Magical and Medicinal Uses of Dill

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Fire
Powers: Lust, Love, Money, Protection

Magical Uses and History: Sometimes referred to as "the magician's herb," dill has long been used in magic for a variety of purposes, most often protection. Its speculated its protective properties are due to its strong smell. In Ancient Rome, gladiators would sometimes rub dill over their bodies prior to engaging in mortal combat to ensure the user would make it out alive. It was also often added to their food to inspire courage and valor, as well as for protection against bodily harm. During the Medieval period, the saying, "Therewith her Vervain and her Dill, That hindereth witches of their will." became popular, especially among magicians who prescribed it to treat curses and protect against witchcraft. This led to numerous protection spells against witches over the centuries. It is said that drinking a cup of dill water reverses a witch's spell while placing it above the door or windows to prevent evil from entering. It was also placed under cribs to protect children and even carried on a person to prevent harm from befalling the bearer. In Germany, it was hung above the door to prevent envious people from entering your home and therefore bringing negativity and ill will inside with them. In other regions, dill was nailed to a door to trap ill-disposed individuals or negativity inside a dwelling. As such, dill makes an excellent addition to spells not only for protection but also to trap negative energy into a place or object. The Polish commonly used dill to defend against and even vanquish nightmares, further adding to dill's laundry list of protective uses. In addition to the aforementioned uses, you can also add dill to protection spells by anointing candles in dill oil or rolling them in dried dill, adding it to protection sachets, burning it as an incense, or using it in a protection bath tea. The seeds can also be placed in a sachet or pouch and worn over the heart to protect against the Evil Eye or the seeds can be scattered around your home for the same purpose.

Apart from its abundant protective uses, dill is also associated with lust and love. Dill is a mild aphrodisiac and has been used for such purposes since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians used dill oil to enhance arousal and sexual desire while later in Germany and Belgium, dill was added to wedding bouquets or affixed to wedding dresses to ensure a loving and happy marriage. However, some brides would combine both mustard and dill seeds not only to ensure a happy marriage but also to ensure the wife's dominance. The seeds were hidden within the bride's dress while she said, "I have you, mustard and dill, Husband, when I speak, you stay still." Honestly, I love this for women because historically they held very little power in society, at least on the surface. On the other hand, the ancient Greeks called dill "Herme's Semen," due to its prolific nature and abundance of seeds, and is therefore deeply associated with fertility and lust. As such, dill leaves and seeds can be used in spells and rituals to attract a lover, induce lust, ensure a happy marriage, or to ensure your spells or actions are fruitful. Bathing in dill oil or water is said to make the bather irresistible, and supposedly can turn platonic love into passion.

Its abundance of seeds also connects dill with wealth and prosperity. Carry dill seeds in your purse, wallet, or cash register to ensure you will always have plenty of money, keep a pouch of dill seeds in your pantry so your family will never go without, or add to any spells and rituals to attract wealth, abundance, and prosperity to your life. Contrary to this belief, European monks believed dill had the opposite effect, reducing fertility and hindering lust. They believed dill's potent smell could drive away incubuses who preyed on sleeping women and prevent them from becoming pregnant with a demon's baby. If you ascribe to such beliefs, add dill to spells to ward off sexual advances or prevent others from being fruitful in their endeavors.

Finally, dill derives its name from the Norse dilla or dylla meaning "lull" or "soothe." This is most commonly attributed to dill's ability to treat cramps, stomach upset, and flatulence, especially among children. Dill is sometimes called the "meetinghouse seed" as it was chewed not only by adults to keep them awake, but by babies and children to prevent them from crying, either from colic or hunger. "Gripe water," which is made from dill seeds, was also commonly given to children or adults suffering from stomach upset to reduce stomach cramps and flatulence and ensure a restful night's sleep. As such, dill can be added to spells to soothe a situation or bring calm and quiet to the home after a major upset.

Dill can be used in a number of spells including:

   Happiness Spells

   Marriage Spells

   Dispelling Negativity

   Protection Magic

   Prosperity and Abundance Magic

Medicinal Uses: While most people use dill leaves and stems in cooking, their seeds are commonly used medicinally. Dill is a natural carminative and antispasmodic, making it great at treating flatulence, cramps, and bloating (and associated colic), especially in children. Dill can also be used to stimulate milk production in lactating persons. The seeds and leaves are also anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory help to ward off infection, reduce arthritis symptoms, and even treat halitosis. Dill is also a natural diuretic so take it with plenty of water.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1 cup of boiling water with 1-2 teaspoons of gently crushed dill seeds. Allow the mixture to infuse for 10-15 minutes before enjoying. Alternatively, combine 1-2 teaspoons of freshly chopped dill with 1 cup boiling water and infuse for 20 minutes for the same effect. If treating flatulence, drink this infusion prior to eating. As a tincture, take 1-2 milliliters up to three times a day. To treat halitosis, chew on a few dill seeds.

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