Plant Comparison
Dill vs Catnip
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 Catnip: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Dill | Catnip | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Bloating | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Indigestion | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Infection (general) | 8/10 | 2/10 | 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.
The characteristic volatile iridoid responsible for the cat-attractant effect and studied for sedative, antimicrobial and insect-repellent activity.
Rich in nepetalactone isomers along with other monoterpenes; studied for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
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 antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative 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).
Pregnancy: Do not use (traditional concern around stimulating menstruation/uterus) (Health Canada, n.d.). Breastfeeding: Health Canada advises talk to a healthcare professional first (Health Canada, n.d.). Kids: It’s often described as a “gentle” traditional tea, but large amounts are not a good idea—there’s a published case where a toddler became very sleepy/“slowed down” after consuming a lot. Keep catnip tea away from toddlers unless a clinician advises it (Osterhoudt et al., 1997). Sedatives / alcohol: Catnip can be calming, so don’t stack it with other sedating herbs/sleep meds/alcohol (you could get extra drowsy) (WebMD, n.d.a). Essential oil caution: Catnip essential oil is concentrated. Research notes it may cause mild skin irritation for some people—always dilute, patch test, and never treat it like “tea.” (Reichert et al., 2019)
Duke (2002) describes catnip primarily as a sedative, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue with experimental (score 1) support. It has demonstrated uterotonic and oxytocic activity, making it contraindicated in pregnancy. The active compounds include nepetalactone and iridoids. Catnip is classified as a mild nervine and antispasmodic in traditional North American herbal medicine, though clinical trials are lacking. Due to its emmenagogue and uterotonic properties, medicinal-dose use 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]
Perennial herb, 30-100 cm tall, with greyish-green, downy, square stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, triangular-ovate with scalloped or toothed margins, grey-green above and softly felted (whitish) beneath, releasing a minty-lemony aroma when crushed. Small white flowers, spotted with purple or pink, are borne in dense terminal and axillary spikes. Nepetalactone, the volatile compound famous for its effect on cats, is concentrated in glandular hairs on the leaves and stems.[9]
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 Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalised in North America; grows on disturbed, sunny ground - roadsides, waste places, hedgebanks and dry, calcareous or well-drained soils.[9]
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.
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]
Catnip has a long North American and European folk-medicine history as a mild sedative/nervine, diaphoretic (fever-reducing, sweat-promoting) remedy, carminative digestive and traditional emmenagogue; it was also given as a children's tea for colic and restlessness, though large amounts are not advised for young children and it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.[9]
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.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 1.2-12 g of dried herb top per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription. Keep away from toddlers and young children beyond very small amounts, and avoid medicinal-dose use in pregnancy.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
Drug Class Interactions
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/
- Geissler, M., Neubauer, C., Sheludko, Y.V. and Warzecha, H (2024) 'Nepeta cataria L. (catnip) can serve as a chassis for the engineering of secondary metabolic pathways', Biotechnology Letters, 46(5), pp. 843-850. doi:10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w - Lockhart, A., Simon, J.E. and Wu, Q (2024) 'Stability study of Nepeta cataria iridoids analyzed by LC/MS', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(7), pp. 1674-1687. doi:10.1002/pca.3410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3410 - Nadeem, A., Shahzad, H., Ahmed, B., Muntean, T. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical profiling of antimicrobial and potential antioxidant plant: Nepeta cataria', Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, pp. 969316. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 - Tan, J., Li, J., Ma, J. and Qiao, F (2019) 'Hepatoprotective effect of essential oils of Nepeta cataria L. on acetaminophen-induced liver dysfunction', Bioscience Reports, 39(8), pp. BSR20190697. doi:10.1042/BSR20190697 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20190697 - Mollova, S., Dzhurmanski, A., Fidan, H., Bojilov, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity', ACS Omega, 8(17), pp. 15441-15449. doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 - Reichert, W., Ejercito, J., Guda, T., Dong, X. and others (2019) 'Repellency Assessment of Nepeta cataria Essential Oils and Isolated Nepetalactones on Aedes aegypti', Scientific Reports, 9(1), pp. 1524. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 - Tiwari, G., Chaturvedi, T., Gupta, A.K., Lal, R.K. and others (2023) 'Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(2), pp. e202200241. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200241 - Giarratana, F., Muscolino, D., Ziino, G., Lo Presti, V. and others (2017) 'Activity of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) essential oil against Anisakis larvae', Tropical Biomedicine, 34(1), pp. 22-31. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ - Sarkar, M., Rashmi, R., Vikramaditya and Varma, P.N (1995) 'Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria', Ancient Science of Life, 14(4), pp. 225-234. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ - Bernardi, M.M., Kirsten, T.B., Lago, J.H.G., Giovani, T.M. and Massoco, C.O (2011) 'Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) increases penile erection in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), pp. 1318-1322. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Catnip - Nepeta cataria'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Gilani, A.H., Shah, A.J., Zubair, A., Khalid, S., Kiani, J., Ahmed, A., Rasheed, M. and Ahmad, V.U (2009) 'Chemical composition and mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic and bronchodilatory properties of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L', 121(3), pp. 405--411. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 - 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 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
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.