Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Dill vs Fennel
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 Fennel: both belong to the Apiaceae family; they share 2 indicated uses (infection (general), wounds); 1 pharmacological action in common.
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.
The aromatic volatile oil of the seed; trans-anethole is the principal component and is associated with the antispasmodic, carminative and estrogen-like activity.
Antioxidant polyphenolic constituents.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.
Major constituents of the fruit/seed oil.
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 antimicrobial action
Relieves primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual) pain - meta-analyses of RCTs find fennel reduces pain intensity versus placebo, comparable to mefenamic acid
inferred from antispasmodic action
Relieves primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual) pain - meta-analyses of RCTs find fennel reduces pain intensity versus placebo, comparable to mefenamic acid
inferred from expectorant 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).
When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned. Special Precautions and Warnings When taken by mouth: Fennel is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine at appropriate doses for a short period of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether fennel is safe when used long-term. Although rare, side effects might include stomach upset and seizures.
When applied to the skin: Fennel is possibly safe. Fennel can make skin extra sensitive to the sun and make it easier to get a sunburn. Wear sunblock if you are light-skinned.
Pregnancy: Fennel is possibly unsafe to use when pregnant. Regularly using fennel has been linked to preterm birth.
Breast-feeding: Fennel is possibly unsafe. There are some reports of breast-feeding infants with damage to their nervous systems after they were exposed to herbal tea containing fennel through breastmilk.
Children: Fennel is possibly safe when used at appropriate doses for up to one week in young infants with colic.
Allergy to celery, carrot or mugwort: Fennel might cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to these plants.
Bleeding disorders: Fennel might slow blood clotting. Taking fennel might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fennel might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, do not use fennel. (WebMD, n.d.b)
Duke (2002) rates fennel as ++ and notes antispasmodic, carminative, and digestive activities at experimental levels (score 1). Its estrogenic activity is well-documented, and it is traditionally used as a lactagogue. Commission E approves fennel for dyspeptic complaints and upper respiratory tract catarrh. Dose: 1.5–7.5 g seed or equivalent daily. Duke cautions that fennel essential oil in large amounts may be neurotoxic (estrole content), and prolonged use of concentrated extracts should be avoided during pregnancy (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]
Aromatic, robust perennial (often grown as an annual/biennial) with a smooth, waxy, blue-green, hollow stem and finely divided, thread-fine, feathery leaves. Small yellow flowers are borne in large flat compound umbels in summer, ripening into ridged, strongly aniseed-scented seeds.[3]
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 Mediterranean region; naturalised and widely cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical climates as a culinary herb, vegetable (Florence fennel) and spice crop.[3]
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.
Leaves are picked fresh through the growing season; the seed is harvested in autumn once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed; the swollen root/bulb of Florence fennel is harvested when mature, before flowering.[3]
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]
Fennel seed has an ancient Mediterranean and Asian tradition as a carminative digestive remedy for indigestion, bloating and colic (including infant colic, historically), a mild expectorant for respiratory catarrh, and a traditional lactagogue and emmenagogue owing to its mild estrogen-like activity.[3]
Preparations
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 EU herbal monograph on bitter fennel fruit gives, for adults and adolescents, 1.5 g of the herbal substance in 250 mL of boiling water (steeped 15 minutes) as an infusion three times daily, for a daily dose of 4.5 g. For children 4 to 12 years, 1.0 g in 100 mL three times daily (daily dose 3.0 g); use is not recommended under 4 years. Use should be short-term, and the monograph limits exposure because of the estragole content of the fruit. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
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/
- Rafieian, F., Amani, R., Rezaei, A. and others (2023) 'Exploring fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Composition, functional properties, potential health benefits, and safety', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(19), pp. 6924-6941. doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2176817 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2176817 - Khorshidi, M. and others (2021) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) for the management of menopausal women's health: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 43, pp. 101360. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101360 - Badgujar, S.B. and Patel, V.V. and Bandivdekar, A.H (2014) 'Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology', BioMed Research International. doi:10.1155/2014/842674 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/842674 - Rasul, A. and others (2019) 'Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) promotes functional recovery and ameliorates oxidative stress following a lesion to the sciatic nerve in mouse model', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(11), pp. e12983. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12983 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12983 - Rasheed, N. and others (2019) 'The Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare incorporated diet shows anxiolytic potential: A pre-clinical study', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32(4), pp. 1791-1797. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20Fennel%2C%20Foeniculum%20vulgare%20incorporated%20diet%20shows%20anxiolytic%20potential%3A%20A%20pre-clinical%20study - Xu, Y., Yang, Q. and Wang, X (2020) 'Efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Journal of International Medical Research, 48(6). doi:10.1177/0300060520936179 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060520936179 - Bae, J. and others (2022) 'Olfactory Stimulation by Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Essential Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders in High Fat-Induced Obese Rats', Nutrients, 14(4), pp. 741. doi:10.3390/nu14040741 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040741 - Crescente, G. and others (2017) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. subsp. piperitum) florets, a traditional culinary spice in Italy: evaluation of phenolics and volatiles in local populations, and comparison with the composition of other plant parts', Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(5), pp. 1755-1765. doi:10.1002/jsfa.8426 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8426 - Yakut, H.I., Koyuncu, E., Cakir, U., Tayman, C. and others (2020) 'Preventative and therapeutic effects of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed extracts against necrotizing enterocolitis', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(8), pp. e13284. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13284 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13284 - Kamali, F., Mojani-Qomi, M.S., Arbabi Bidgoli, S., Lavasani, Z. and Adineh, M (2025) 'Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) oral capsules improve endometrial thickness in infertile women following clomiphene citrate treatment', European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 313, pp. 114638. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114638 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114638 - Pattanittum, P., Kunyanone, N., Brown, J., Sangkomkamhang, U.S., Barnes, J., Seyfoddin, V. and Marjoribanks, J (2016) 'Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhoea', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, pp. CD002124. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002124.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002124.pub2 - Shahrahmani, H., Ghazanfarpour, M., Shahrahmani, N., Abdi, F., Sewell, R.D.E. and Rafieian-Kopaei, M (2021) 'Effect of fennel on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 18(2), pp. 261--269. doi:10.1515/jcim-2019-0212 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0212 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Foeniculum vulgare Miller subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, fructus, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-foeniculum-vulgare-miller-subsp-vulgare-var-vulgare-fructus-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-foeniculum-vulgare-miller-subsp-vulgare-var-vulgare-fructus-revision-1_en.pdf - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel Traditional / reference
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-311/fennel - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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/ - Teuscher, E. and Greger, H. and Adrian, V (1990) 'Toxicity of Aethusa cynapium L. (fool's parsley)', Pharmazie, 45(7), pp. 537-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ - Minnesota Wildflowers (2024) 'Aethusa cynapium (Fool's Parsley)'. Available at: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley Traditional / reference
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley - Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (Fermanagh Flora) 'Aethusa cynapium L., Fool's Parsley'. Available at: https://fermanagh.bsbi.org/aethusa-cynapium-l Traditional / reference
https://fermanagh.bsbi.org/aethusa-cynapium-l
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.