Dill: healthy spice with medicinal properties
There are many myths surrounding the spice plant dill: a bundle of dill under the pillow is said to help against nightmares, while the herb on the door is said to keep evil witches away. However, dill is primarily used to flavor dishes, especially cucumbers  . That is why this spice plant is often referred to as cucumber herb – a name that it shares with borage. Both the leaves and the seeds of the dill can be used as a spice. How healthy is dill, what ingredients does the plant contain and can you freeze or dry dill?
Dill: healthy thanks to valuable ingredients
Dill has a slightly sweet flavor , with the fresh herb tasting sweeter than the dried seeds. These have a rather sharp taste. On average, 100 grams of fresh dill contains 0.8 grams of fat, 3.7 grams of protein  and 8 grams of carbohydrates.
In addition, dill contains the following vitamins and minerals per 100 grams :
- 50 milligrams of vitamin C
- 1.1 milligrams of Vitamin A
- 1.7 milligrams of vitamin E
- 647 milligrams of potassium
- 230 milligrams of calcium
In addition, dill contains essential oils that contribute significantly to its healthy effects.
Dill with healing properties
The healing properties of dill are somewhat less well known today compared to other plants with a similar effect (such as aniseed or caraway ). However, the spice is still used as a remedy for loss of appetite, but also for stomach problems, flatulence  and menstrual cramps  . Here, in particular, the tea  made from dill seeds is used.
The content of essential oils is decisive for the use of dill as a medicinal plant: Carvone and limonene in particular are found in the leaves and seeds. Both plant substances are said to have an antispasmodic effect. This effect on the intestines and stomach has already been demonstrated in animal experiments.
Other areas of application of dill in folk medicine are psychological complaints such as insomnia and inner restlessness. Dill is also said to promote milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
Dill has no known side effects. Like all foods, however, dill leaves and seeds should not be consumed in excess.
Dill tea and dill wine to relieve discomfort
Stomach discomfort is best relieved with a dill tea. The crushed seeds of the dill are used for the tea. Five grams are infused with 100 milliliters of hot water and then left to infuse for five to ten minutes.
On the other hand, it is not tea that should help against problems falling asleep, but a glass of dill wine. To make the dill wine, a glass of white wine is heated and then poured over a teaspoon of dill seeds. Allow the wine to steep for a few minutes and then drain. The dill wine should be enjoyed in small sips. Here, too, tea can of course be used as a non-alcoholic version. A glass of warm milk  flavored with dill is also worth trying.
Buy, freeze or dry dill
Dill can be bought commercially both as a plant in a pot and as a cut bunch. Wrapped in foil in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, the stalks stay fresh for a day or two. However, it is best to use chopped dill on the same day.
The finely branched tips of the dill can be frozen well, for example in a freezer-safe container. Fresh dill is not suitable for drying, as the herb loses too much of its aroma.
The seeds, on the other hand, can be dried well. To do this, you can simply remove them from the stems over a sieve by shaking them vigorously. After that, the seeds can be dried in a sunny and dry place for about a week. You can then store them in an opaque box.
Spicy recipes with dill
Along with other herbs such as thyme , basil, rosemary, marjoram and tarragon, dill is part of the basic equipment of every kitchen. When cooking, it is mainly used as a spice for pickled or fresh cucumbers, as well as for fish or salads. The combination of cucumber salad with dill is particularly popular.
It is also often used to flavor sauces. You can easily prepare dill sauces yourself, for example with this recipe for a delicious honey mustard dill sauce:
- Mix together eight tablespoons of honey , one tablespoon of vinegar, and four tablespoons of mustard.
- Then stir 100 milliliters of oil into the sauce.
- Pluck the dill tips from the stalks, leaving about 3 tablespoons of dill. Chop it up and add it to the sauce.
- Then season with salt  and pepper.
In addition, dill is also used in the preparation of fish and meat. The dill tips are usually used for seasoning, but the leaves are preferred for fish dishes.
Basically, dill should never be boiled or fried when preparing the food, otherwise it loses its aroma.
Plant and harvest dill
Dill is a spice plant and belongs to the umbelliferae family. The plant originally comes from the Near East, but is now cultivated all over the world. The spice plant was already used in ancient Greece and in ancient Rome. Dill can be grown both outdoors and in a greenhouse. Moist, warm soils are perfect for cultivation. Waterlogging should be avoided.
You don’t need a garden to grow dill. You can also grow the spice in a pot in the kitchen or on the balcony. If dill is grown indoors, the plant should be located by the window.
The dill harvest can start in spring. Basically, dill can be harvested throughout the summer. If you want to use the seeds, you should wait until they have turned light brown. Then you can cut off the inflorescences and seeds.
Incidentally, the umbel-shaped flowers of dill are very popular with bees. So you should leave them there for as long as possible. This does not affect the taste of the plant.
