia (2; APA; PHR); Aposteme (f; CRC; JLH); Bacteria (2; APA; KOM; PH2; TRA; ZUL); Cancer (1; CRC; JLH; TRA); Cancer, abdomen (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, anus (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, colon (fCRC; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, mouth (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, throat (f; CRC; JLH); Colic (1; CRC; PNC; ZUL); Cough (2; APA; CRC; PHR); Cramp (2; APA; KOM; PHR; PH2; TRA); Dyspepsia (2; APA; CRC; KOM); Enterosis (2; APA; PHR; PH2); Gas (1; JFM; PNC; TRA; ZUL); Gastrosis (1; APA; PHR; PH2; TRA); Halitosis (1; APA; PH2); Hemorrhoid (1; APA; CRC); High Blood Pressure (1; APA; FNF; TRA); Induration (f; CRC; JLH); Infection (2; APA; PHR; TRA); Insomnia (2; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2; TRA); Mastosis (f; CRC; JLH); Nephrosis (f; APA; PH2); Stomachache (f; APA; CRC; JFM); Tumor (1; CRC; TRA); Urethrosis (1; APA; PH2); UTI (f; APA; PHR); Water Retention (1; APA; CRC; JFM); [HMH Duke]

"Dosages (Dill) — Chew 1/2–1 tsp seed (APA); 2 tsp crushed seed/cup water (APA); 3 g seed (KOM; PHR); 0.3–1 ml concentrated dill water (PNC); 0.1–0.3 g EO (KOM; PHR); 0.05–2 ml (I’d have said 0.05–0.2) EO (PNC); cf celery seed, close kin (PNC)" [HMH Duke] "Mode of Administration: Whole seeds and crushed fruits are used to make teas and other galenic preparations for internal application." [PDR] "Daily Dosage: The average daily dosage of the seeds is 3 gm; essential oil daily dose is 0.1 to 0.3 gm." [PDR]

Phytochemicals

Chemicals in: Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae) -- Dill, Garden Dill [DukePhyt]

  • 1,4-TERPINENOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 1,5-CINEOLE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 1-METHYL-4-ISOPROPENYL-BENZENE Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • 2-NONANOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 3,6-DIMETHYL-2,3,4,5,8,9-HEXAHYDROBENZOFURAN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 3,6-DIMETHYL-3A,4,5,7A-TETRAHYDROCOUMARAN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • 3,6-DIMETHYLCOUMARAN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 3,7-DIMETHYL-4,5,6,9-TETRAHYDROCOUMARAN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • 4-ALPHA-DIMETHYLSTYRENE Root: DUKE1992A
  • 6,7-DIHYDRO-8,8,DIMETHYL-2H,8H-BENZO-(1,2B:5,4')-DIPYRAN-2,6-DIONE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 6-OCTADECENOIC-ACID Plant: DUKE1992A
  • 7-OCTADECENOIC-ACID Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA,ALPHA-BETA-TRIMETHYLBENZYL-ALCOHOL Root: DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA-LINOLENIC-ACID Fruit 1,500 - 1,624 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA-PINENE Fruit 24 - 1,001 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA-TERPINEOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA-THUJENE Fruit 36 - 231 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL Leaf 16 - 147 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ALUMINUM Plant 4 - 210 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ANETHOLE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ANISIC-ALDEHYDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • APIOLE Root: DUKE1992A
  • ARGINASE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ARGININE Fruit 12,630 - 13,678 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ARSENIC Plant 0.01 - 0.06 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ASCORBIC-ACID Plant 1,440 ppm; DUKE1992A
  • ASH Fruit 64,000 - 84,000 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 26,000 - 205,880 ppm DUKE1992A
  • BENZYL-ETHER Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BERGAPTEN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-ELEMENE Fruit 12 - 77 ppm DUKE1992A
  • BETA-MYRCENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-PHELLANDRENE Fruit 168 - 1,925 ppm DUKE1992A Root 168 - 1,925 ppm DUKE1992A
  • BETA-PINENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-SITOSTEROL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-SITOSTEROL-GLUCOSIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-SITOSTEROL-GLYCOSIDE Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • BETA-TERPINEOL Fruit: DUKE1992A Plant: DUKE1992A
  • BORON Plant 4 - 35 ppm DUKE1992A Seed 28 - 50 ppm DUKE1992A
  • BROMINE Plant 1 - 6 ppm DUKE1992A
  • BUTYL-PHTHALIDE Root: DUKE1992A
  • CADMIUM Plant 0.02 - 1 ppm DUKE1992A
  • CAFFEIC-ACID Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • CALCIUM Fruit 14,003 - 17,671 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 1,900 - 21,453 ppm DUKE1992A
  • CAMPHENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • CAMPHOR Root: DUKE1992A
  • CARBOHYDRATES Fruit 551,700 - 597,491 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 558,200 - 602,000 ppm DUKE1992A
  • CAROTENOIDS Leaf 465 ppm; DUKE1992A
  • CARVACROL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • CARVONE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • CARVOTANACETONE Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • CHLOROGENIC-ACID Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • CHROMIUM Plant 0.01 - 0.29 ppm DUKE1992A
  • CINEOLE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • CIS-CARVEOL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • CIS-DIHYDROCARVONE Fruit 36 - 12,782 ppm DUKE1992A
  • COBALT Plant 0.002 - 0.29 ppm DUKE1992A
  • COPPER Fruit 8 ppm; DUKE1992A Plant 1.7 - 17 ppm DUKE1992A
  • D-(+)-CARVONE Fruit 5,196 - 37,653 ppm DUKE1992A
  • D-(+)-DIHYDROCARVONE Fruit 168 - 1,925 ppm DUKE1992A
  • D-(+)-LIMONENE Fruit 3,972 - 31,416 ppm DUKE1992A
  • D-ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE Fruit 516 - 7,469 ppm DUKE1992A
  • DECANAL Fruit 24 - 154 ppm DUKE1992A
  • DELTA-5,6-OCTADECENOIC-ACID Plant: DUKE1992A
  • DIHYDROCARVEOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • DILLANOSIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • DILLAPIOLE Fruit 1,440 - 40,425 ppm DUKE1992A
  • DIPENTENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • EICOSANE Root: DUKE1992A
  • ELEMICIN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • EO Fruit 12,000 - 77,000 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 5,600 - 15,000 ppm DUKE1992A Root 300 - 500 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ESCULETIN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • EUGENOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • FAT Fruit 68,000 - 180,200 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 43,000 - 47,000 ppm DUKE1992A
  • FERULIC-ACID Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • FIBER Fruit 177,230 - 264,869 ppm DUKE1992A Leaf 119,300 - 128,000 ppm DUKE1992A
  • FLAVONE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • FLUORINE Plant 0.1 - 5.3 ppm DUKE1992A
  • FURFURAL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • GAMMA-PINENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • GAMMA-SITOSTEROL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • GAMMA-TERPINENE Fruit 12 - 77 ppm DUKE1992A
  • GERANIOL Fruit 24 - 154 ppm DUKE1992A
  • HEXADECANE Root: DUKE1992A
  • HISTIDINE Fruit 3,200 - 3,466 ppm DUKE1992A
  • IRON Fruit 114 - 230 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 23 - 755 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ISOEUGENOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ISOLEUCINE Fruit 7,670 - 8,307 ppm DUKE1992A
  • ISORHAMNETIN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • ISORHAMNETIN-3-GLUCURONIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • KAEMPFEROL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • KAEMPFEROL-3-GLUCURONIDE Leaf: DUKE1992A
  • LAURIC-ACID Fruit 100 - 108 ppm DUKE1992A
  • LEAD Plant 0.05 - 0.8 ppm DUKE1992A
  • LEUCINE Fruit 9,250 - 10,018 ppm DUKE1992A
  • LIMONENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • LINALOL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • LINOLEIC-ACID Fruit 9,600 - 10,397 ppm DUKE1992A
  • LUTEOLIN-7-GLUCOSIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • LYSINE Fruit 10,380 - 11,242 ppm DUKE1992A
  • MAGNESIUM Fruit 2,449 - 2,893 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 560 - 6,470 ppm DUKE1992A
  • MANGANESE Fruit 18 ppm; DUKE1992A Plant 8 - 435 ppm DUKE1992A
  • MERCURY Plant 0.003 - 0.06 ppm DUKE1992A
  • METHIONINE Fruit 1,430 - 1,549 ppm DUKE1992A
  • METHYL-BENZOATE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • METHYL-CHAVICOL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • MOLYBDENUM Plant: DUKE1992A
  • MYRCENE Fruit 84 - 924 ppm DUKE1992A
  • MYRISTIC-ACID Fruit 100 - 108 ppm DUKE1992A
  • MYRISTICIN Fruit: DUKE1992A Root: DUKE1992A
  • NEOCNIDOLIDE Root: DUKE1992A
  • NIACIN Fruit 28 - 30 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 28 - 30 ppm DUKE1992A
  • NICKEL Plant 0.1 - 4.7 ppm DUKE1992A
  • NITROGEN Plant 6,800 - 55,300 ppm DUKE1992A
  • NONADECANE Root: DUKE1992A
  • NONANAL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • OCTANOL Root: DUKE1992A
  • OLEIC-ACID Fruit 93,600 - 101,369 ppm DUKE1992A
  • P-CYMENE Fruit 336 - 3,773 ppm DUKE1992A
  • PALMITIC-ACID Fruit 5,800 - 6,281 ppm DUKE1992A
  • PALMITOLEIC-ACID Fruit 500 - 542 ppm DUKE1992A
  • PARAFFIN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • PENTADECANE Root: DUKE1992A
  • PETROSELINIC-ACID-TRIGYLCERIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • PHENYLALANINE Fruit 6,700 - 7,256 ppm DUKE1992A
  • PHOSPHORUS Fruit 2,102 - 3,723 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 600 - 7,625 ppm DUKE1992A
  • POTASSIUM Fruit 10,680 - 14,122 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 8,700 - 76,450 ppm DUKE1992A
  • PROTEIN Fruit 147,680 - 226,000 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 199,600 - 216,000 ppm DUKE1992A
  • QUERCETIN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • QUERCETIN-3-0-RUTINOSIDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • QUERCETIN-3-GLUCURONIDE Leaf: DUKE1992A
  • QUERCITRIN Plant: DUKE1992A
  • RIBOFLAVIN Fruit 3 ppm; DUKE1992A Plant 3 ppm; DUKE1992A
  • RUBIDIUM Plant 1.1 - 28 ppm DUKE1992A
  • SABINENE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • SAFROLE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • SALICALDEHYDE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • SCOPOLETIN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • SELENIUM Plant 0.001 - 0.012 ppm DUKE1992A
  • SENKYUNOLIDE Root: DUKE1992A
  • SILICON Plant 30 - 700 ppm DUKE1992A
  • SODIUM Fruit 158 - 262 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 1,097 - 3,308 ppm DUKE1992A
  • STEARIC-ACID Fruit 1,000 - 1,083 ppm DUKE1992A
  • STIGMASTEROL Plant: DUKE1992A
  • SULFUR Plant 1,400 - 11,175 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TANNINS Plant: DUKE1992A
  • TERPINEN-4-OL Fruit 12 - 77 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TETRADECANE Root: DUKE1992A
  • TETRAHYDROCOUMARANE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • THIAMIN Fruit 4 - 5 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 4 - 5 ppm DUKE1992A
  • THREONINE Fruit 5,750 - 6,227 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TRANS-ANETHOLE Fruit 12 - 539 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TRANS-CARVEOL Fruit 42 - 270 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TRANS-DIHYDROCARVONE Fruit 24 - 154 ppm DUKE1992A
  • TRIDECENE Root: DUKE1992A
  • UMBELLIFERONE Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • UMBELLIPRENIN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • UREASE Plant: DUKE1992A
  • VALINE Fruit 11,200 - 12,130 ppm DUKE1992A
  • VICENIN Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • WATER Fruit 70,310 - 83,690 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 73,000 - 830,000 ppm DUKE1992A
  • XANTHOPHYLL Fruit: DUKE1992A
  • Z-LIGUSTILIDE Root: DUKE1992A
  • ZINC Fruit 43 - 66 ppm DUKE1992A Plant 11 - 150 ppm DUKE1992A

Seed and Pericarp
Mass of 1,000, g: 2.2 [1]
Oil, % dry wt: 9.9 (1), 6.8 (2) [1]
FAs: 18:1 (6)–45.0 [2][LEOVP]

In dill weed (Anethum graveolens L.) the content on essential oil rises from 0.1% only in young sprouts to more than 1% in herb with milk ripe umbels (Gora et al., 2002). In the herb, oil a-phellandrene prevails until the beginning of f owering with up to 50%, followed by dill ether, p-cymene, and limonene. The oil from green as well as ripe umbels contains, on the other hand, mainly (S)-carvone and (R)-limonene. The f avor of dill oil changes therefore dramatically, which has to be considered when determining the harvest time for distillation.[CRC HEO]

Common Dill – Anethum graveolens [218]

Part: Leaves Per 100 g fresh weight
Food Energy (Kcal) 253 Ash (g) 12.6 Potassium (mg) 3308
Water (g) 7.2% Thiamine (mg) 0.42 Magnesium (mg) 451
Protein (g) 20 Riboflavin (mg) 0.28 Calcium (mg) 1784
Fat (g) 4.4 Niacin (mg) 2.8 Phosphorus (mg) 543
Carbohydrate (g) 55.8 Vitamin C (mg) - Sodium (mg) 208
Crude Fiber (g) 11.9 Vitamin A (RE) - Iron (mg) 48.8
Zinc (mg) 3.3 Manganese (mg) 451 Copper (mg) -
Part: Seeds Per 100 g fresh weight
Food Energy (Kcal) 305 Ash (g) 6.7 Potassium (mg) 1,186
Water (g) 7.7 Thiamine (mg) 0.42 Magnesium (mg) 256
Protein (g) - Riboflavin (mg) 0.28 Calcium (mg) 1,516
Fat (g) 14.5 Niacin (mg) - Phosphorus (mg) 277
Carbohydrate (g) 55.2 Vitamin C (mg) - Sodium (mg) 20
Crude Fiber (g) 21 Vitamin A (IU) 53 Iron (mg) 16.3
Zinc (mg) 5.2 Manganese (mg) - Copper (mg) -


Herb
Volatile oil (0.5 to 1.5%): chief constituents are carvone, dill apiole, (+) limonene [PDR]
Phthalides [PDR]

Seed
Volatile oil (2.5 to 4.0%): chief constituents are carvone (approximately 50%), dill apiole, (+) — limonene [PDR]
Phtalides [PDR]
Fatty oil [PDR]
Furanocoumarins: including bergaptene [PDR]
Hydroxycoumarins: including umbelliferone [PDR]

"Activities (Dill) — Antibacterial (2; APA; KOM; PH2; TRA; ZUL); Antiseptic (1; ZUL); Antispasmodic (2; APA; KOM; PH2; TRA); Antitumor (1; TRA); Aperitif (f; APA); Cardiodepressant (1; APA); Carminative (1; JFM; PNC; ZUL); Detergent (f; CRC); Digestive (f; CRC); Diuretic (1; APA; CRC; JFM); Fungicide (1; TRA); Hypoglycemic (1; TRA); Hypotensive (1; APA; FNF; TRA); Insectifuge (1; ZUL); Lactagogue (1; APA; CRC; JFM; TRA); Laxative (f; CRC); Myorelaxant (1; APA); Narcotic (f; CRC); Psychedelic (f; CRC); Respirastimulant (f; APA); Sedative (1; TRA); Soporific (f; JFM); Stimulant (f; CRC); Stomachic (1; PNC; ZUL); Vasodilator (1; TRA)" [HMH Duke]

Cultivation & Propagation

"Days to Germination: 21 to 25 days at 600F to 70 0F (160C to 21 0C) When to Plant: Direct-seeding, as early in spring as the ground can be worked, works best with dill, and you can plant it either in spring or fall."[NSSH Bubel]

"How to Plant: Sow the seeds one every inch or so. Thin the feathery seedlings to 4 to 6 inches apart for use as greens and 10 to 12 inches apart for seed production. I like to make one or two extra plantings during the season for a continuous supply of the tender thready leaves that are so good snipped on potatoes or fish. Dill seeds need light to germinate, so they shouldn’t be covered with more than a light dusting of garden sometimes beat those we’ve hand-sown."[NSSH Bubel]

"Growing Conditions: Dill grows well under a wide variety of conditions, as long as it is reasonably free of weeds."[NSSH Bubel]

Synonyms
Peucedanum graveolens.

References


Anethum Sp.

1 sp. (Latin: dill) [Jepson]

Local Species;

  1. Anethum graveolens - Common Dill [E-flora]

References


Page last modified on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 9:40 AM