Dill is the pickling herb. Dill is added to the pickling process because of its flavor but in ancient times dill was used as a preservative to help the pickled products last longer.

Today we add dill just for the flavor. But there are still some hidden aspects to dill that make it beneficial. Dill improves digestion. Dill will sooth stomach ailments and will calm colicky babies. Dill has the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria such as streptococcus which aids in both the pickling process and in the soothing of stomach ailments.

So dill in not only a great flavor enhancer, it is also good medicine. To use dill in a medicinal way brew a tea using two teaspoons of mashed seeds per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. This brew should help soothe an upset stomach.