7 Benefits Of Using Dill Essential Oil
Once believed to be a magic potion, dill essential oil has done wonders for all ages, from mothers who want to increase their milk production to babies who are dealing with colic. In ancient times, the Romans topically applied dill oil before charging into battle. They believed that it would help reduce anxiety and nervousness.
Dill oil was also believed to have the ability to protect against witchcraft, and it was widely used as an ingredient in many love potions. Presently, the oil is renowned for its versatility; it has many beneficial properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Dill essential oil is commonly used for digestive support, particularly to alleviate indigestion and constipation.
1Helps Alleviate Spasms
Spasms are really irritating and can be fatal in extreme cases. Spasms are unwanted and abnormal contractions that occur either in the muscles, nerves, respiratory tracts, or intestines. The spasms could result in uncontrollable hiccups, convulsions, coughs, cramps, muscle pulls, and epileptic attacks.
In extreme cases of hiccups and coughs, the patient may run out of breath and may even collapse. Dill essential oil can help relieve such attacks of spasms. Its calming effect on the nervous system, respiratory system, intestines, and muscles allows it to pacify various kinds of spasmodic attacks and, therefore, provide quick relief.
2Has Various Uses
The oil is helpful in easing constipation and in the treatment of colic. Along with being helpful in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, it has a number of uses in agriculture. For instance, it helps protect crops, like rapeseed, from microbial infection. Dill oil also helps prevent fungal disease on the oilseed crops, which is typically caused by a fungus known as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
While the oil is beneficial to nursing mothers, it should be avoided altogether by pregnant mothers. It can blend well with lemon, lime, orange, and other citrus fruits. It also works well when used with nutmeg, caraway, and bergamot essential oils.
3Healing And Protection Against Infection
Dill oil is quite popular for its antiseptic properties. When it's added in food, it prevents the growth of microbes, thereby protecting it from getting spoiled. When consumed, it helps cure the microbial infection in the kidneys, colon, genitals, and urinary tract. When topically applied, the oil protects the skin from microbial infection and aids in the healing of wounds. In its diluted form, the dill oil can be applied on the scalp to help protect it from lice infestation.
The oil is also beneficial to the skin. The skin has to deal with various attacks, both externally and internally. It's also vulnerable to physical damage, extreme temperatures, radiation, fluctuations in moisture levels, among other factors. It, therefore, needs all the help it can get from healthy tools and nutrients.
4Improves The Production Of Breast Milk
Dill essential oil is a galactagogue. This is a substance that boosts the formation of milk in the mother's breasts. It also helps enhance the quality of the milk, which is beneficial to both the mother and the child.
The oil is also helpful to the baby in that it can help them digest the milk better. Keep in mind that babies who feed on their mother's milk may often experience indigestion, flatulence, and gas. Fortunately, some of the digestive and carminative properties of the oil are absorbed in the milk and can help the baby indirectly to alleviate such problems.
5Relieves Excess Gas
The oil is effective in handling excess gas. It helps get rid of the excess gas from the intestinal tract and prevents the further formation of gas. In addition, it relaxes the abdominal muscles to provide a safe passage for the gas to exit.
It's important to know that chronic gas problem might indicate the presence of an underlying digestive condition, like lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. However, excess gas is quite common, especially after eating a lot of food. It's perfectly normal to pass it out through flatulence or belching.
6Relieving Anxiety And Stress
The sedating and calming effect of the oil is quite beneficial to both the brain and the nervous system and ideally makes a person feel more satisfied and relaxed. It's beneficial in alleviating anger, tension, depression, anxiety, and blood pressure. Furthermore, the calming effect will ensure a good, restful night's sleep.
The impact of anxiety varies based on the individual, but everyone is susceptible to developing this disorder. Anxiety is regarded as one of the physiological states of the mind and is characterized by different components such as behavioral, somatic, emotional, and cognitive elements. The modern world is highly competitive, and it's perhaps the reason why anxiety has almost become a part of our lives. These days, many people are experiencing anxiety disorders of different types and severity.
7Preventing Stomach Disorders
A stomachic is a substance or agent that serves as a tonic to maintain the proper functioning of the stomach and keep it healthy. Dill oil is a renowned stomachic that regulates the bile and other digestive juices in the stomach and works to keep it in proper shape. The oil also protects it from microbial infections and aids in the healing of wounds or ulcers in the stomach.
An example of a condition that causes inflammation in the gut is bacterial gastroenteritis. This may bring along symptoms like severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. And while viruses are the most common cause of most gastrointestinal infections, bacteria are also common culprits.
Dill essential oil is extracted through the steam distillation of the dill plant. The plant has two variants: the European dill (Anethum graveolens) and the Indian dill (Anethum sowa). The European dill is cultivated in Germany, Turkey, England, Romania, Russia, and the USA. The Indian dill is cultivated all over India as a cold-weather crop.
Dill oil can be categorized into two types: dill weed oil and dill seed oil. The weed oil is derived from the steam distillation of fresh herbs, while the seed oil is derived from mature dill seeds. Both types of oil differ in color and odor. The seed oil is usually light-brownish to yellowish in color, while the dill weed oil is yellow to pale yellow liquid. The essential oil of dill seed is known for its aroma, which is similar to caraway due to a higher content of carvone than in that of dill weed; on the other hand, the essential oil of dill weed has a strong, spicy, and fresh aromatic scent.