Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual plant and belongs to the umbellifer family. Primarily known for its use as a culinary herb, dill is also commonly used for various ailments of the gastrointestinal tract.
Dill extract - relaxes the muscles of your patients' gastrointestinal tract
27 March 2023 — by Linn Masch
The gastrointestinal patient greets us every day: patients with flatulence, tense abdominal muscles or recurring gastrointestinal complaints. Dill can be used to alleviate these symptoms. The components of dill can have a positive effect on the smooth muscles of the internal organs.
Ein natürlicher Inhaltsstoff, der bei Beschwerden des Magen-Darm-Traktes Einsatz findet: Dill.
What's inside... Ingredients:
- Essential oil: carvone
- Coumarins
- Flavonoids
- Monoterpenes
- Bulk elements: potassium, calcium, sodium
- Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, A, C and E
Dill consists of essential oil, of which carvone makes up the largest proportion and therefore has a significant influence on the effect of dill. Carvone is a terpene and belongs to the subgroup of monoterpenes, which are molecules made up of hydrocarbon compounds. Coumarins are secondary plant substances and are therefore responsible for the aromatic substances in dill. Both synthetic and naturally occurring coumarin derivatives can act as anticoagulants.
Dill also contains flavonoids, which are mainly responsible for protecting against free radicals. It likewise contains numerous bulk elements and vitamins, key among which are chloride, potassium and sodium. They serve numerous processes in the organism, such as maintaining osmotic pressure and the acid-base balance. Calcium is a component of many reactions in the extracellular and intracellular space. Above all, it acts as a building block in muscle contraction, various signaling cascades, the stimulation of the coagulation cascade and the complement system.
What it does... Effect
The ingredient carvone is part of the essential oil and offers several mechanisms for influencing the gastrointestinal tract. Carvone can stimulate the gastric mucosa, which can lead to increased vagal tone and thus to an increase in contractions. This explains the flatulent effect of dill. At the same time, carvone can increase the secretion of gastric juice by activating the vagus nerve. Carvone also has a spasmolytic effect on the smooth muscles of the internal organs and can influence the proliferation of intestinal bacteria through its antiseptic effect. These properties can stimulate the digestive process. Carvone also has an antimicrobial effect, for example on Bacillus cereus, E. coli, Aspergillus niger and Salmonella enteritidis. The flavonoids it contains can protect DNA and other molecules from damage by protecting them from free radicals. They also have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Coumarin and its derivatives can act indirectly as inhibitors of coagulation factors.
Application
The content of essential oils and the associated carvone is decisive for the use of dill. Dill is used in various ways to keep your patients healthy, for example for flatulence and gastrointestinal complaints. Its carminative and spasmolytic properties are crucial here. The antispasmodic effect is also used for menstrual cramps and uterine cramps.
