 |
|
|
|
| Latin Names |
English Name |
Sanskrit Name |
Hindi Names |
Anethum graveolens
Linn.
/ Peucedanum graveolens Linn. / A. sowa Roxb. ex Flem.
|
Indian Dill
|
Satahva, Madhura |
Sotapa, Sowa |
|
| |
|
|
| History |
The dill seed
was much esteemed by Indians, who used it as a condiment and
medicine. An infusion of it was given as a cordial drink to
women after confinement. The leaves moistened with oil were
used as a poultice for suppurative skin conditions. It was an
excellent remedy, mostly given in the form of Dillwater, well
known to every English mother and nurse. Mahometan writers described
it as resolvent and deobstruent, carminative, diuretic and emmenagogue.
It also found mention in Persian literature.
|
 |
|
| Habitat |
It grows throughout
the tropical and sub-tropical parts in India. It is cultivated
throughout India chiefly in Punjab, Uttar-Pradesh, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Assam and West Bengal. It is sometimes found growing
as a weed of cultivation and even as an escape in irrigated
fields.
|
|
 |
|
|
| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
|
It is an annual, glabrous, aromatic herb, grows up to 1.2 m in
height. The leaves are decompound and ultimate segments filiform.
Flowers are pale yellow in compound umbels. Fruits are sub-elliptical,
dorsally compressed, glabrous, with 3 longitudinal ridges, winged,
with 2 mericarps. The mericarps remain joined together even under
stored conditions. Vittae with marginal walls appear irregularly
and have thickenings near the angles.
|
|
|
|
| Principal
Constituents |
|
The major constituent of the oil from the mericarp is carvone (19.5-69.7%).
|
|
|
| Pharmacology |
|
Carvone is reported to have carminative and antiseptic action1.
Plant showed appetite-stimulating property2.
|
|
|
|
| Toxiology |
|
Dill-apiol, one of the constituents, was reported to be toxic.
|
|
| Indications |
|
The fruit is hot and bitter. It is carminative, stomachic, digestive,
anti-flatulent and stimulant. It is used in digestive disorders.
|
|
|
| Product
Range |
|
Bonnisan, Digyton,
Erina, Erina Plus.
|
|
|
| References |
-
Harborne, B.J., 1999, Phytochemical Dictionary, Taylor and
Francis, London.
-
K'o Hsueh Nung Yeh, Chem. Abstr., 1980, 93, 210148 a.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
