Dill - a versatile medicinal herb

Dill is a very familiar herb used in many dishes because it is both fragrant and masks fishy odors. Besides its use as a culinary spice, dill also has many benefits in preventing diseases.

Also known as dill; scientific name Anathum graveolens, family Apiaceae. It is grown from seeds, and its stems and leaves are used as a spice. It is an herbaceous plant, 60-80 cm tall. Leaves are alternate, with sheaths that are triply pinnately lobed. The inflorescence is a compound umbel consisting of 5-15 small umbels with yellow flowers, growing at the tips of branches and in the leaf axils. The fruit and leaves contain essential oils that stimulate digestion, strengthen the spleen and stomach, promote menstruation, and are diuretic and lactation-boosting. Dill is grown throughout Vietnam, mainly for its leaves which are used in cooking with fish. The fruit is used in medicine.

In the flavoring industry, dill fruit is used in combination with other fruits such as coriander to fragrance tea. Dill fruit is used to treat the following ailments:

- For indigestion, bloating, vomiting, and hiccups: Brew 10g of seeds and drink the decoction.

- High blood pressure and atherosclerosis leading to headaches and difficulty sleeping: crush 5g of fennel seeds; decoct and drink twice a day; drink continuously for many days to reduce cholesterol in the blood.

- For nephritis, bladder stones, and kidney stones: crush 5g of fennel seeds and steep them like tea; drink 5-6 times a day.

- Low milk production: Brew 10g of fennel seeds and drink daily.

- Treating respiratory illnesses: In cases of colds, flu, or bronchitis. Use about 60g of seeds, steep in boiling water, filter the liquid, mix with honey, and drink three times a day.

- Treating menstrual disorders: Dill has a stimulating and regulating effect on the menstrual cycle. It reduces pain in cases of dysmenorrhea in young women and in cases of amenorrhea caused by anemia, colds, or pregnancy. Mix 60g of dill leaf extract with 1 teaspoon of parsley juice and drink three times a day.

- Treating bad breath: Chewing fennel seeds daily can improve breath, making it fresher.

According to Health & Life