Can pregnant women eat dill: harm and benefits for the expectant mother and child
Dill is a universal seasoning with worldwide popularity. In the pharmaceutical industry, this greenery is widely used in medicines: the plant contains a rich set of health-promoting substances and microelements.
During pregnancy, almost all women face certain difficulties - the body begins to rebuild and live “for two”. Dill-based medications will theoretically help to cope with edema, digestive problems, toxicosis and anemia, as herbal remedies with a minimum number of side effects. But is this familiar plant really safe? Let's figure out whether pregnant women can eat dill and what surprises the usual seasoning hides.
Chemical composition of dill
Fragrant dill is an annual herbaceous plant with a number of useful properties. It contains the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body, while the composition of greens and mature seeds is different.
Fresh greens are rich in vitamins C and B9, as well as iron. These components stimulate hematopoiesis, which is why dill is so useful in preventing anemia.
The composition of dill is presented in the table:
| Nutritional indicator | Amount per 100 g of edible part of the plant | % of recommended daily intake |
| Calorie content | 43 kcal | 2% |
| Water | 85.95 g | — |
| Carbohydrates | 4.92 g | 2% |
| Alimentary fiber | 2.1 g | 11% |
| Fats | 1.12 g | 2% |
| Squirrels | 3.46 g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 386 mcg | 43% |
| Vitamin C | 85 mg | 94% |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.06 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.3 mg | 17% |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.4 mg | 8% |
| Vitamin B9 | 150 mcg | 38% |
| Vitamin PP | 3.37 mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 738 mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 208 mg | 21% |
| Magnesium | 55 mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 61 mg | 5% |
| Phosphorus | 66 mg | 8% |
| Iron | 6.59 mg | 37% |
| Manganese | 1.26 mg | 63% |
| Copper | 0.15 mg | 15% |
| Zinc | 0.91 mg | 8% |
Dill seeds have other qualitative and quantitative indicators of nutritional value. They contain fewer vitamins and more minerals compared to greens.
The composition of dill seeds is presented in the table
| Nutritional indicator | Amount per 100 g of dry seeds | % of recommended daily intake |
| Calorie content | 305 kcal | 15% |
| Water | 7.7 g | — |
| Carbohydrates | 34.07 g | 12% |
| Alimentary fiber | 21.1 g | 106% |
| Fats | 14.54 g | 22% |
| Squirrels | 15.98 g | 27% |
| Vitamin A | 3 mcg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 21 mg | 23% |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.42 mg | 28% |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.28 mg | 16% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.25 mg | 13% |
| Vitamin B9 | 10 mcg | 3% |
| Vitamin PP | 2.81 mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 1186 mg | 47% |
| Calcium | 1516 mg | 152% |
| Magnesium | 256 mg | 64% |
| Sodium | 20 mg | 2% |
| Phosphorus | 277 mg | 35% |
| Iron | 16.33 mg | 91% |
| Manganese | 1.83 mg | 92% |
| Copper | 0.78 mg | 78% |
| Selenium | 12.1 mcg | 22% |
| Zinc | 5.2 mg | 43% |
Useful properties and possible harm of dill
Dill has a number of useful properties:
- has a beneficial effect on the process of hematopoiesis and is used to prevent anemia;
- B vitamins regulate the functions of the nervous, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems;
- vitamin A stimulates regeneration and renewal of the epithelium;
- C - prevents cell destruction by free radicals, participates in the synthesis of collagen and proteins, which indirectly stimulates the immune system and strengthens blood vessels;
- iron, copper and manganese are components of liver enzymes and are involved in hematopoiesis;
- zinc synthesizes insulin, therefore it is indispensable for diseases of the digestive tract, liver and for the prevention of diabetes.
However, excessive consumption of dill seeds and greens is not recommended due to the high content of essential oil.The maximum daily dose of oral administration is 0.2 g.
Fresh herbs contain up to 1% essential oil, dried seeds - up to 4%. Therefore, a healthy person can eat up to 20-30 g of dill and no more than 5 g of seeds.
The components of dill essential oil include:
- alpha-phellandrene (10-60%);
- limonene (30-40%);
- dillether (3-10%);
- carvone (30-14%).
Essential oil components have a stimulating effect on the body even in small doses:
- have an aromatherapy effect, help with insomnia, stress, neuroses;
- relax the smooth muscles of the intestines, prevent flatulence, constipation, bloating;
- reduce the activity of pathogenic intestinal microflora, reduce inflammation in colitis;
- have a bactericidal effect, do not cause irritation when applied to the skin, therefore they are used without dilution;
- have a diuretic effect, reduce inflammation in cystitis;
- cause bile secretion, help with cholelithiasis;
- enhance the secretion of mammary glands in nursing mothers;
- when administered by inhalation, they relieve inflammation of the throat and bronchi;
- lower blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels.
Another property of dill essential oil is its effect on the hormonal activity of the body. Dill oil increases estrogen, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and melatonin levels while reducing adrenaline and cortisol levels.
Norms for using dill during pregnancy
During Tsarist Rus', the method was widespread among peasants termination of unwanted pregnancy in the early stages with the help of strong dill decoction. To do this, shoots with umbrellas were boiled in clay pots so that the broth contained the largest amount of essential oil.
Reference. According to research conducted by the CMVP (European Medicines Committee, founded in 1999), dill essential oil causes an increase in oxytocin levels. This provokes contraction of the uterus and expulsion of the placenta with heavy uterine bleeding. Pregnant women often died from blood loss after such a makeshift abortion. Therefore, essential oil, as well as strong dill infusions, are prohibited from being used internally by women during pregnancy at any stage of gestation.
However, dill in an amount of up to 10 g will help expectant mothers in preventing anemia, as well as with digestive problems. It contains a sufficient amount of nutrients necessary for the successful bearing of a child.
To reduce the amount of essential oil in the portion you eat, Dill is best added to dishes in dried form. At the same time, dill seeds are excluded from the diet, even in baked goods. They contain enough essential oil to cause spasms of the smooth muscles of the uterus.
In late stages of pregnancy, exceeding the norms for dill consumption provokes premature birth. Small portions of dried herbs up to 10 g, on the contrary, will prepare the body for lactation. So the mother will have the opportunity to naturally feed the baby, especially if this is her first pregnancy.
The use of dill during pregnancy for medicinal purposes
The beneficial properties of dill allow it to be used for medicinal purposes during pregnancy. It is important that the content of essential oil in decoctions does not exceed 1%.
Dill water
This medicine contains 0.001% essential oil. It applies:
- for loss of appetite - 1 tbsp. l. before eating;
- for flatulence - 1 tbsp. l. 4-6 times a day;
- for nausea, rinse your mouth with dill water to reduce the urge to vomit.
To prepare dill water, 1 g of essential oil is dissolved in 1 liter of clean water. You can prepare dill water at home from dill seeds, according to the instructions on the package. She stored 30 days in a cool place, protected from light.
Dill tea is used in the same way: 1 tbsp. l. chopped herbs are infused in 250 ml of boiling water.
Dill seed decoction
The decoction contains up to 3% essential oil. When taken orally, such a dose provokes spasms of the smooth muscles of the uterus, so it is used only externally for edema.
Method for preparing the decoction:
- 15 g of seeds are poured into 250 ml of boiling water.
- The resulting infusion is boiled over low heat for 10 minutes.
- The broth is filtered and cooled to room temperature.
- Cotton swabs are soaked in it, moistened and applied for 10 minutes.
Store the broth for no more than a day in a cool place, protected from light (in the warm season, a refrigerator is suitable).
In addition to dill seeds, you can add mint, sage, chamomile and green tea to this decoction.
Attention! If the problem of swelling is not resolved after using external medicinal and cosmetic products, consult your doctor for advice.
Essential oil and dill tincture
Used as an aromatherapy remedy during colds. Essential oil components have an antiseptic effect. During the cold season, small portions of essential oil are added to the aroma lamp to aromatize the premises. The session lasts no more than 20-30 minutes.
Dill seed tincture is added to baths during the first symptoms of a cold. The water temperature should not exceed +38°C, and the duration of water procedures should not exceed 20 minutes.
Preparation of dill tincture:
- Dill seeds, purchased at a pharmacy, are washed from dust in a sieve.
- 300 g of seeds are poured into a 3-liter container, filled with a 40% alcohol solution to the neck and sealed tightly.
- Infuse in a dark, cool place for 2-3 weeks.
Seed tincture contains up to 7% essential oil. Essential oil components penetrate the bloodstream through the skin, breaking the lipid barrier. Therefore, during pregnancy, it is not recommended to apply undiluted tincture or cosmetics with dill essential oil.
Precautions and contraindications
It is not recommended to use medicines based on dill essential oil in the first trimester of pregnancy, as there is a high probability of uterine bleeding and miscarriage. In the first weeks, watch your diet especially carefully, since the growing fetus at this stage is just forming and is sensitive to substances contained in the mother’s blood.
If you have an elevated immune status or a tendency to allergies, dill is also excluded. If immune reactions are unstable, the mother’s body can attack the fetus and provoke a miscarriage, perceiving the embryo’s tissues as foreign. It is also recommended to avoid taking dill-based products if there is increased uterine tone.
As a seasoning, up to 10 g of dried dill per day is allowed. It is better to exclude seeds and fresh herbs from the diet, since the essential oil content in them ranges from 0.5 to 4%.
Since dill relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels and internal organs, it is not recommended to use it for diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux (reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus), low blood pressure and urinary incontinence.
Conclusion
During pregnancy, uncontrolled intake of dill in dishes and medications based on dill essential oil is harmful. This increases the level of oxytocin in the blood, which causes premature birth.
During pregnancy, no more than 10 g of dried herbs are allowed. Medicines and cosmetics with dill essential oil are used only externally in diluted form. If you take precautions, your pregnancy will go well.