Biological source: Dill is the dried ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens, belonging to family Umbelliferae.

Geographical source: The plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean, South Russia, England, Germany and Roumania.

Macroscopic characters:

Dill usually consists of separate broadly oval mericarps, about 4 mm. long and 2 mm broud. They are dorsally compressed, the two ventral ridges being prolonged into membranous wings. The fruits have aromatic odour and taste

Chemical constituents:

• A dill fruit contains about 2-4 % volatile oil.

• Dill contain major components Carvone and Limonene.

• The other constituents of fruit are fixed oils and proteins.

• The seed oil of dill contains Dillapiol.

• The essential oil contains monoterpene and sesquiterpene derivative

  • • • • α-pinene,

        • α-terpinene,

        • Caryophyllene,

        • Myristincin,

        • δ- phellandrene and Euginol.

• In addition, the essential oil also contains

  • • • • Dihydrocarvone,

        • Carvacrol,

        • Dillapiol,

        • Safrol and thymol.

• A new Xanthone glycoside

  • • • • Dillanoside and

        • Pyranocoumarins such as

        • Scopoletin and

        • Graveolone, have also been reported from the fruits.

Uses:

• • Dill is used for preparation of gripe water

  • Nowadays, dill is scarcely used at all medicinal purpose.

  • Its principal use is as condiment in culineries, where its preservation properties is useful.

  • The essential oil has disinfectant and antispasmodic properties.

  • It relieves flatulence and promotes lactation.

  • The component dillapol present in the dill is considered to be poisonous.

References:

1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.

2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.

3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.

4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.

5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.

6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.