Plant Comparison
Dill vs Cardamom
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Dill and Cardamom: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, cardiovascular / heart health, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Dill | Cardamom | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Bloating | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Cardiovascular / heart health | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Indigestion | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Infection (general) | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Inflammation (general) | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Skin irritation | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Wounds | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Seed essential oil dominated by the monoterpene ketone carvone and limonene, giving dill its characteristic aroma and much of its carminative and antimicrobial activity.
Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolics identified in metabolomic analysis of leaf and seed extracts.
Seed essential oil dominated by 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpinyl acetate, giving the characteristic aroma and much of the carminative, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Additional antioxidant constituents of the seed.
Pharmacological Actions
Anethum graveolens (dill) extract and essential oil induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Anethum graveolens (dill) extract induces ROS-mediated apoptosis in HT-144 melanoma cells, and its essential oil is selectively cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic against A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells (preclinical).
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Widely used as a food herb/spice; WHO monograph notes a “generally regarded as safe” status as a flavouring agent (World Health Organization, 2007). Allergic reactions (including oral itching, swelling, urticaria, vomiting/diarrhoea) are reported; avoid if you react to Apiaceae-family plants (World Health Organization, 2007; Egyptian Drug Authority, n.d.).
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for dill's antibacterial and antispasmodic activities, consistent with Commission E and PhEur approvals. Traditional uses include management of colic, dyspepsia, and flatulence. The plant is a well-documented lactagogue (promotes milk production) and has a mild hypotensive effect. Dose: 1–3 g seeds as tea three times daily. Dill is generally safe (++) with no known significant contraindications at culinary and medicinal doses (Duke, 2002).
Cardamom is generally considered safe for most people when used in culinary amounts. At medicinal doses (supplement form), rare side effects include mild gastrointestinal discomfort and allergic reactions. There are no well-documented serious drug interactions at culinary doses. Cardamom may mildly lower blood pressure — caution if combined with antihypertensive medications. Some sources suggest potential gallstone formation with very high doses, as cardamom may stimulate bile flow. Avoid therapeutic doses during pregnancy until more safety data are available; culinary use is considered safe. Allergy to other Zingiberaceae (ginger, turmeric) may indicate cross-reactivity risk (Korikanthimath and Hiremath, 2002).
Duke (2002) provides clinical support (score 2) for cardamom as a cholagogue, antiviral agent, and appetite stimulant. Commission E and the German PDR (PHR) approve it for loss of appetite and bronchitis (score 2). The essential oil shows antispasmodic and carminative activity. Dose: 1.5 g ground fruit or equivalent preparation three times daily. Duke rates cardamom as generally safe (++), with no significant contraindications at therapeutic doses (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic annual herb with a slender, hollow, ridged, blue-green stem. The leaves are finely divided into thread-like segments, feathery and soft, similar to fennel but more delicate. Small yellow flowers are borne in flat, wide compound umbels at the stem tips in summer, ripening into flattened, ridged, aromatic seeds (fruits).[1]
Large, rhizomatous perennial herb with tall, reed-like leafy stems (pseudostems) formed by overlapping leaf sheaths, arising from a stout underground rhizome. Small, pale flowers with a violet-veined white lip are borne on separate trailing panicles that grow along the ground from the base of the plant. The fruit is a small, ridged, pale green three-sided capsule (the cardamom pod) containing numerous dark, aromatic seeds.[1]
Habitat
Believed native to the eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia and southern Russia; widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb in gardens and fields across Europe, Asia and the Americas.[1]
Native to the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of southern India and Sri Lanka; cultivated in warm, humid, shaded tropical conditions, notably in India, Guatemala and Sri Lanka.[1]
Harvesting
Leaves are picked fresh through the growing season; the seeds are harvested in late summer once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed and dried further before storage.
The unripe green pods are hand-picked just before full maturity, then carefully dried (traditionally in the shade or by gentle heat) to preserve the green colour and aromatic oil; the pods are typically used whole or the seeds removed and ground just before use.
Traditional Uses
Dill seed and leaf have a long culinary-medicinal history as a carminative digestive remedy for colic, dyspepsia and flatulence, and as a traditional lactagogue (galactagogue) to support breastfeeding; dill water ('gripe water') is a classic infant remedy for colic.[1]
Cardamom has a long Ayurvedic, Middle Eastern and Asian tradition as a warming digestive carminative for indigestion and bloating, a remedy for respiratory complaints such as asthma and bronchitis, and a valued spice for tea, coffee and cooking.[1]
Preparations
Crushed pods or seeds infused in hot water, or added to tea/coffee, as a traditional carminative digestive preparation.
Dosage
The WHO monograph on Fructus Anethi gives an average daily dose of 3 g of the dried ripe fruit, or 0.1-0.3 g of the essential oil, or the equivalent in other preparations. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The WHO monograph on Semen Cardamomi gives an average DAILY dosage of 1.5 g of the drug, or equivalent preparations; for tincture, a daily dosage equivalent to 12 g. Note the 1.5 g is a daily total, not a per-dose amount. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Thanuma, J., Phetcharaburanin, J., Dokduang, H., Loilome, W. and others (2025) 'Metabolomic analysis of bioactive compounds in dill (Anethum graveolens L.) extracts', PeerJ, 13, pp. e19567. doi:10.7717/peerj.19567 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19567 - Sharma, H., Yang, H., Sharma, N. and An, S.S.A (2024) 'Neuroprotection by Anethum graveolens (Dill) Seeds and Its Phytocompounds in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cell Lines and Acellular Assays', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(13), pp. 7104. doi:10.3390/ijms25137104 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137104 - Mohammed, F.A., Elkady, A.I., Syed, F.Q., Mirza, M.B. and others (2018) 'Anethum graveolens (dill) - A medicinal herb induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cell line', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 219, pp. 15-22. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.03.008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2018.03.008 - Haidari, F., Zakerkish, M., Borazjani, F., Ahmadi Angali, K. and others (2020) 'The effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) powder supplementation on clinical and metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes', Trials, 21(1), pp. 483. doi:10.1186/s13063-020-04401-3 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04401-3 - Li, Z., Xue, Y., Li, M., Guo, Q. and others (2018) 'The Antioxidation of Different Fractions of Dill (Anethum graveolens) and Their Influences on Cytokines in Macrophages RAW264.7', Journal of Oleo Science, 67(12), pp. 1535-1541. doi:10.5650/jos.ess18134 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess18134 - Jang, S.A., Lee, S.J., Hwang, Y.H. and Ha, H (2023) 'Anti-Osteoporotic Potential of Water Extract of Anethum graveolens L. Seeds', Nutrients, 15(19), pp. 4302. doi:10.3390/nu15194302 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194302 - Stavri, M. and Gibbons, S (2005) 'The antimycobacterial constituents of dill (Anethum graveolens)', Phytotherapy Research, 19(11), pp. 938-941. doi:10.1002/ptr.1758 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1758 - Orhan, I.E., Senol, F.S., Ozturk, N., Celik, S.A. and others (2013) 'Phytochemical contents and enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant properties of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) samples cultivated under organic and conventional agricultural conditions', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 59, pp. 96-103. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2013.05.053 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2013.05.053 - Tian, J., Ban, X., Zeng, H., He, J. and others (2012) 'The mechanism of antifungal action of essential oil from dill (Anethum graveolens L.) on Aspergillus flavus', PLoS One, 7(1), pp. e30147. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030147 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0030147 - Castro, L.M., Pinto, N.B., Moura, M.Q., Villela, M.M. and others (2021) 'Antihelminthic action of the Anethum graveolens essential oil on Haemonchus contortus eggs and larvae', Brazilian Journal of Biology, 81(1), pp. 183-188. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.225856 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.225856 - World Health Organization (2007) 'Fructus Anethi'. Available at: https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 Traditional / reference
https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 - Egyptian Drug Authority (n.d.). Available at: https://dev.edaegypt.gov.eg/media/a4kf0fmp/anethum-graveolens_1.pdf Traditional / reference
https://dev.edaegypt.gov.eg/media/a4kf0fmp/anethum-graveolens_1.pdf - Haidari, F., Mohammadshahi, M., Zarei, M., Gorji, Z., Asghari-Jafarabadi, M. and Alizadeh, M (2020) 'The effects of anethum graveolens (dill) powder supplementation on clinical and metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes'. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102367 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102367 - Mousavi, S.M., Pizarro, A.B., Akhgarjand, C., Bagheri, A., Persad, E., Karimi, E., Wong, A. and Jayedi, A (2022) 'The effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) supplementation on lipid profile and glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', 62(21), pp. 5705--5716. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1889459 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1889459 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837530-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:837530-1 - World Health Organization (2007) 'WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants, Volume 3: ‘Fructus Anethi'. Available at: https://e-lactancia.org/media/papers/Fitoterapia-Plantas-WHO-03_2007.pdf Traditional / reference
https://e-lactancia.org/media/papers/Fitoterapia-Plantas-WHO-03_2007.pdf - Aydogmus-Ozturk, F. and Jahan, H. and Ozturk, M. and Gunaydin, K. and Choudhary, M.I (2020) 'Preclinical study of the medicinal plants for the treatment of malignant melanoma', Molecular Biology Reports, 47(8), pp. 5975-5983. doi:10.1007/s11033-020-05671-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-05671-5 - Tavakkol Afshari, H.S. and Homayouni Tabrizi, M. and Ardalan, T. and Jalili Anoushirvani, N. and Mahdizadeh, R (2021) 'Anethum graveolens Essential Oil Nanoemulsions (AGEO-NE) as an Exclusive Apoptotic Inducer in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 74(4), pp. 1411-1419. doi:10.1080/01635581.2021.1952450 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.1952450 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Washington State University Extension, Yakima County (2025) 'One Invasive, One Native, Both Deadly'. Available at: https://extension.wsu.edu/yakima/2025/08/09/one-invasive-one-native-both-deadly/ Traditional / reference
https://extension.wsu.edu/yakima/2025/08/09/one-invasive-one-native-both-deadly/ - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Poison Hemlock: How to Identify and Potential Look-alikes'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/
- Ashokkumar, K., Murugan, M., Dhanya, M.K. and Warkentin, T.D (2019) 'Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton] - A critical review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 246, pp. 112244. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112244 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112244 - Jamal, A., Javed, K., Aslam, M. and Jafri, M.A (2006) 'Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum Maton. fruits in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 103(2), pp. 149-153. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.016 - Yahyazadeh, R., Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M., Razavi, B.M., Karimi, G. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2021) 'The effect of Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) on the metabolic syndrome: Narrative review', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 24(11), pp. 1462-1469. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2021.54417.12228 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2021.54417.12228 - Cardenas Garza, G.R., Elizondo Luevano, J.H., Bazaldua Rodriguez, A.F., Chavez Montes, A., Perez Hernandez, R.A. and Martinez Delgado, A.J (2021) 'Benefits of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Extracts for Their Applications as Natural Anti-Inflammatory Adjuvants', Plants, 10(9), pp. 1908. doi:10.3390/plants10091908 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091908 - Sreedharan, S., Nair, V. and Cisneros-Zevallos, L (2023) 'Protective Role of Phenolic Compounds from Whole Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) against LPS-Induced Inflammation in Colon and Macrophage Cells', Nutrients, 15(13), pp. 2965. doi:10.3390/nu15132965 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132965 - Almeer, R.S., Alnasser, M., Aljarba, N. and AlBasher, G.I (2021) 'Effects of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) and its combination with cyclophosphamide on Ehrlich solid tumors', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), pp. 133. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03305-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03305-2 - Almohammed, H.I., Alkhaibari, A.M. and Alanazi, A.D (2022) 'Antiparasitic effects of Elettaria cardamomum L. essential oil and its main compounds, 1,8-Cineole alone and in combination with albendazole against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces', Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29(4), pp. 2811-2818. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.01.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.01.005 - Pavarino, M., Marengo, A., Cagliero, C., Bicchi, C., Rubiolo, P. and Sgorbini, B (2023) 'Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton Essential Oil: An Interesting Source of Bioactive Specialized Metabolites as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase', Plants, 12(19), pp. 3463. doi:10.3390/plants12193463 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193463 - Masoumi-Ardakani, Y., Mahmoudvand, H., Mirzaei, A., Esmaeilpour, K., Ghazvini, H. and Khalifeh, S (2017) 'The effect of Elettaria cardamomum extract on anxiety-like behavior in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 87, pp. 489-495. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.116 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.116 - Delgadillo-Puga, C., Torre-Villalvazo, I., Carino-Cervantes, Y.Y., Garcia-Luna, C., Soberanes-Chavez, P. and de Gortari, P (2023) 'Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) Seeds Intake Increases Energy Expenditure and Reduces Fat Mass in Mice by Modulating Neural Circuits That Regulate Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism in Liver and Skeletal Muscle', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(4), pp. 3909. doi:10.3390/ijms24043909 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043909 - World Health Organization (2009) 'Semen Cardamomi'. Available at: https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 Traditional / reference
https://iris.who.int/items/6418d8af-5200-4e6b-9bf5-004f3aa62a37 - Bhilave, M.P., Bhosale, S.V. and Nadaf, S.B (2013) 'Evaluation of antibacterial activity of cardamom seeds of Elettaria cardamomum', 4(1), pp. 66--69. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Evaluation%20of%20antibacterial%20activity%20of%20cardamom%20seeds%20of%20Elettaria%20cardamomum - Jamal, A., Javed, K., Aslam, M. and Jafri, M.A (2006) 'Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum (Maton) Fruits in Rats', 103(2), pp. 149--153. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.040 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.040 - Korikanthimath, V.S. and Hiremath, G.M (2002) 'Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)', pp. 144--157. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Cardamom%20%28Elettaria%20cardamomum%20Maton%29 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:796793-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:796793-1 - Verma, S.K., Jain, V. and Katewa, S.S (2009) 'Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)', 46(6), pp. 503--506. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Blood%20pressure%20lowering%2C%20fibrinolysis%20enhancing%20and%20antioxidant%20activities%20of%20cardamom%20%28Elettaria%20cardamomum%29 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.