7 Amazing Uses Of Dill Essential Oil
Dill essential oil has at least ten different aromatic compounds. Dill weed oil and the dill seed oil have different chemical profiles, which vary based on the time of harvest, geographical location, isolation, and growth conditions. This essential oil ideally comes from the dill weed, which belongs to the same family as cumin and parsley. People have used the oil as far back as ancient Rome and Greece to add flavor to food and treat various illnesses.
The herby, fresh scent of the dill plant oil has, for a long time, been a secret weapon in the fragrance industry. Perfumes, soaps, and lotions have all been made using the oil as a part of their aroma profiles. It's also undeniably famous for helping turn the humble cucumber into a crunchy, tasty pickle. Additionally, it's widely used to flavor other foods in kitchens all around the world.
1Preventing The Growth Of Candida
Dill oil is effective in preventing fungal diseases, like candidiasis. According to recent research, dill essential oil induces apoptosis in the pathogen Candida albicans. Many kinds of fungi live in the human body, including Candida. It's a form of yeast that usually lives in small amounts in places like the belly or the mouth and even the skin without causing any serious problems.
However, if the conditions are right, the yeast can start multiplying and grow out of control. The resulting infection is referred to as candidiasis. It comes in many different types.
2Increasing The Production Of Breast Milk
The substances or agents that help increase the production of milk in the breasts are commonly known as galactagogues. They also play a role in improving the quality of the milk. These characteristics are very beneficial to lactating mothers as well as the overall health of the baby.
Dill essential oil is a renowned galactagogue. Aside from improving the secretion of breast milk, it helps the baby in other ways. For example, babies who are fed with their mother's milk may find themselves experiencing indigestion, flatulence, and gas. The digestive and carminative properties of dill essential oil are ideally absorbed in the milk and can, therefore, indirectly help the baby get rid of these problems.
3Keeping The Stomach Healthy
Dill essential oil is a great stomachic, which means that it's a substance that serves as a tonic, maintaining the proper functioning of the stomach and keeping it healthy. The oil helps in the regulation of bile and digestive juices in the stomach and works to maintain and keep the stomach in great shape. It can also prevent infections and aid in the healing of wounds in the stomach (ulcers) if there any present.
A condition such as bacterial gastroenteritis, which occurs when the bacteria in the stomach cause problems, can induce inflammation in both your stomach and your intestines. This might be followed by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramps. Although viruses are the popular culprits when it comes to gastrointestinal infections, infections caused by bacteria are also common.
4It Eliminates Flatulence
The oil is effective in handling gas problems. It not only works to get rid of the gas in the intestines, but it also prevents the formation of more gas. Plus, it relaxes the muscles in the abdominal region and gives gases a safe downward passage.
Keep in mind that experiencing chronic gas problems could be an indication of an underlying condition. This could be irritable bowel syndrome or even lactose intolerance. However, it's pretty common to experience some gas problems after eating a heavy meal, such as bloating, belching, flatulence, and burping.
5Alleviating Anxiety And Stress
The calming and sedating effects of the dill oil are beneficial to the nervous system and the brain, making the person feel a bit more relaxed and satisfied. It's also beneficial in relieving tension, anxiety, depression, anger, and high blood pressure. It can also help you get a good night's sleep.
Although anxiety affects people differently, everyone is vulnerable to this disorder. In fact, it's considered a physiological state of mind that's characterized by different components such as cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and somatic elements. And in our competitive world, anxiety has almost become a part of our daily lives. Many people are already dealing with anxiety-related disorders in varying severity.
6It Eases Digestion
Human beings have been using the dill seeds to help ease digestion and treat digestion issues for thousands of years. The digestive properties of the dill seeds are present in the dill essential oils. The oil helps enhance digestion by encouraging the release of various gastric juices and acids in the gut.
The aroma of the oil also stimulates the salivary glands, which is essential in the digestion of starch in the mouth. In addition, it enhances the peristaltic movements in the intestines, which works to advance the ingested food through the intestines. This helps facilitate digestion and prevent constipation and piles.
7It Relieves Spasms
Spasms are really irritating and can even be fatal in extreme cases. Spasms are a result of abnormal contractions in the intestines, respiratory tracts, nerves, or muscles. When they occur, they may result in nonstop cramps, coughs, hiccups, convulsions, muscle pulls, and epileptic attacks.
In extreme cases, the patient may experience acute pain in the intestines and may even run out of breath in the cases of hiccups and coughs, which may result in collapse. Such attacks could be pacified with the help of dill essential oil. Its calming and relaxing effects on the respiratory system, muscles, nerves, and intestines can be beneficial, and it can also pacify spasmodic attacks to offer quick relief.
The oil is commonly used for digestive problems, such as loss of appetite, constipation, and indigestion. Due to its carminative properties, it helps prevent gas formation in the intestines. It can also produce a soothing effect on the nervous system, which helps relieve depression and anxiety and reduce nervousness.
Dill seed essential oil is derived from the dried seed of the dill plant through steam distillation. The essential oil of dill weed is extracted from the stem and leaves of the plant via the same process. The best time to harvest is when the plant is about 105 days old, ideally when the seeds are immature, just after blooming. For the seed oil, the best time for harvest is when the seeds are fully mature (to avoid shattering) and during the morning hours, ideally when they are still damp with dew.