Chemical Properties
In North America, there are two forms of dill encountered: Dill weed oil (A. graveolens) and Dill seed oil (A. sowa
Robx.) (usually of Indian origin). Dill seed oil is also separately described under Dill Indian (see). (1) Dill weed oil: In the United
States, 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 distillation
of the fruits (seeds). The oil has a caraway-like odor and flavor because of the higher carvone content as compared to dill weed
oil.
Chemical Properties
Dill weed oil, which is the most important, is obtained by steam distillation
of the dill weed (herb) before the fruits becomemature. Itsmain constituents
are ??-phellandrene (10–20%), limonene (30–40%), carvone (30–40%), and
the so-called (+)-dill ether (up to 10%). The latter
is responsible for the typical organoleptic properties of the dill plant and,
thus, of dill weed oil. Annually, ～150 t are produced mainly in the United
States and Canada, smaller quantities come from Eastern Europe (Bulgaria,
Hungary, Ukraine).
Physical properties
Dill weed oil: American dill weed oil is a pale-yellow to yellow liquid. Dill seed oil: The oil is
a slightly yellow liquid.
Occurrence
Found in the plant of A . graveolens, L. (Fam. Umbelliferae) (Guenther, 1950).
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/ml
had a spasmolytic effect on smooth muscle (isolated rabbit and guinea-pig intestine and guinea-pig
lung) and a 5% emulsion in physiological saline given iv to cats at 5-10 mg/kg increased respiratory
volume and depressed blood pressure (Shipochliev, 1968). The spasmolytic effect was considered
to be chiefly myotropic.
In nearly 100 haemorrhoidal patients, one-third of whom were young, repeated oral doses and
nightly enemas of an aqueous infusion prepared from 20-25 g dill plant (A. graveolens) in 200-250 g
water 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.
