Benefits of Dill

Contributed by: Carol Kline

Dill is probably best known for pickles, but there are other uses for this delicious and healthy herb.  Did you know dill contains iron, vitamin C, manganese, calcium, and magnesium?  It is available in leaves and seeds.  The seeds have a stronger flavor than the leaves and tastes similar to caraway seeds.

It’s been reported that dill offers relief for a wide variety of stomach ailments, including gas, diarrhea, and even ulcers.  Sometimes it’s recommended to help with insomnia.  Just take 2 teaspoons of crushed dill seeds in a cup of hot water and make a tea out of it.  You can also chew dill seeds to freshen breath, clean your mouth, AND help with digestion after a meal.

Try using it in your cooking.  Dill is especially good with salmon, chicken and eggs.  Please note, one tablespoon of dill seed is equal to about three heads of fresh or dill weed.  If you’re cooking with dill, be sure to add it at the end of the cooking process to protect its flavor.