| Chemical Properties | Dill weed oil, which is the most important, is obtained by steam distillationof the dill weed (herb) before the fruits becomemature. Itsmain constituentsare ??-phellandrene (10–20%), limonene (30–40%), carvone (30–40%), andthe so-called (+)-dill ether (up to 10%). The latteris responsible for the typical organoleptic properties of the dill plant and,thus, of dill weed oil. Annually, ～150 t are produced mainly in the UnitedStates and Canada, smaller quantities come from Eastern Europe (Bulgaria,Hungary, Ukraine). |
| Chemical Properties | In North America, there are two forms of dill encountered: Dill weed oil (A. graveolens) and Dill seed oil (A. sowaRobx.) (usually of Indian origin). Dill seed oil is also separately described under Dill Indian (see). (1) Dill weed oil: In the UnitedStates, the essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh herb (stalks, leaves and seeds). American dill weed has a strong,fresh, somewhat spicy, aromatic odor and a warm, slightly burning taste. (2) Dill seed oil: Dill seed oil is obtained by steam distillationof the fruits (seeds). The oil has a caraway-like odor and flavor because of the higher carvone content as compared to dill weedoil. |
| Physical properties | Dill weed oil: American dill weed oil is a pale-yellow to yellow liquid. Dill seed oil: The oil isa slightly yellow liquid. |
| Occurrence | Found in the plant of A . graveolens, L. (Fam. Umbelliferae) (Guenther, 1950). |
| Uses | flavors and fragrances |
| Preparation | By steam distillation of the freshly cut plants of A . graveolens L. (Guenther, 1950). |
| Definition | Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Anethum graveolens, Umbelliferae. |
| Essential oil composition | Dill seed oil: Limonene (5.9%), α-pinene (1.3%), γ-terpinene (0.1%), decanal (0.2%), terpinen-4-ol (0.1%),β-elemene (0.1%), cis-dihydrocarvone and caryophyllene (0.8%), trans-hydrocarone (16.6%), carvone (20.9%), dillapiole (52.5%).
Dill weed oil: The major constituents are carvone (35%), limonene (25%), α-phellandrene (29%), 3,7-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrocoumaran(2.9%). In addition, myristicin, dillapiole and unidentified waxes have been reported. |
| Pharmacology | Dill oil from parts of the A . graveolens plant at concentrations of 50-100 μg/mlhad a spasmolytic effect on smooth muscle (isolated rabbit and guinea-pig intestine and guinea-piglung) and a 5% emulsion in physiological saline given iv to cats at 5-10 mg/kg increased respiratoryvolume and depressed blood pressure (Shipochliev, 1968). The spasmolytic effect was consideredto be chiefly myotropic.
In nearly 100 haemorrhoidal patients, one-third of whom were young, repeated oral doses andnightly enemas of an aqueous infusion prepared from 20-25 g dill plant (A. graveolens) in 200-250 gwater caused complete and lasting reduction of venous knots in 2-3 wk (Freise, 1938). |
| Safety Profile | Mildly toxic by ingestion. A skin irritant. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes. |
