Bet you didnt know that Dill is a close relative of the carrot, it has a similar long taproot as well as a delicate fast growing spindly stem. Dill will grow quickly from seed, best sown in early spring. In a sunny location and in an moist acidic soil, the plant will grow to 3 feet and once established are easily harvested. They can be harvested after about two months, but I would suggest leaving some in the garden to ensure a fresh supply of this wonderful herb all year round.
Records from Egyptian tombs 3000 years ago show that Dill was being used as a digestive aid and a remedy for gas. Dioscorides, a first century Greek physician prescribed the herb so frequently that it was known as the "herb of Dioscorides". The Romans chewed the herb to promote digestion and it has been used in China to similar affect for at least 1000 years. The word Dill comes from the Viking word, Dilla, which means "to soothe" which shows that they were also aware of its properties. When the puritan settlers took the plant to North America it was given to children to chew during long sermons and aquired the name "meetin` seed"
As well as the digestive and gas remedies which have been apparent to all cultures throughout the ages, Dill seems defeat certain bacteria, especially those that cause infectious diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Adding Dill to your bath may help to defeat the E.coli that causes UTI and is a totally safe way of using the herb. Dill is also being tested for its properties regarding the reducing high blood pressure.
The Leaves can be chewed as a breath freshener, or an infusion made of a small amount of the seed in boiling water will aid gas and digestive problems. Use weaker solutions for the young or the old, though Dill is a very safe plant to use. The leaf and seed are considered non-toxic but in some more sensitive individuals a slight rash is the only found side effect.
Dill in the house is meant to clear the mind and discourage negativity, and is particularly associated with Midsummer and Beltane when it is thrown onto the bonfires or added to the handfasting cup.
Dill is best known today for its use in preserving pickles, a use that was known through out the ages and was wide spread in the pre refridgerator days. So basically its an easy to grow and quick result garden plant with lots of uses in medicine and cooking.
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I did not know about it helping out with UTI. Though I would think you would come out of the bath smelling like a pickle. Scott
HotBabes 08.12.2004 19:29
Must admit I've never stopped to think about the history or the actual plant but I know now! Very interesting read :-) Lynn
queen_rain 08.12.2004 11:38
I find this review informative and entertainingly written, but I would have liked it to be more of a real 'review', i.e. about your own experience with dill. What problems did you experience, and what solutions did you discover? Where do you get your dill plants or seeds, and if you have bought from more than one supplier, how do they compare?
Advantages: lovely delicate leaves and great to eat. Disadvantages: You have to wait, you can't start eating them as soon as they poke out of the soil!
Bryn_Pearson 25.05.2001 (05.06.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Dill
Advantages: lovely delicate leaves and great to eat. Disadvantages: You have to wait, you can't start eating them as soon as they poke out of the soil!
Bryn_Pearson 25.05.2001 (05.06.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Dill
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