The Nutritional Power of Dill: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

Regular consumption of cooked dill helps in improving the digestive system. It helps in serious conditions like constipation. Infants can be given one to two teaspoons of fresh dill leaves. It is also effective in relieving colic, hiccups, acidity and diarrhea. Honey and dill oil help in improving the condition of the stomach. This herb is used for children complaining of pain in the abdominal area.

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Dill is extremely helpful in regulating menstrual flow in young women. It is effective for those who complain of cramp-related pain. It is recommended to those who face problems in menstruation due to anemia.

A paste made from fresh dill leaves can be placed on ripe blood boils. It is helpful in preventing ulcers along with turmeric powder. It makes a very good paste if its seeds are mixed with sesame oil and applied on joints.

Dill is considered beneficial for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Its regular use increases the amount of breast milk. It also helps in preventing early ovulation.

Mix equal amounts of dill and fenugreek seeds and make a powder and fill it in a bottle. Take two teaspoons of powder with a glass of water twice a day to reduce high blood pressure.

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Its decoction is useful for sleep disorders. Prepare the decoction by boiling 2 teaspoons of seeds in a cup of water for a few minutes. Filter this decoction and consume it daily.

The calcium content of dill means that it is an important element to protect you from bone loss and loss of bone mineral density. Osteoporosis affects millions of people every year and calcium, along with other essential minerals, is a key component in the proper growth and development of bones which also repairs injured bones.

Dill is a great herb that can help control blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. Animal studies suggest that dill may be effective in regulating insulin levels in the body. Researchers have found that it may help reduce fluctuations of insulin levels and serum lipids, making it effective in controlling corticosteroid-induced diabetes. Dill extract reduces blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It also helps diabetics by boosting immunity and regulating thyroid functions. Due to these amazing benefits, dill is considered one of the best foods for people with type 1 diabetes.

Dill is known to strengthen your immune system. Dill has long been associated with antimicrobial activity and has been seen to prevent several microbial infections throughout the body. In ancient times, dill seeds were applied to wounds and burns to prevent infection.

Hiccups occur due to various reasons, but the main reason is due to trapped gas in the stomach. The second reason is due to some allergies, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity and nervousness. Dill can actually help in all these conditions. As a sedative, dill helps calm hiccups caused by allergies, hyperactivity or nervous disorders. Soya is a traditional remedy for hiccups. To get rid of the problem of hiccups, mix one teaspoon of fresh dill in boiling water and drink it after cooling it a little.

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Dill contains active ingredients like flavonoids and monoterpenes, which have cancer-fighting properties. Flavonoids have antioxidant effects that help fight free radicals and prevent cancer. Monoterpenes prevent cancer by activating the secretion of an enzyme called glutathione-S-transferase, which has the ability to neutralize carcinogens. It may also help eliminate certain types of carcinogens, such as benzopyrenes that are contained in charcoal grill smoke, cigarette smoke, and smoke produced by garbage collectors. It is also effective in neutralizing free radicals, thereby protecting the body from oxidative stress and DNA damage. Dill is thus a chemo-protective food and adding it to your regular diet can protect your body from cancer.