benefits of dill seeds

Dill or sowa is used in Ayurveda as a medicine for various diseases such as bronchitis ulcers spermatorrhoea cardiac disability fever gleet and syphilis. Dill or sowa is a small annual plant with smooth and fine leaves. The flowers are small yellow with elliptic and flat fruits. The plant is used in Ayurveda for various ailments such as digestive disorders diarrhoea dysentery respiratory disorders menstrual disorders and inflammation.

Dill or Sowa is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region but it also grows in regions such as India North Africa and in many tropical countries in the world. In India it is cultivated in many states ranging from Punjab Uttar Pradesh Gujarat and Maharashtra to Assam and West Bengal.

Investigations into the chemical composition of biochemicals present in Dill revealed the presence of A pinene A thujene o cymene B phellandrene limonene terpinolene undecane dill ether camphenol lilac alcohol B dihydroumbellulone myristicin apiol A selinene and phytol.

The extracts from dill or sowa were tested for their anti microbial properties on a wide range from bacteria and fungi. Sowa extracts were able to control the growth of bacteria and fungi to a significant extent.

Eating dill on a regular basis can keep your digestive system healthy. Ayurveda prescribes dill for digestive disorders in children as well as in adults. The essential oil obtained from the seeds can help in reducing hyperacidity flatulence and indigestion.

Dill seeds in dysentery and/or diarrhoea could reduce their effects. A teaspoon of dill seeds saut

Dill or sowa is very effective in controlling respiratory disorders such as cold influenza bronchitis and asthma. The seeds can be mixed with honey and taken thrice on a daily basis.

According to Ayurveda dill is good for increasing breast milk in nourishing mothers. It is also useful in preventing early ovulation and thereby acts as a good contraceptive.

A clinical trial on dill administration gave positive results in patients with oligomenorrhoea and other related diseases. Dill administration resulted in increased haemoglobin and subsequent reduction in oligomenorrhoea.

The monoterpene components of dill have been shown to activate the enzyme glutathione S transferase which helps attach the anti oxidant molecule glutathione to oxidized molecules that would otherwise do damage in the body. The activity of dill's volatile oils qualify it as a chemoprotective food (much like parsley) that can help neutralize particular types of carcinogens such as the benzopyrenes that are part of cigarette smoke charcoal grill smoke and the smoke produced by trash incinerators.