Medieval Europe could not grow it fast enough for love potions, casting spells and for protection against witchcraft. “Therewith her Veruayne and her Dill, That hindreth Witches of their will“ (Drayton, Nymphidia, 1627) . Carrying a bag of dried dill over the heart was considered protection against hexes. The seed is light brown, winged and oval, with one side flat, with two ridges. The other side is convex with three ridges and three oil channels. Seeds are about 3.5 mm (0.15 in) long. The leaves and stalks are aromatic and are used fresh or for pickling.

Smell: aromatic and somewhat sweet
Flavour: aromatic and slightly bitter, similar to caraway
Hotness Scale:1

Preparation and Storage

Seeds can be used whole or crushed in a mill or coffee grinder. The dried seeds keep indefinitely when kept out of sunlight in an airtight container.

Health Benefits of Dill

Dill seeds contain carvone as an essential oil. Dill is considered caminative, stomachic and slightly stimulant. Dill water is given to children for digestive problems. Also it “destroyeth the hiccups”.

Other Names

Dill Seed, Dilly, Garden Dill

French: aneth
German: Dill
Italian: aneto
Spanish: éneldo
Indian: surva
Lao: phak si

Scientific Name

Anethum graveolens syn: Peucedanum graveolens