The Bible Garden: What is Anise?

Dill (Photo credit: Sirpale79)

I don't like licorice, so imagine my joy when I discovered the anise mentioned in Matthew 23:23 is most probably dill--a spice I adore and that grows plentifully in our northern gardens. Grow the plant once and you never have to reseed it. Each year, you will have an abundance of dill.

This word occurs only once, in the above mentioned verse. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices — mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former (Matt 23:23).

I can't fathom paying such attention to this profligate seeder, and finding it difficult to dispense mercy and justice.

star anise

So why should you invest in dill? Glad you asked:

• Dill aids in digestion. Its essential oils work in the digestive tract and helps secrete bile and digestive juices. It also helps the peristaltic action of the intestine. (That's the motion that moves your food down rather than back up).
• Aids insomnia. As a stimulant, it stimulates the enzymes that settle you down. Thus after consuming that cup of soup flavored with dill--you can snooze away.
• Stops hiccups. Dill is a carminative (an herb prep that prevents gas). So a potion laced with dill can stop hiccups.
• Respiratory ills. Dill has an anti-histaminic property.
• Oral care. Dill can freshen breath.
• Sex. One site claims it helps your libido.

One last tidbit: Charlemagne knew its benefits. His banquet table had a crystal vial of dill seed to help the guests who overindulged.

One of my favorite recipes is a simple plain Greek yogurt flavored with dill seed, chopped cucumber and a little garlic and lemon juice. Had it once in Greece--so you know its good.

How do you like your dill?