Plant Comparison
Dill vs Labrador-tea
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 Labrador-tea: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Dill | Labrador-tea | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 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 |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 8/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Urinary support | 8/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Dill |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 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.
Ledol is the characteristic, mildly toxic sesquiterpene alcohol of the leaf, particularly concentrated in fresh material.
Toxic diterpenes shared with related Ericaceae; the basis for the caution around excessive or prolonged use.
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 anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory 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).
Labrador tea contains ledol, a toxic sesquiterpene alcohol, particularly concentrated in fresh leaves. Excessive consumption can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and even toxicity (especially in the related Ledum palustre). Use only in small, controlled amounts. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Identify plant correctly — confusion with other bog plants can be dangerous.
Duke (2002) rates Labrador tea as + (caution warranted) and notes primarily folkloric activities, with the plant acting as a diuretic, expectorant, and vulnerary. Importantly, Duke classifies it as having narcotic and deliriant potential — large doses can cause intoxication, hallucinations, and toxicity. It contains ericolin and ledol, which are potentially neurotoxic compounds. Duke emphasizes that Labrador tea should be used only with caution and at low doses, and notes that it is not appropriate for regular internal use given its toxicity profile at higher amounts (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]
Low evergreen shrub (Ericaceae), 30-100 cm tall. Leaves are narrow, leathery, with in-rolled margins and a dense, rust-coloured, woolly felt on the underside, strongly aromatic when crushed. Small white flowers are borne in terminal clusters.[4]
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]
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 and young stems are gathered, traditionally in late summer, and dried. Only small amounts are used given the plant's ledol/grayanotoxin content, and correct identification against toxic bog look-alikes (bog rosemary) is essential.[6]
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]
Labrador tea has a long Indigenous North American and Scandinavian folk-medicine tradition as a mild diuretic and respiratory remedy, and as an aromatic tea and spice, always used in small, cautious amounts given its narcotic/toxic potential at higher doses. Modern phytochemical work confirms anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of its essential oil.[1]
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.
Duke (2002) advises using Labrador tea only with caution and at low doses given its narcotic/deliriant potential at higher amounts; it is not appropriate for regular internal use. Educational reference only, not a prescription - use only small, occasional amounts of properly identified leaf.
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/
- Dampc, A. and Luczkiewicz, M (2013) 'Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre): a review of traditional use based on current research', pp. 130--143. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rhododendron%20tomentosum%20%28Ledum%20palustre%29%3A%20a%20review%20of%20traditional%20use%20based%20on%20current%20research - Jesionek, A., Kokotkiewicz, A., Mikosik-Roczynska, A., Ciesielska-Figlon, K. and others (2019) 'Chemical variability of Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) essential oils and their pro-apoptotic effect on lymphocytes and rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes', Fitoterapia, 139, pp. 104402. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104402 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104402 - Kang, J.Y., Tran, K.D., Seiff, S.R., Mack, W.P. and Lee, W.W (2017) 'Assessing the Effectiveness of Arnica montana and Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) in the Reduction of Ecchymosis and Edema After Oculofacial Surgery: Preliminary Results', Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 33(1), pp. 47-52. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000000645 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/IOP.0000000000000645 - Vengryte, M. and Raudone, L (2024) 'Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere', Plants (Basel), 13(6), pp. 901. doi:10.3390/plants13060901 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060901 - Iunusova, D.R., Polezhaeva, M.A. and Marchuk, E.A (2024) 'Confusing boundaries of the Labrador tea species: dispersal history explains the lack of clear species structure', Annals of Botany, 134(6), pp. 959-974. doi:10.1093/aob/mcae130 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae130 - Dampc, A. and Luczkiewicz, M (2014) 'Labrador tea - the aromatic beverage and spice: a review of origin, processing and safety', Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95(8), pp. 1577-1583. doi:10.1002/jsfa.6889 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6889 - Jaenson, T.G.T., Palsson, K. and Borg-Karlson, A.K (2005) 'Evaluation of extracts and oils of tick-repellent plants from Sweden', Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 19(4), pp. 345-352. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00578.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00578.x - Tattje, D.H.E. and Bos, R (1981) 'Composition of essential oil of Ledum palustre', Planta Medica, 41(3), pp. 303-307. doi:10.1055/s-2007-971719 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-971719 - Zhang, K., Wang, J., Chen, L., Li, J. and others (2019) 'Two new taraxerane-type triterpenes from Ledum palustre L', Natural Product Research, 34(19), pp. 2723-2728. doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1586689 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2019.1586689 - Islam, M.N., Khalil, M.I., Islam, M.A. and Gan, S.H (2013) 'Toxic compounds in honey', Journal of Applied Toxicology, 34(7), pp. 733-742. doi:10.1002/jat.2952 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2952 - Baananou, S., Bagdonaite, E., Marongiu, B., Piras, A. and others (2014) 'Supercritical CO2 extract and essential oil of aerial part of Ledum palustre L. - Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity', Natural Product Research, 29(11), pp. 999-1005. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.965167 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.965167 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - 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 - Kirtley, Paul (2015) 'Labrador Tea - Tonic or Toxic?'. Available at: https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ Traditional / reference
https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ - Jiang, L. and Zhanxiong, L. and Fengcai, Y. and Fuli, L. and Xiaoling, S (2022) 'Third-degree atrioventricular block caused by intoxication with rhododendron leaves', Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 28(2), pp. e13012. doi:10.1111/anec.13012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1111/anec.13012
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.