Usage
- Dill oil is traditionally used for digestive issues, particularly in infants and children to relieve gas, bloating, and colic. It’s also used for menstrual cramps. Some sources suggest it may be helpful for insomnia and respiratory infections.
- Pharmacological Classification: Carminative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial.
- Mechanism of Action: Dill oil’s active components (carvone, limonene, and anethole) relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, reducing gas and bloating. It may also have mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Alternate Names
- Dill Seed Oil
- Dill Weed Oil
- Indian Dill (Anethum sowa)
- European Dill (Anethum graveolens)
How It Works
- Pharmacodynamics: Dill oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the GI tract, reducing spasms and gas formation. It may also act as a mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent.
- Pharmacokinetics: Limited information is available on the pharmacokinetics of dill oil. Absorption, metabolism, and excretion details are not well-established. It can be ingested orally or applied topically.
- Mode of Action: The carvone, limonene, and anethole in dill oil are thought to primarily affect smooth muscle in the gut. It is unclear if this is due to direct interaction with receptors, enzymes, or other cellular mechanisms. Specific molecular interactions, including receptor binding or enzyme inhibition, are not well-defined.
- Elimination Pathways: Elimination pathways have not been extensively studied.
Dosage
Dill oil dosage information is limited and varies. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized recommendations.
Standard Dosage
Adults:
- 0.05-0.2 ml once or twice daily (oral or topical). A standardized adult dosage isn’t well-established.
Children:
- Dosage must be determined by a healthcare professional based on age and weight. It’s generally lower than adult doses. Dr. Vamis Gripe Water (containing dill oil, sodium bicarbonate, and fennel oil) recommends: 1-6 months old: one 5ml spoonful; 6-12 months old: two 5ml spoonfuls; Under one month: not to be used. These doses can be given after each feed, up to six times in 24 hours. Dillengo syrup (containing dill oil and sodium bicarbonate) dosing recommendations: Adults and children over 12 years: 10ml-20ml every 4 to 6 hours as needed; children 6-12 years: 5ml to 10ml every 4-6 hours as needed; children under 6 years: 2.5ml to 5ml every 4-6 hours as needed. For TumsUp drops, containing simethicone, dill oil, and fennel oil, the concentration is simethicone 40mg, dill oil 0.005ml, and fennel oil 0.0007ml per ml of solution. For children less than 2 years old, simethicone dosing is 20 mg orally after meals and at bedtime as needed, with a maximum of 240mg daily; children over 2 years old: 40mg orally after meals and at bedtime as needed, with a maximum of 480mg daily.
Special Cases:
- Elderly Patients: Insufficient data. Start with a lower dose and monitor carefully.
- Patients with Renal Impairment: Dosage adjustments may be needed. Consult a physician.
- Patients with Hepatic Dysfunction: Dosage adjustments may be needed. Consult a physician.
- Patients with Comorbid Conditions: Caution in patients with diabetes (dill oil may lower blood sugar), hypothyroidism (it might reduce thyroid levels), or those taking lithium (dill oil may decrease lithium excretion). Avoid dill oil two weeks before surgery as it may interfere with blood sugar control.
Clinical Use Cases
- There aren’t established dosage guidelines for specific clinical settings like intubation, surgery, mechanical ventilation, ICU use, or emergency situations.
Dosage Adjustments
- Consult a physician for adjustments based on renal/hepatic dysfunction, metabolic disorders, or genetic polymorphisms.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects
- Skin irritation (topical use)
- Increased sun sensitivity (topical use)
- Allergic reactions (especially in individuals allergic to plants in the carrot family)
- Bloating, heartburn, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation
Rare but Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reactions
- Vomiting, diarrhea, itchy mouth, swollen red bumps on the tongue, throat swelling.
Long-Term Effects
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR)
- Severe allergic reactions requiring urgent medical attention
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to dill or any component of the product.
- Pregnancy (dill seed can stimulate menstruation and potentially lead to miscarriage).
- Fructose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption (some formulations may contain sugars)
Drug Interactions
- Lithium: Dill oil may decrease lithium excretion, leading to increased lithium levels and potential toxicity.
- Diabetes Medications: Dill oil might lower blood sugar, potentially causing hypoglycemia when combined with antidiabetic drugs.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Pregnancy: Possibly unsafe. Dill seed may induce menstruation, leading to a risk of miscarriage. Avoid dill pills or extracts during pregnancy due to limited safety research.
- Breastfeeding: Insufficient reliable information. Stick to food amounts.
Drug Profile Summary
- Mechanism of Action: Relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle, reducing gas and bloating. May also have mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- Side Effects: Skin irritation, sun sensitivity, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset.
- Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, pregnancy, fructose intolerance.
- Drug Interactions: Lithium, diabetes medications.
- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Avoid during pregnancy. Limited safety information during breastfeeding.
- Dosage: Varies; consult a healthcare professional. Adults: 0.05-0.2 ml once or twice daily (oral or topical). Pediatric dosing should be determined by a healthcare professional.
- Monitoring Parameters: Blood glucose levels (in patients with diabetes).
Popular Combinations
- Dill oil is often combined with fennel oil and simethicone for the relief of infant colic.
Precautions
- General Precautions: Screen for allergies (especially to plants in the carrot family), metabolic disorders, and organ dysfunction.
- Specific Populations: Pregnant women (avoid), breastfeeding mothers (consult a physician), children and elderly (dose adjustments needed).
- Lifestyle Considerations: Interactions with alcohol are unknown.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What is the recommended dosage for Dill Oil?
A: Dill oil dosage varies. Adults: 0.05-0.2ml orally or topically once or twice daily. Pediatric and special population dosing should be determined by a healthcare professional. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
Q2: Is Dill Oil safe during pregnancy?
A: No, Dill Oil is considered possibly unsafe during pregnancy due to the potential for uterine stimulation and miscarriage.
Q3: Can I use Dill Oil while breastfeeding?
A: The safety of Dill Oil during breastfeeding isn’t well-established. It’s best to avoid medicinal use and stick to dietary amounts.
Q4: What are the potential side effects of Dill Oil?
A: Side effects may include skin irritation, sun sensitivity (topical use), allergic reactions, bloating, heartburn, dizziness, diarrhea, and constipation.
Q5: Does Dill Oil interact with any medications?
A: Yes, Dill Oil can interact with lithium and diabetes medications. It may reduce lithium excretion and lower blood sugar levels.
Q6: How does Dill Oil work to relieve colic in infants?
A: Dill oil’s carvone, limonene, and anethole components relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, easing gas, bloating, and colic.
Q7: Are there any contraindications for using Dill Oil?
A: Yes, contraindications include hypersensitivity to dill, pregnancy, and fructose intolerance.
Q8: Can Dill Oil be used topically?
A: Yes, Dill Oil can be used topically, often diluted with a carrier oil. However, it can increase sun sensitivity, so precautions should be taken.
Q9: Can dill oil be used for anything besides colic?
A: Traditionally, it’s also been used for menstrual cramps, insomnia, and respiratory infections, although more research is needed in these areas.
