Caraway (Carum carvi) vs Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Caraway (Carum carvi)

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

About

Caraway is an aromatic annual herb growing to 2 feet with a ridged stem, feathery leaves, and umbels of white flowers in midsummer. Exploding capsules release two small narrow seeds. It grows wild in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, preferring sunny sites up to 6,600 feet above sea level. Cultivated in Europe, Russia, North Africa, and the United States, the seeds are harvested ripe in late summer. Caraway has been valued since ancient times for its digestive and respiratory benefits, and the seeds are commonly used in cooking.

Dill is an aromatic annual growing to 30 inches with an erect hollow stem, feathery leaves, and numerous yellow flowers in umbels. Its very lightweight, pungent fruit (seeds) are harvested in late summer. Native to southern Europe and central and southern Asia, dill grows wild in open areas and is widely cultivated - notably in England, Germany, and North America. The leaves are picked as a culinary herb. An ancient Egyptian remedy in the Ebers papyrus (c. 1500 BCE) recommends dill as one of the ingredients in a pain-killing mixture. The ancient Greeks are believed to have covered their eyes with fronds of the herb to induce sleep. Dill was commonly used as a charm against witchcraft in the Middle Ages, when it was burned to clear thunderclouds. Its name comes from the Norse 'dylla,' meaning 'to soothe.'

Safety & precautions

Do not use the essential oil internally except under professional supervision. Generally considered safe when used as directed.

Take the essential oil internally only under professional supervision. Generally safe when used as directed.

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