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Dill Seed

Anethum graveolens
Evidence Level
Limited
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Dill seed, the dried fruit of the Mediterranean herb Anethum graveolens, has been used as a culinary spice and gentle digestive remedy for centuries. The volatile oil is rich in carvone and limonene, while the seed also provides flavonoids, coumarins, and small amounts of minerals. In modern functional-nutrition use, dill seed is most commonly featured as a carminative for occasional bloating and gas, and standardized extracts have been studied in small Iranian randomized trials for lipid metabolism and glycemic markers in patients with hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Evidence in humans remains modest, with a meta-analysis suggesting a small LDL-cholesterol benefit.

Studied Dose Dill tablet 1-1.5 g/day or dill extract 650 mg/day for 8-12 weeks in lipid and glycemic trials.
Active Compound Essential oil (carvone, limonene, α-phellandrene), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), coumarins, and dietary fiber.

Benefits

Traditional Digestive Support

Dill seed is a classic culinary carminative used to help ease occasional bloating, fullness, and gas after meals, supporting overall digestive comfort as part of a balanced diet.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

May Support Healthy Lipid Profiles

Small randomized trials and a recent meta-analysis suggest dill supplementation may modestly help support healthy LDL-cholesterol levels already within the normal range when used consistently over weeks to months.

Supported by Trial 3

Helps Support Glycemic Balance

In adults with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, dill powder supplementation has been studied for its potential to help support healthier fasting blood-glucose and lipid markers as part of a comprehensive lifestyle plan.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 2

Provides Aromatic Antioxidant Phytochemicals

The volatile oil and flavonoid fraction contribute carvone, limonene, and quercetin-class polyphenols that offer broad-spectrum antioxidant support in the diet.

Mechanism of action

1

Smooth-Muscle Relaxation in Gut

Carvone and limonene from dill essential oil have antispasmodic effects on intestinal smooth muscle in preclinical models, consistent with the herb's traditional carminative use for cramping and gas.

2

Modulation of Lipid Metabolism

Animal data suggest dill extract may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity and upregulate LDL-receptor expression, providing a plausible mechanism for the small LDL-lowering signal seen in human trials.

3

Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Handling

Preclinical work indicates dill phytochemicals can support insulin signaling and reduce oxidative stress in pancreatic and hepatic tissues, which may help support glycemic balance in humans with metabolic dysfunction.

Clinical trials

1
Dill in Hyperlipidemia vs Gemfibrozil

Randomized clinical trial; dill tablets (six tablets daily) vs gemfibrozil 900 mg/day for 2 months

91 adults with hyperlipidemia

Both interventions were associated with improvement in lipid markers; dill was associated with reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride from baseline, smaller in magnitude than the pharmaceutical comparator but with a favorable tolerability profile.

2
12-Week Dill Extract in Metabolic Syndrome

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; dill extract vs placebo for 3 months

24 adults meeting ATP III metabolic syndrome criteria

Triglyceride values improved from baseline within the dill group, but between-group differences vs placebo for the composite metabolic syndrome markers did not reach statistical significance, illustrating the modest magnitude of effect.

3
Meta-Analysis of Dill on Lipids and Glycemia

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of A. graveolens supplementation

330 pooled participants across seven RCTs

Pooled analysis suggested a small but statistically significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol with dill supplementation, with neutral or inconsistent effects on other lipid and glycemic markers.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated at culinary and supplemental doses in healthy adults.
Mild GI upset, heartburn, or nausea are occasionally reported.
Topical or oral contact dermatitis can occur in sensitive individuals.
Pregnancy data are limited — culinary use is acceptable but concentrated extracts are not advised.

Important Drug interactions

May have additive effects with prescription lipid-lowering or glucose-lowering medications.
Theoretical additive risk with diuretics due to mild diuretic activity reported preclinically.
Discuss high-dose extracts with a clinician if you take chronic prescription therapy.

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Frequently asked questions about Dill Seed

What is dill seed used for?

Dill seed is a culinary spice used medicinally for digestive comfort, particularly gas and colic, and traditionally to support milk production in breastfeeding. Like fennel and caraway, it is a carminative.

Does dill help with digestion or colic?

Dill is a traditional carminative used to ease gas, bloating, and cramping, and dill (or gripe-water preparations containing dill) has long been used for infant colic. It also freshens breath.

How much dill should I take?

It is used as a tea, as seeds, or culinarily; follow product labeling for extracts. Culinary and tea amounts are typical.

Is dill safe?

Dill is generally very safe as a food and herb. Concentrated dill oil should be used cautiously. As with related seeds, those with hormone-sensitive conditions should be moderate with high-dose concentrated forms.

What is Dill Seed?

Dill seed, the dried fruit of the Mediterranean herb Anethum graveolens, has been used as a culinary spice and gentle digestive remedy for centuries. The volatile oil is rich in carvone and limonene, while the seed also provides flavonoids, coumarins, and small amounts of minerals.

What is the recommended dosage of Dill Seed?

The clinically studied dose is Dill tablet 1-1.5 g/day or dill extract 650 mg/day for 8-12 weeks in lipid and glycemic trials. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Dill Seed safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Dill Seed is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated at culinary and supplemental doses in healthy adults. Mild GI upset, heartburn, or nausea are occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Dill Seed is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Dill Seed interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May have additive effects with prescription lipid-lowering or glucose-lowering medications. Theoretical additive risk with diuretics due to mild diuretic activity reported preclinically. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Dill Seed?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Dill Seed as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 3 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Mirhosseini M, Baradaran A, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Anethum graveolens and hyperlipidemia: a randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(8):758-61.PubMedUsed to support: RCT in 91 hyperlipidemic adults comparing dill tablet vs gemfibrozil over 2 months, showing dill-associated reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides from baseline.
  2. Mansouri M, Nayebi N, Keshtkar A, et al. The effect of 12 weeks Anethum graveolens (dill) on metabolic markers in patients with metabolic syndrome; a randomized double blind controlled trial. Daru. 2012;20(1):47. doi: 10.1186/2008-2231-20-47.PubMedUsed to support: 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled RCT of dill extract in metabolic syndrome patients showing within-group TG improvement but limited between-group differences.
  3. Mousavi SM, Pizarro AB, Akhgarjand C, et al. The effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) supplementation on lipid profile and glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(21):5705-5716. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1889459.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs (n=330) reporting a small but statistically significant LDL-cholesterol reduction with dill supplementation.