Dill essential oil has a plethora of medicinal uses, from calming the mind and body to repelling insects, aiding with sleep and treating acne. With that many good qualities, here are the Top 10 uses and benefits to incorporate Dill oil into your home aromatherapy practice and enhance your life and well-being.
Quick Facts about Dill:
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- It contains quite a bit of Calcium ¹.
- Good for digestion.
- Good for those who have sleep disorders.
- Good for boosting the immune system.
- Has anti-inflammatory properties.
Dill, the Herb
Dill is an herb in the family of Apeaceae, commonly known as the celery family. The plant features feathery leaves and grows best in hot, dry climates. It is native to Europe and Asia.
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Dill is known for its ability to enhance the flavor of various cuisines. Dill leaves and seeds are used in various food preparations from appetizers to main dishes. By using Dill in your recipe such as marinades, soups and salads, you can create a rich flavor and prove your culinary cooking skills! Dill is a versatile herb and has vitamins and minerals in its organic compound, which makes it beneficial overall.
Dill is also a good aid in preserving foods intended for future use. Any pickled root vegetable that is prepared in a home kitchen during fall harvest will very likely have Dill weed added into the recipe.
Aside from being a well known food additive in many types of cuisines, Dill has also been widely used as a medicinal plant for decades. In fact, it was one of the natural materials used by the people of ancient Egypt to preserve mummies.
Below are only few good benefits that we could acquire from Dill weed essential oil.
Dill, the Essential Oil
Dill essential oil is created from the distillation of either its seeds, or its weeds. In the former, the essential oil comes from the matured seeds, while the latter oils are extracted from fresh herbs. Both types of Dill are obtained through the process of steam distillation and most commonly, Dill weed is used to yield Dill Weed Essential Oil.
There are two sorts of dill oil called Dill Essential Oil and Dill Weed Oil. The two essential oil extracts differ in terms of color and smell, but both are very beneficial.
When you shop at your favorite essential oil brand, you’ll notice the name “Dill Weed” in the labeling. Is latin name is Anethum graveolens.
Dill essential oil is considered to be calming when used aromatically. The oil may be used in a diffuser or inhaled straight from the bottle, with both options offering aromatherapy advantages.
Top 10 Benefits of Dill Essential Oil
1. Aids digestive problems
For Indigestion: Dill essential oil helps in preventing gas formation in the intestines, so it is good for digestive problems like indigestion.
Pour two to three drops of Dill essential oil in your palm and massage it in your tummy every night before going to bed.
For constipation: Dill essential oil is a good aid for constipation because it contains enzymes that stimulate the digestive juices to more easily digest the food.
In the palm of your hand, dilute 2 drops of Dill essential oil into 1 tsp of carrier oil. Massage your tummy in a clock-wise motion after a meal or just before bedtime.
2. Can reduce depression
Experts at Green Med Info published a study about the wonderful benefits of Dill ². It found that Dill essential oil has an antidepressant component.
Massage a properly diluted amount of Dill essential oil onto your forehead up to your temples. For easiest topical application of essential oils, make a quick DIY roller bottle blend.
If you happen to not love the scent of dill oil, you can also use these other essential oils for depression.
3. Good for treating acne
Dill essential oil has an antimicrobial component and anti-inflammatory substance that helps to reduce the swelling and appearance of acne breakouts.
Put a small amount of diluted Dill essential oil on your finger tip and apply it directly on your acne before bedtime. The aroma of the oil is potent, so make sure you like the scent as it could last the whole night. Good thing Dill is also a sleep-aid (see next point)!
4. Repels bugs and lice
Dill oil is antimicrobial and anti-parasitic in nature, and may be a potent insecticide that can help protect the whole family from biting insects! Not only that, but it is also beneficial to keep insects away from stored food. Due to the mint like aroma of Dill essential oil, another benefit of Dill essential oil is that it could be used as a protection from head lice.
For insect repellant for the whole family, simply put two drops of Dill essential oil into an oil burner. On the other hand, as in insect repellent for stored foods just put three drops of Dill essential oil in a used tea bag and hang it inside your food cabinet. To combat head lice, rub dill essential oil diluted with your carrier oil of choice into the scalp two to three times a week.
5. Supports relaxation and sleep
One of the main chemical components of Dill essential oil is carvone ³, which has a relaxing effect on the human system. Carvone works best when you are feeling nervous or anxious, or fighting tension or anger. If you have insomnia or other sleep disorder, Dill essential oil is a really good choice for a home remedy because of its sedating effect that aids better relaxation and helps to make you fall asleep easier.
When you need help unwinding and getting to sleep, put a little amount of diluted Dill essential oil on the tip of your nose and on both temples. Use a roller bottle for quick access to properly diluted oils. You can find an easy tutorial on how to make an essential oil roller here. Or diffuse it in your diffuser.
- You might also like: 10 diffuser blends for better sleep
6. Helps eliminate odors
You may use Dill essential oil as an air freshener in your home, car, or office. Due to its own strong aroma, it is proven to combat other odors.
For home and office freshener, use Dill essential oil by simply putting 4-6 drops into an essential oil diffuser. Alternately, you may add Dill essential oil into a spray bottle and spray it inside your car. Try this DIY car freshener recipe here that you can adapt to use Dill essential oil.
7. Calms muscle cramps
Dill essential oil helps to calm and prevent muscle cramps. It is a good oil to have on hand for those who are athletic and love to work out!
Massage a diluted amount of Dill essential oil to the desired area before doing your workout. For a full-body muscle soothing massage, the massage should be done before bedtime. This way, the muscles can enjoy full relaxation and aromatherapy benefits.
8. Treats feelings of nausea
Dill essential oil could be used as treatment for nausea because it has a mint like aroma which helps our whole system to relax.
Put Dill essential oil into your personal inhaler or on a diffuser necklace and from time to time, deliberately inhale its scent to relax your mind.
9. Mild diuretic
The diuretic properties of dill essential oil aid the processes of perspiration and urination, helping to prevent a buildup of fluids and toxins in the body.
Add a few drops of the essential oil to a base oil blend to support your detox regimen. Massage into the abdomen area or add to a relaxing bath soak.
10. Promotes milk production for lactating mothers
Dill essential oil can boost milk production in lactating mothers. Together with assisting a mother within her production of milk, the oil is also used as a treatment for colic in babies. For more information on age-appropriate aromatherapy, please go here.
Use one drop of Dill essential oil and mixed it with your regular body lotion and massage into the breasts after feeding the baby.
Dill Oil Precautions
Though Dill essential oil has a lot of benefits, please discontinue using it if you notice any skin irritation. Avoid direct contact with the eyes and sensitive areas. For pregnant and lactating women, it is best to consult a physician prior to using aromatherapy home treatments.
Where to Buy Dill Essential Oil?
Not every essential oil brand will carry dill essential oil. If your favorite oil brand is a smaller company or start-up, you really might not find it in their assortment. It’s not an oil that sells like hot cakes. However, if you know how to use it and how to blend it, Dill is a fantastic addition to your essential oils medicine cabinet.
Here’s where to get it:
In Summary
While not the most common essential oil, Dill Weed essential oil is a fantastic ingredient in a hobby aromatherapist’s oils kit. Its strong aroma may not be everyone’s cup of tea; however, its beautiful medicinal properties may be able to convince you otherwise.
It blends well with other herbaceous notes such as Peppermint, Spearmint, Clary Sage and Juniper Berry. I also like to combine it with fruity notes like Bergamot and Lemon.
Dill essential oil is safe to purchase; and nontoxic and non-irritant in safe dilutions.
References
¹ What Is Dill Good For? Mercola.com
² Study: An extract of Dill had significant antidepressant and analgesic effects
³ ScienceDirect: Carvone, an Overview
Carole Kass
Thank you, Emma. Your information was so helpful. Is there a way I can contact you to get more answers to my questions?
Emma Carter
Hi Carole. Sure thing! You may contact me here. Chat soon! :)