This is an aromatic herb that is grown all over the world. It's often used as a cooking spice. In Greece, people once placed dill over their eyes to help them fall asleep. Ancient documents from Egypt call for dill to be used as a pain reliever. In witchcraft, Dill has been used to prevent thunder and clear storms. This was done by burning the plant.

Dill is an aromatic annual plant. It grows to about 30in.(75cm) high. The leaves of the plant are feathery and it flowers with yellow buds. It is picked in the summer for use in cooking.

Varieties/other names- Garden dill, dilly, dill seed, dill weed

Parts used- seeds, essential oil, leaves

Cultivation- Dill are grown from seed. Directly sow seeds into your garden in the spring. Sow seeds early in the season, and cover lightly with soil. Space seedlings or thin plants to 9in.(22cm) apart, in rows 12in.(30cm) apart. Dill is easy to grow. They prefer full sun and a well-drained soil. They will do well in average soils, and tolerate dry soil conditions. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Add an organic general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a season.


 

 

 

Uses - Dill has a refreshing aroma and delicious tang, either fresh or dried. Snip fresh leaves into soups and salads. Dill is very popular in cucumber dishes, dips and sour cream, fish and vinaigrettes. The seeds are a must for homemade pickling. Dill seeds are also the main ingredients in curry powder.

Dill tea is popular for controlling flatulence. Make the tea by adding 1-2 teaspoons of dried seeds to boiling water. Let it steep for several minutes. Chewing a few Dill seeds will freshen your breath. Dill has also been used for colic in children.

Dill weed is primarily a remedy for digestive problems. Dill weed is an antispasmodic that relieves cramping and relieves stomach pain. The diuretic properties of dill can help to relieve symptoms associated with cough and cold. Dill can help to reduce the pain of menstruation. It also increases breast milk production. In addition, when nursing mothers use dill they can reduce the symptoms of colic in their babies.