Dill (Anethum graveolens) Research

Latin Name: Anethum graveolens

Family: Apiaceae

The dill plant is a diuretic that has shown to offer relief of menstrual pains. Studies have also demonstrated it may have a hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect.  It has also been used as a folk remedy for digestive issues and oral inflammation.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Natural Medicines.  (2017).  Dill Monograph.  Retrieved in February, 2018.  Retrieved from:  https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=463
• Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety.  Second Edition.  Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.
• Studies demonstrating anticancer, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic activities of dill are reviewed. From: Mohammed, F. A., Razvi, S. S., Abdul, W. M., Mohammed, K., Hakeem, K. R., Banaganapalli, B., … & Elkady, A. I. (2019). Protective Role of Medicinal Herb Anethum Graveolens (Dill) Against Various Human Diseases and Metabolic Disorders. In Plant and Human Health, Volume 3 (pp. 181-194). Springer, Cham.
• Dill has traditionally been used to alieve digestive upset, as a preservative, and as an insecticidal. It has shown in modern studies to have an antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, anti-ulcer, antioxidant, spasmolytic, and hepatoprotective effect. From: Jana, S., & Shekhawat, G. S. (2010). Anethum graveolens: An Indian traditional medicinal herb and spice. Pharmacognosy reviews, 4(8), 179.

SAFETY

• Essential oil and large quantities / extracts not appropriate during pregnancy.
  • Dill seed is used to encourage menstrual flow.  From: Natural Medicines Dill Monograph
  • Anethum graveolens extract increased infertility and newborn size in rats.  From:  Monsefi, M., Ghasemi, A., Alaee, S., & Aliabadi, E. (2015). Effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) on Oocyte and Fertility of Adult Female Rats. Journal of Reproduction & Infertility, 16(1), 10–17.
• Dill contains fourocoumarins that could be phototoxic when applied to the skin with sun exposure.  From:  Abraham, S., & Raghavan, P. (2015). Myths and Facts about Vitiligo: An Epidemiological Study. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77(1), 8–13.
• Instances of contact dermatitis have occurred.  From:  Monteseirín, J., Pérez-Formoso, J. L., Hérnandez, M., Sánchez-Hernández, M. C., Camacho, M. J., Bonilla, I., Chaparro, A. and Conde, J. (2003), Contact urticaria from dill. Contact Dermatitis, 48.
• Large amounts may interfere with certain medications including diabetic drugs and lithium; avoid pre-surgery.  From: Natural Medicines, 2017.
• May contain contamination including nitrates, iron, heavy metals including lead, herbicides, and pathogenic bacteria.  From: Natural Medicines, 2017.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTICANDIDA

• Dill (Anethum graveolens), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus dives) were tested.  Cilantro was particularly effective against Listeria monocytogenes, and strength and spectrum of inhibition by mixing of the fractions resulted in additive, synergistic effects against tested microorganisms.  From:  Delaquis, P. J., Stanich, K., Girard, B., & Mazza, G. (2002). Antimicrobial activity of individual and mixed fractions of dill, cilantro, coriander and eucalyptus essential oils. International journal of food microbiology, 74(1), 101-109.
• The following essential oils were tested against a variety of microbes in a variety of environments:  cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), basil (Ocimum basillicum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), dill (Anethum graveolens), and ginger (Zingiber officinalis).   From:  Lopez, P., Sanchez, C., Batlle, R., & Nerin, C. (2005). Solid-and vapor-phase antimicrobial activities of six essential oils: susceptibility of selected foodborne bacterial and fungal strains. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 53(17), 6939-6946.
• Spearmint and dill were effective against the bacteria Enterobacter cloacae with carvone and piperitone being active constituents.  From:  Rafii, F., & Shahverdi, A. R. (2006). Comparison of essential oils from three plants for enhancement of antimicrobial activity of nitrofurantoin against enterobacteria. Chemotherapy, 53(1), 21-25.
• At high doses and undiluted, coriander, fennel, peppermint, dill, fir, juniper, rosemary, and lavender were active against E. coli, S. aureus, and Candida albicans.  From:   Şerban, E. S., Ionescu, M. I. H. A. E. L. A., Matinca, D. O. I. N. A., Maier, C. S., & Bojiţă, M. T. (2011). Screening of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of eight volatile essential oils. Farmacia, 59(3), 440-446.
• Fennel and dill showed anticandidal and antimycobacterial properties.  From:  Abed, K. F. (2007). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of some medicinal plants from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 14(1), 53-60.
• Anethum graveolens (dill), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), and Trachyspermum ammi  (Ajowan caraway) showed antibacterial activity. From:  Kaur, G. J., & Arora, D. S. (2009). Antibacterial and phytochemical screening of Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare and Trachyspermum ammi. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 9(1), 1.
• Carvone and limonene isolated from spearmint and dill were active against a wide spectrum of human pathogenic fungi and bacteria tested.  From:  Aggarwal, K. K., Khanuja, S. P. S., Ahmad, A., Santha Kumar, T. R., Gupta, V. K., & Kumar, S. (2002). Antimicrobial activity profiles of the two enantiomers of limonene and carvone isolated from the oils of Mentha spicata and Anethum sowa. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 17(1), 59-63.
• The following plant extracts were tested for their antibacterial effect against common pathogens: Commiphora wightii, Hibiscus cannabinus, Anethum gravelons, Emblica officinalis, Ficus religiosa, Ficus racemosa, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus tisela, Mentha arvensis and Mimusops elengi. From: Nair, R., & CHANDA, S. (2007). Antibacterial activities of some medicinal plants of the western region of India. Turkish Journal of Biology, 31(4), 231-236.
• The following essential oils were tested and showed varying degrees of antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities: Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata, Lavandula officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum onites, O. vulgare, O. munitiflorum, O. majorana, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, and Satureja cuneifolia. From: Orhan, İlkay Erdoğan, et al. “Antimicrobial and antiviral effects of essential oils from selected Umbelliferae and Labiatae plants and individual essential oil components.” Turkish Journal of Biology 36.3 (2012): 239-246.
• Essential oils from Anethum graveolens, Azadirachta indica, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and leaves of Pongamia pinnata were effective against eleven pathogenic bacteria, but none were effective against Shigella spp. From: Chaurasia, S. C., & Jain, P. C. (1978). Antibacterial activity of essential oils of four medicinal plants. Indian J. Hosp. Pharm., 15(6), 166-168.
• Anethum graveolens, Elettaria cardamomum, Foeniculum vulgare, Trachyspermum ammi and Viola odorata were effective against tested pathogenic bacteria. From: Arora, D. S., & Kaur, G. J. (2007). Antibacterial activity of some Indian medicinal plants. Journal of natural medicines, 61(3), 313-317.
• Dill essential oil could be considered a natural antimicrobial, and an alternative source as a  natural antioxidant.  From:  Singh, G., Maurya, S., Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. (2005). Chemical constituents, antimicrobial investigations, and antioxidative potentials of Anethum graveolens L. essential oil and acetone extract: Part 52. Journal of food science, 70(4), M208-M215.

ANTI-PARASITE

• Extracts of dill administered to pediatric children significantly decreased the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia, comparable to the drug metronidazole.  From:  Sahib, A. S., Mohammed, I. H., & Sloo, S. A. (2014). Antigiardial effect of Anethum graveolens aqueous extract in children. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, 3(3), 109–112.

INSECTICIDAL / LARVICIDAL

• Thirteen oils from 41 plants (camphor, thyme, amyris, lemon, cedarwood, frankincense, dill, myrtle, juniper, black pepper, verbena, helichrysum and sandalwood) induced 100% mortality after 24 hours of mosquito larvae.  From:  Amer, A., & Mehlhorn, H. (2006). Larvicidal effects of various essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex larvae (Diptera, Culicidae). Parasitology research, 99(4), 466-472.
• Fumigant anti-termite activity was presented by ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), allspice (Pimenta dioica), caraway (Carum carvi), dill (Anethum graveolens), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and litsea (Litsea cubeba). From:  Seo, S. M., Kim, J., Lee, S. G., Shin, C. H., Shin, S. C., & Park, I. K. (2009). Fumigant antitermitic activity of plant essential oils and components from ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), allspice (Pimenta dioica), caraway (Carum carvi), dill (Anethum graveolens), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and litsea (Litsea cubeba) oils against Japanese termite (Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe). Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(15), 6596-6602

ANTIOXIDANT

• Chamomile (Matricaria aurea Schultz), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and dill (Anethum graveolens L) demonstrated antioxidant activities.  From:  Mohammad Al‐Ismail, K., & Aburjai, T. (2004). Antioxidant activity of water and alcohol extracts of chamomile flowers, anise seeds and dill seeds. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 84(2), 173-178.
• Basil, dill, and garden cress demonstrated antioxidant activity related to phenolic content.  From:  AYDEMIR, T., & Becerik, S. (2011). Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of different extracts from Ocimum basilicum, Apium graveolens and Lepidium sativum seeds. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 35(1), 62-79.
• Dill essential oil could be considered a natural antimicrobial, and an alternative source as a  natural antioxidant.  From:  Singh, G., Maurya, S., Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. (2005). Chemical constituents, antimicrobial investigations, and antioxidative potentials of Anethum graveolens L. essential oil and acetone extract: Part 52. Journal of food science, 70(4), M208-M215.

DIURETIC  ​

• Dill, carrot seed and rugela increased urine flow in dogs.  From:  Mahran, G. H., Kadry, H. A., Isaac, Z. G., Thabet, C. K., Al‐Azizi, M. M., & El‐Olemy, M. M. (1991). Investigation of diuretic drug plants. 1. Phytochemical screening and pharmacological evaluation of Anethum graveolens L., Apium graveolens L., Daucus carota L. and Eruca sativa mill. Phytotherapy Research, 5(4), 169-172.
• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a diuretic effect:  yarrow, lemon verbena, pineapple, dill, gorden asparagus, mugwort, oats, barberry, Indian tree, turnip, marigold, chicory, lemon, cucumber, pumpkin seed, quince, carrot, flix weed, horsetail, asafetida, fig, barely, St. John’s wort, bay, alfalfa, European pennyroyal, mulberry, water cress, catnip, black cumin, parsley, green bean, pistachio, cherry, pomegranate, purstane, savory, tomato, brinjal, tea, haritali, coltsfoot, nettle, bell bean, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

ANTICONVULSIVE

• Anethum graveolens showed anticonvulsant activity in mice.  From:  Golmohammadi, R., Sabaghzadeh, F., & Mojadadi, M. S. (2016). Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Anethum graveolens leaves on the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in the epileptic mice: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(3), 227–232.
• Anethum graveolens extracts reduced seizures in mice.  From:  Rostampour, M., Ghaffari, A., Salehi, P., & Saadat, F. (2014). Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Anethum Graveolens Seed on Pentylenetetrazol-induced Seizure in Adult Male Mice. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 5(3), 199–204.

ANTIDIABETIC

• This paper provided a summary of research for the use of dill in treating diabetes.  From:  Goodarzi, M. T., Khodadadi, I., Tavilani, H., & Abbasi Oshaghi, E. (2016). The Role of Anethum graveolens L. (Dill) in the Management of Diabetes. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2016, 1098916.
• In a randomized study of 91 hyperlipidemic patients, dill tablets over two months decreased total cholesterol more than the drug gemfibrozil with no reported side effects.  From:  Mirhosseini, M., Baradaran, A., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2014). Anethum graveolens and hyperlipidemia: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19(8), 758–761.

HYPOLIPIDEMIC / CHOLESTEROL

• In a double blind randomized placebo controlled study with 24 participants with metabolic syndrome, 12 weeks of taking a dill extract reduced triglyceride levels.   From:  Mansouri, M., Nayebi, N., Hasani-Ranjbar, S., Taheri, E., & Larijani, B. (2012). The effect of 12 weeks Anethum graveolens (dill) on metabolic markers in patients with metabolic syndrome; a randomized double blind controlled trial. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20(1), 47.
• In a study of 91 hyperlipidemic patients, taking dill for two months reduced cholesterol and triglycerides without side effects.  From:  Mirhosseini, M., Baradaran, A., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2014). Anethum graveolens and hyperlipidemia: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of research in medical sciences: the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19(8), 758.
• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a hypolipidemic effect:  yarrow, onion, garlic, dill, celery, burdock, oats, barberry, cabbage, chili pepper, safflower, chicory, chickpea, bitter orange, orange, guggul, coriander, cranberry, melon, pumpkin, artichoke, ginseng, eugenol, schelelecht, ginkgo, soy, walnut, apple, nutmeg, red yeast rice, miswak, evening primrose, basil, bulacy, orchis, avocado, plantain, blond plotitago, green bean, purslane, black cherry, pomegranate, milk thistle, brinjal, tomato, tamarind, thea, thyme, fenugreek, bilberry, grape, ginger, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).
• In this double-blind randomized clinical trail with 65 hyperlipidemic patients, taking a dill pearl for one month reduced lipids compared to the placebo. From: Kazemi, T., PANAHI, S. H., KASHANIAN, M., HOSSAINI, F. M., DARABI, M., & AKBARI, H. (2005). Effect of Dill pearl on serum lipids.

ORAL HEALTH

• In this randomized controlled, double blind parallel arm study 90 subjects used a dill seed oil mouth rinse or chlorhexidine mouth rinse for 90 days. The dill was just as effective as the chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and gingivitis. From: Eshwar, S., Rekha, K., Jain, V., Manvi, S., Kohli, S., & Bhatia, S. (2016). Suppl-1, M8: Comparison of Dill Seed Oil Mouth Rinse and Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse on Plaque Levels and Gingivitis-A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. The open dentistry journal, 10, 207.

MALE APHRODISIAC

• Dill extract increased sexual activity in male rats.  From:  Iamsaard, S., Prabsattroo, T., Sukhorum, W., Muchimapura, S., Srisaard, P., Uabundit, N., … Wattanathorn, J. (2013). Anethum graveolens Linn. (dill) extract enhances the mounting frequency and level of testicular tyrosine protein phosphorylation in rats . Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B, 14(3), 247–252.

DIGESTIVE AID

• In a study of 118 women who had received a cesarean section, an oral treatment containing dill essential oil taken every 20 minutes reduced flatulance and digestive tract pain over the placebo.  From:  Fazel, N., Pejhan, A., Taghizadeh, M., Tabarraei, Y., & Sharifi, N. (2017). Effects of Anethum graveolens L.(Dill) essential oil on the intensity of retained intestinal gas, flatulence and pain after cesarean section: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 8, 8-13.
• A high dose of dill extract reduced gastric irritation in vivo. From:   Hosseinzadeh, H., Karimi, G., & Ameri, M. (2002). Effects of Anethum graveolens L. seed extracts on experimental gastric irritation models in mice. BMC pharmacology, 2(1), 21.

MENSTRUAL PAIN

• A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial with 75 single female students showed dill powder was as effective as mefenamic acid in reducing the pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea. From:  Heidarifar, R., Mehran, N., Heidari, A., Tehran, H. A., Koohbor, M., & Mansourabad, M. K. (2014). Effect of Dill (Anethum graveolens) on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in compared with mefenamic acid: A randomized, double-blind trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19(4), 326–330.

SPASMOLYTIC

• Carvone and limonene showed involuntary muscle spasmolytic activity in vitro. From: de Sousa, D. P., Mesquita, R. F., de Araújo Ribeiro, L. A., & de Lima, J. T. (2015). Spasmolytic activity of carvone and limonene enantiomers. Natural product communications, 10(11), 1934578X1501001120.
• Dill extracts were spasmolytic on rat ileum. From: Naseri, M. G., & Heidari, A. (2007). Antispasmodic effect of Anethum graveolens fruit extract on rat ileum. Int J Pharmacol, 3, 260-264.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Dill extracts were hepatoprotective in vivo. From: Bahramikia, S., & Yazdanparast, R. (2007). Improvement of liver antioxidant status in hypercholesterolamic rats treated with anethum graveolens extracts. Pharmacol online, 3, 119-32.

ANTI-ULCER

• Dill extracts were ulcer-protective in vivo. From: Rifat-uz-Zaman, M. S., Akhtar, M. S., & Khan, M. S. (2004). Preliminary eva-luation of Anethum graveolens fruit in indomethacin-ulcer induced rats. Journal of Biological Sciences, 4(2), 151-156.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/12/19