Dill

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Dill is the only one a kind of plant in which both its leaves and seeds are used as a spice. Dill has green leaves that are small, resembling a fern and have a soft, sweet taste. Dried fennel seeds are light brown in color and oval in shape. The seeds are similar in taste to cumin, they are fragrant and sweet, but also with a slightly bitter taste.

Dill is part of the Umbelliferae family, whose members also include parsley, cumin and bay leaf.

The name dill comes from the old Norwegian word dilla, which means soothe. This name reflects the traditional one use of dill both as a means of removing gas from the stomach and as a means of relieving insomnia.

History of fennel

The origin of dill originates from southern Russia, West Africa and the Mediterranean region. It has been used for its culinary and healing properties for thousands of years. Dill is mentioned in both the Bible and the ancient Egyptian scriptures. It was popular in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where it was accepted as a sign of wealth and was revered for its many healing properties. Dill has been used since Hippocrates, the father of medicine, in a recipe for cleaning the mouth.

Today, fennel is a significant spice in the culinary arts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Central Europe, North Africa and Russia.

Composition of dill

Fennel seeds are a very good source of calcium and a good source of minerals, manganese and iron. Dill contains two unique types of healing components: monoterpenes, including carvone, lemon and anetofuran, and flavonoids, including kaempferol and visenin. 2 g of dill contain 5.06 calories and 0.40 g of protein.

Selection and storage of dill

Whenever possible, it is good to choose fresh dill over its dried form, as it has a higher fragrant taste. Fresh fennel leaves should look loose and green in color to be of good quality.

Fresh dill should always be stored in the refrigerator or wrapped in a damp cloth or with stems placed in a container with water. As it is very fragile, even if stored properly, dill will stay fresh for only about two days.

Another option is to lightly spray the dill stalks with water, then wrap them loosely in kitchen paper and close them in a plastic box or envelope, which are placed in the refrigerator. Thus, dill can stay fresh for up to a week or longer.

You can also trim the dill stalks at the bottom and put them in a glass of cold water, lightly wrap the dill stalks with damp kitchen paper, and then wrap the top loosely with a plastic bag or envelope. This way the dill will be ready for storage in the refrigerator and will not absorb the smell of the other products in it.

Dill can also be stored frozen, whole or sliced, in an airtight container. Well washed and shaken from the water, the dill is placed in an upright position in a plastic bag with a zipper and is ready for freezing. Fresh dill can be frozen for up to two months, but its green color will darken afterwards. It is not necessary to thaw fennel stalks before use.

Dried fennel seeds should be kept tightly closed in a glass container in a cool, dry and dark place where they will remain fresh for about six months.

Cooking with dill

As it became clear from the introductory sentence, all parts of dill come into use. In the fresh state, finely chopped tender stalks are an indispensable part of a number of spring dishes. Dill is very suitable for flavoring tarator, soups, green salads, cottage cheese, cheese, fish, sauces, boiled mutton or beef.

The taste of dill goes very well with all kinds of potato dishes - baked, fried or boiled. Peas, green beans and mushrooms also acquire a very fresh taste thanks to dill.

A very important detail in the use of dill is that it should not be boiled with the dish, so as not to lose its great flavor. Dill combines very well with lemon, onion, garlic and pepper.

The flowers of dill put in pickles, pickles, canned fish and various marinades. In some parts of our country its seeds are used to season vine sarma.

It is interesting that in Swedish cuisine dill is what red pepper is for us - a very respected and used spice. In Moldovan and Russian cuisines, dill is a very favorite flavor for seasoning salads, soups and various meat dishes.

Benefits of dill

The unique benefits for our health come from the two types of healing components of fennel that it contains, namely monoterpenes and flavonoids and in general are:

- Protection against free radicals and carcinogens. Monoterpenes have been shown to activate the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which helps attach the antioxidant molecule glutathione to oxidant molecules that would otherwise harm the body. The volatile oils contained in fennel can help neutralize certain types of carcinogens.

- Dill has antibacterial action;

- Dill helps prevent bone loss; Dill, as a very excellent source of calcium, plays an important role in reducing bone loss that occurs after menopause and in some medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis;

- Dill increases the flow of milk during breastfeeding. It is also useful for nausea, has a vasodilating and analgesic effect. Decoction of fennel or its seeds dilates blood vessels, reduces high blood pressure, relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestine.

Harm from dill

Consumption of dill not recommended for people suffering from acute inflammation of the intestines and stomach, because it increases the acidity.

Dill tea

Dill is part of the family Apiaceae, as a herbaceous plant, annual, vegetable, with special therapeutic value. Cultivated since ancient times by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, the plant is known throughout the world today. In traditional medicine, fennel seeds are used because of their estrogenic properties, and are recommended to correct the estrogen deficiency that occurs in women. Fennel tea enlarges the breasts, accelerates hair growth, softens the skin), prolonging a woman's biological youth.

Actions of fennel tea:

Stimulates and harmonizes the activity of the reproductive system in women, activates the menstrual cycle), stimulates the secretion of milk in lactating women. It acts as a digestive tonic, gastric, carminative, antispastic, diuretic.

Contributes to:

- normal functioning of the female hormonal system;

- normalization of milk secretion in the lattice;

- normal functioning of digestion;

- reduction of spasms that occur in the digestive tract.

Dill tea is used as an adjunct in: amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), hypogalactia (small amount of milk secretion), dysmenorrhea (irregular and painful menstrual cycle), infertility in women, premature menopause, breast hypoplasia, indigestion (bloating), digestive spasms.

Contraindications to fennel tea:

Hypermenorrhea, ovarian cysts, breast nodules, benign and malignant tumors, breast or genital, pregnancy, allergy to dill.

Reception

- dust - the plant is finely ground with an electric grinder. Take one teaspoon shaved 4 times a day on an empty stomach. The powder is kept under the tongue for 10-15 minutes, then swallowed with water.

- one teaspoon of the upper part of the plant is added to 250 ml of water, kept for 6-8 hours at room temperature, then filtered and drunk on an empty stomach. Apply 3 cups of maceration per day for 30 minutes. before eating.

- Dill infusion - is prepared from a teaspoon, the upper part of the plant is added to 250 ml of boiling water, kept for 15 minutes at room temperature, then filtered and drunk on an empty stomach. Apply 3 cups of infusion per day for 30 minutes before eating.

Dill oil

Fennel essential oil is obtained from dried fennel seeds and is rich in nutrients that have a positive effect on our health.

It helps with muscle, abdominal, respiratory or intestinal spasms. Fennel essential oil soothes spasms, regardless of their nature, relieving episodes of cough, hiccups, muscle aches or abdominal pain. Dill oil has a relaxing effect that heals and prevents spasms.

In addition, fennel terry oil facilitates digestion by stimulating digestive juices. It also stimulates the salivary glands, which also contributes to good digestion.

It has also been shown to cure problems such as bloating or flatulence, but can also prevent them.

Dill essential oil It is also used because of its disinfectant properties. If you add it to salads, it protects you from microbial infections. It also promotes the treatment of infections in the colon, urinary tract, kidneys and genitals. If used for external use, fennel essential oil protects wounds, preventing infection and accelerating their healing. Fennel oil can be applied as such or diluted with water if you have sensitive skin.