Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Dill vs Common Juniper
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 Common Juniper: they share 8 indicated uses (bloating, cancer (anticancer research), indigestion, …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Dill | Common Juniper | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloating | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Infection (general) | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Urinary support | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 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.
Berry essential oil dominated by alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene and limonene, giving the characteristic aroma and the antimicrobial activity.
Antioxidant and astringent supporting constituents.
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 anticancer action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic 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).
Avoid in pregnancy. Juniper is not recommended during pregnancy (EMA/HMPC, 2023; Health Canada, 2025).Avoid with kidney disorders / serious kidney disease. It’s not recommended if you have kidney disease (EMA/HMPC, 2023; Health Canada, 2025).Adults only (for medicinal use). Use in under-18s is not recommended due to lack of data (EMA/HMPC, 2023).Hydration matters. If you’re using it for urinary “flushing,” you need adequate fluid intake (EMA/HMPC, 2023).Stop and seek help if symptoms look serious. Fever, painful urination, cramps/spasms, or blood in urine = talk to a clinician (EMA/HMPC, 2023).Duration caution. If using it beyond a few weeks, talk to a health professional (Health Canada, 2025).If breastfeeding: ask a health professional first (EMA/HMPC, 2023; Health Canada, 2025).
Duke (2002) rates juniper as + (use with caution), noting diuretic, carminative, and aquaretic activities, primarily at the experimental level (score 1). Traditional use for urinary infections is not supported by strong clinical evidence. The essential oil contains potentially nephrotoxic terpinen-4-ol, and juniper is contraindicated in kidney disease, urinary infections with inflammation, and pregnancy (emmenagogue and potential abortifacient properties). Commission E and PhEur do not recommend medicinal doses for prolonged use exceeding 4–6 weeks (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]
Evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree, often low and sprawling, with sharp, needle-like leaves in whorls of three, each bearing a single white band on the upper surface. The plant is dioecious; female plants bear small, round, fleshy, berry-like cones ('juniper berries') that take two to three years to ripen from green to blue-black.[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]
Grows on heath, moorland, rocky hillsides and open coniferous woodland on poor, often calcareous soils; one of the most widely distributed conifers, native across the Northern Hemisphere from Europe and Asia to North America.
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 ripe, blue-black berry-like cones are hand-picked in autumn, typically in their second or third year of ripening (a mix of ages is often present on the same shrub); leaves and young stems can be gathered through the growing season.
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]
Juniper berry has a long European tradition as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic for minor urinary complaints, a warming digestive carminative for indigestion and bloating, and a flavouring for gin and other spirits; the leaf and wood have also been burned or used topically for their antimicrobial properties.[1]
Preparations
Comminuted juniper cone berries infused in 150 ml boiling water, 2.0-2.5 g as a single dose 1-3 times daily per the current revision of the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Steam-distilled from the berries; used in small internal doses for short periods or diluted for topical/aromatic use.
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 gives 2.0-2.5 g of the comminuted cone berries in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, 1-3 times daily (single dose 2-2.5 g, daily dose 2.5-6 g), for adults and elderly. Use is limited to short courses - if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks a healthcare practitioner should be consulted - with adequate fluid intake; contraindicated in severe renal disease and not recommended in pregnancy. 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/
- Pepeljnjak, S., Kosalec, I., Kalodera, Z. and Blazević, N (2005) 'Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae)', Acta Pharmaceutica, 55(4), pp. 417-422. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16375831/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16375831/ - Peruč, D., Tićac, B., Broznić, D., Maglica, Ž. et al (2020) 'Juniperus communis essential oil limits the biofilm formation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare on polystyrene in a temperature-dependent manner', International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 32(1), pp. 141-154. doi:10.1080/09603123.2020.1741519 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2020.1741519 - Marković, T., Popović, S., Matić, S., Mitrović, M. et al (2024) 'Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Anticancer Activity of Juniperus communis Essential Oil in HeLa and HCT 116 Cells', Plants (Basel), 13(17), pp. 2351. doi:10.3390/plants13172351 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172351 - Goncalves, A.C., Flores-Felix, J.D., Coutinho, P., Alves, G. and Silva, L.R (2022) 'Zimbro (Juniperus communis L.) as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds and Biomedical Activities: A Review on Recent Trends', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(6), pp. 3197. doi:10.3390/ijms23063197 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063197 - Bais, S., Gill, N.S., Rana, N. and Shandil, S (2014) 'A Phytopharmacological Review on a Medicinal Plant: Juniperus communis', International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014, pp. 634723. doi:10.1155/2014/634723 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/634723 - Raina, R., Verma, P.K., Peshin, R. and Kour, H (2019) 'Potential of Juniperus communis L as a nutraceutical in human and veterinary medicine', Heliyon, 5(8), pp. e02376. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02376 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02376 - Gordien, A.Y., Gray, A.I., Franzblau, S.G. and Seidel, V (2009) 'Antimycobacterial terpenoids from Juniperus communis L. (Cuppressaceae)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 126(3), pp. 500-505. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.007 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.007 - Klancnik, A., Zorko, S., Toplak, N., Kovac, M., Bucar, F., Jersek, B. and Smole Mozina, S (2017) 'Antiadhesion activity of juniper (Juniperus communis L.) preparations against Campylobacter jejuni evaluated with PCR-based methods', Phytotherapy Research, 32(3), pp. 542-550. doi:10.1002/ptr.6005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6005 - Maurya, A.K., Devi, R., Kumar, A., Koundal, R., Thakur, S., Sharma, A., Kumar, D., Kumar, R., Padwad, Y.S., Chand, G., Singh, B. and Agnihotri, V.K (2018) 'Chemical Composition, Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils of Cultivated Clones of Juniperus communis and Wild Juniperus Species', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 15(9), pp. e1800183. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201800183 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201800183 - Jegal, J., Park, S., Chung, K., Chung, H.Y., Lee, J., Jeong, E.J., Kim, K.H. and Yang, M.H (2016) 'Tyrosinase inhibitory flavonoid from Juniperus communis fruits', Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 80(12), pp. 2311-2317. doi:10.1080/09168451.2016.1217146 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2016.1217146 - Lin, T., Lu, C., Chang, K. and Lee, C (2022) 'Juniperus communis extract ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathway', Food Science & Nutrition, 10(10), pp. 3405-3414. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2941 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2941 - Gao, H., Huang, X., Yang, T., Chang, K., Yeh, L., Hsieh, M., Weng, J. and Tsai, N (2019) 'Juniperus communis Suppresses Melanoma Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting Tumor Growth and Inducing Apoptosis', The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 47(5), pp. 1171-1191. doi:10.1142/S0192415X19500605 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X19500605 - Huang, N., Huang, R., Huang, X., Chang, K., Lee, C., Hsiao, C., Lee, S. and Tsai, N (2021) 'Evaluation of anticancer effects of Juniperus communis extract on hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo', Bioscience Reports, 41(7), pp. BSR20211143. doi:10.1042/BSR20211143 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20211143 - Lai, W., Lee, S., Chang, K., Huang, X., Li, C., Lee, C., Wu, C., Hsu, H. and Tsai, N (2021) 'Juniperus communis extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo', Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54(10), pp. e10891. doi:10.1590/1414-431X2020e10891 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2020e10891 - Peruc, D., Ticac, B., Abram, M., Broznic, D., Stifter, S., Staver, M.M. and Gobin, I (2019) 'Synergistic potential of Juniperus communis and Helichrysum italicum essential oils against nontuberculous mycobacteria', Journal of Medical Microbiology, 68(5), pp. 703-710. doi:10.1099/jmm.0.000962 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000962 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2023) 'European Union herbal monograph on Juniperus communis L., galbulus (pseudo-fructus), Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-juniperus-communis-l-pseudo-fructus-galbulus-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-juniperus-communis-l-pseudo-fructus-galbulus-revision-1_en.pdf - European Medicines Agency (2010) 'European Union herbal monograph on Juniperus communis L., pseudo-fructus'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=European%20Union%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Juniperus%20communis%20L.%2C%20pseudo-fructus - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - 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 - Four Season Foraging (2025) 'Is Juniper Toxic?'. Available at: https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2025/4/17/is-juniper-toxic Traditional / reference
https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2025/4/17/is-juniper-toxic - Zheljazkov, V.D. and Cantrell, C.L. and Semerdjieva, I. and Radoukova, T. and Stoyanova, A. and Maneva, V. and Kacaniova, M. and Astatkie, T. and Borisova, D. and Dincheva, I. and Salamon, I (2021) 'Essential Oil Composition and Bioactivity of Two Juniper Species from Bulgaria and Slovakia', Molecules, 26(12), pp. 3659. doi:10.3390/molecules26123659 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123659
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.