Plant Profile

Dill

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026
Anethum graveolens
Family: Apiaceae  ·  Parts used: Leaf, Seed, Stem  ·  Also known as: garden dill, European dill

Common names in 27 European languages →

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 13 traditional / indicated uses, with 25 cited sources.

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]

Height: 40-120 cm
Habit: Erect, aromatic annual herb
Leaves: Finely divided into thread-like, feathery segments
Flowers: Small yellow flowers in flat, wide compound umbels
Stem: Slender, hollow, ridged, blue-green, unspotted
Root: Slender taproot
Fruit: Small, flattened, ridged, aromatic seed (mericarp)
Flowering Period: June-August

Habitat & Distribution

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.

Parts: Leaf, Seed, Stem
Season: Leaf through summer; seed in late summer to early autumn

Key Constituents

Essential oil (carvone, limonene)[1, 7]

Seed essential oil dominated by the monoterpene ketone carvone and limonene, giving dill its characteristic aroma and much of its carminative and antimicrobial activity.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoids
Flavonoids and phenolic compounds[1]

Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolics identified in metabolomic analysis of leaf and seed extracts.

FlavonoidsPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]
Anticancer (preclinical)[19, 20]

Anethum graveolens (dill) extract and essential oil induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells (preclinical).

Antimicrobial[7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]
Antioxidant[1, 4, 5, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]
Digestive aid[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]
Diuretic[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 8
Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 8
Label: Bloating

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Cancer (anticancer research)[19, 20]Preliminary · 2/10

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).

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

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Cardiovascular / heart health[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10
Evidence: 8
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health

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Indigestion[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 8
Label: Indigestion

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Infection (general)[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 8
Label: Infection (general)

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Inflammation (general)[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 8
Label: Inflammation (general)

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Metabolic support[4, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: Metabolic support

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Skin irritation[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 8
Label: Skin irritation

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Swelling / fluid retention[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from diuretic action

Evidence: 8
Label: Swelling / fluid retention

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Urinary support[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from diuretic action

Evidence: 8
Label: Urinary support

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Urinary tract infection (UTI)[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from diuretic action

Evidence: 8
Label: Urinary tract infection (UTI)

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →

Wounds[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Good · 8/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 8
Label: Wounds

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Traditional Use & History

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]

Preparations

Infusion (leaf)[1]

Fresh or dried leaf infused as a milder digestive tea, also used culinarily.

Essential oil[13]

Essential oil of the dried ripe fruit; average daily dose 0.1-0.3 g per the WHO monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Dosage

Seed infusion[13]

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.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]Caution

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.).

Safety note[14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21]Caution

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).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Conium Maculatum[22, 23, 24, 25]Fatal
Confused Part: Young feathery, finely divided thread-like leaves and the umbels of tiny white flowers, which closely resemble dill; and poison-hemlock volunteer seedlings appearing among planted dill.
Confusion Context: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is the classic fatal mimic of feathery parsley-family herbs. Washington State University Extension states poison hemlock's tiny white flowers form an umbel similar to dill, parsnip or carrot, and its finely divided fern-like foliage looks much like dill weed; a poison-hemlock seedling volunteering among garden dill, or a forager mistaking wild hemlock for dill, is a realistic and potentially lethal hazard. Conium contains coniine and kills by ascending paralysis and respiratory failure - a few leaves or seeds can be fatal. Documented dill-specific poisonings are sparse (most fatal hemlock confusions involve carrot, parsnip or fennel), so the value of this record is the rock-solid tests below rather than a claim that this exact swap is common.
Distinguishing Features: SMELL (decisive): crushed dill smells fresh, sweet and unmistakably of dill. Poison hemlock smells rank, musty and mouse-like, with no dill scent., Stem: poison hemlock has a hairless, hollow stem conspicuously blotched and streaked with red-purple, especially near the base. Dill stems are plain blue-green and never carry purple blotches., Stature: poison hemlock is a tall (often 1.5-3 m) branching biennial; cultivated dill is a slender annual usually under 1 m. A large fern-leaved umbellifer with a purple-blotched stem is not dill.
Key Test: Crush a leaf and smell it, and look at the stem. A fresh sweet dill scent with a plain blue-green stem = dill. A musty/mousy smell and/or a hairless stem with red-purple blotches = poison hemlock - do not eat. If either warning sign is present, discard it.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

[11]

Part: leaf
Signals: Gather the leaves (dill weed) while the plant is growing, best just before it comes into flower, when the foliage is most tender and aromatic., SAFETY: dill is an Apiaceae confusable with poison hemlock (Conium maculatum); confirm identity before gathering - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The leaves can be harvested at any time the plant is growing, but are best just before the plant flowers
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3200). Single source -> provisional.

[11]

Part: stem
Signals: Gather the tender young stems with the leaves (dill weed), best just before the plant comes into flower., SAFETY: confirm identity before gathering - dill is confusable with poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The leaves can be harvested at any time the plant is growing, but are best just before the plant flowers
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: The small tender stems are gathered as 'dill weed' with the leaves before flowering (Useful Temperate Plants, REF-3200). Single source -> provisional.

[12]

Part: seed
Signals: Cut the seed umbels when the seeds are fully developed but before they turn brown - fully ripe seeds shatter and drop; dry the cut heads to finish ripening.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The seed heads can be cut from the stalks when the seeds are fully developed but before they have turned brown.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: University of Wisconsin Extension (REF-3201). Single source -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Fern, Ken 'Anethum graveolens (Dill) — Useful Temperate Plants'. Available at: https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Anethum+graveolens Traditional / reference
    https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Anethum+graveolens
  12. University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension 'Dill, Anethum graveolens — Wisconsin Horticulture'. Available at: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dill-anethum-graveolens/ Traditional / reference
    https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dill-anethum-graveolens/
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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/
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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/

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. How this site is built.

Selected studies & references

ReviewThe effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) supplementation on lipid profile and glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials source↗ (2022)
RctThe effects of anethum graveolens (dill) powder supplementation on clinical and metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes source↗ (2020)
RctThe effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) powder supplementation on clinical and metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes source↗ (2020)
PreclinicalMetabolomic analysis of bioactive compounds in dill (Anethum graveolens L.) extracts source↗ (2025)
PreclinicalNeuroprotection by Anethum graveolens (Dill) Seeds and Its Phytocompounds in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cell Lines and Acellular Assays source↗ (2024)
PreclinicalAnti-Osteoporotic Potential of Water Extract of Anethum graveolens L. Seeds source↗ (2023)
PreclinicalAnethum graveolens Essential Oil Nanoemulsions (AGEO-NE) as an Exclusive Apoptotic Inducer in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells source↗ (2021)
PreclinicalAntihelminthic action of the Anethum graveolens essential oil on Haemonchus contortus eggs and larvae source↗ (2021)

All 18 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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