Every year, thousands of people grow dill in their gardens for pickling or just adding it to recipes (see our creamy dip and herbed cheese), but did you know that dill can help your digestive system in many ways?
Without getting into all the scientific aspects of the herb, let’s focus on the fact that dill has been used for decades to get rid of gas, bloating, heartburn, colic, painful intestinal spasms, and even increase mother’s milk. Just hearing all those benefits makes me want to run to my garden to snip off some dill, but sadly, it will be a few more weeks until it is ready.
Photo Credit to Nate Steiner on Flickr
How To Use Dill for Your Digestive System
Bloating and gas affect everyone from time to time, and if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to take medication for the problem. Instead, cook up some dill water, otherwise known as dill tea, to get rid of it fast!
All you need to do is bring about 8 ounces of water to a boil. Add approximately 2 teaspoons of crushed dill seeds and brew for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 cup 2 to 4 times during the day, and — bye-bye gas! If you don’t have seeds, use dry dill leaves and seep for about 12 minutes. Strain and let cool. Sip on the tea to help calm your digestive system.
If you have fresh dill on hand, simply cut up some of the dill and add it to your meals to ease gas before it starts.
If you don’t have either but have dill pickles, take 1 teaspoon of dill pickle juice or munch on a pickle to get some relief.
How to Make Dill Butter
To cook with dill for added digestive system support, make up a batch of dill butter to add to all your recipes. It’s easy to make and tasty to eat.
What you’ll need:
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill
- 4 to 5 teaspoons butter, preferably real organic butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- dash of lemon juice, optional
Use the dill butter on anything you’d use real butter on, aside from desserts and other sweet treats. Try it on potatoes, corn, carrots, and rolls!
