Dill weed

The first-century Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed dill so frequently it was known for centuries as the herb of Dioscorides. The Romans chewed dill seeds to promote digestion, and they hung dill garlands in their dining halls, believing the herb would prevent stomach upset.

Traditional Chinese physicians have used dill as a digestive aid for more than 1,000 years.  They recommend it especially for children because its action was milder than that of other digestive herbs such as caraway, anise, and fennel.

The Vikings were well aware of dill's digestive benefits.  In fact, our word dill comes from the Old Norse dilla, meaning to lull or soothe.

Colonists brought dill to North America.  Its seed infusion, known as dill water, became a favorite among American folk healers for such childhood ailments as colic, cough, indigestion, gas, stomachache, and insomnia.  In adults, the herb was used to treat hemorrhoids, jaundice and scurvy.

Contemporary herbalists call dill "the herb of choice" for infant colic.  They recommend chewing the seeds for bad breath and drinking dill tea both as a digestive aid and to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers.