Dill Oil: Dill Weed or Dill Seed? Differences, Scent and Uses
Not all dill oil is the same: depending on whether the herb or the seeds are distilled, the result is a completely different scent. Dill weed oil smells fresh, green and typically of dill, whereas dill seed oil is spicy and distinctive, with hints of caraway and anise. In this guide we compare both oils – origin, scent, uses and safety – so you know which dill oil suits you.
What is dill oil?
Dill belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae), like fennel, caraway and celery. It has been used as a culinary herb since antiquity; in German it is also popularly known as “Gurkenkraut” (cucumber herb) because of its role in pickling cucumbers. As an essential oil, dill comes in two variants that differ in plant part, origin and botanical species:
Dill weed oil
- Botanical name: Anethum graveolens
- Plant part: herb
- Extraction: steam distillation
- Origin of our oil: France
Dill seed oil
- Botanical name: Anethum sowa
- Plant part: seeds
- Extraction: steam distillation
- Origin of our oil: India
Anethum sowa is the so-called Indian dill, a form closely related to European garden dill that has long been grown in India as a spice plant. Its seeds are a well-known kitchen spice there. In steam distillation, steam flows through the plant material, picks up the volatile aromatic compounds and separates from the essential oil again after cooling.
The scent: dill weed or dill seed?
The biggest difference between the two dill oils lies in their scent:
Dill weed oil smells fresh, light and herbaceous, with a fine, slightly sweet undertone – exactly like freshly cut dill. It belongs to the green-herbaceous scents.
- Top note: fresh, green, bright
- Heart note: herbaceous, typical dill scent
- Base note: soft, slightly sweet
Dill seed oil smells clear, aromatic and distinctive. It recalls a mix of anise, caraway and dill and is noticeably spicier than the herb oil. It belongs to the spicy-herbaceous scents.
- Top note: clear, fresh, slightly anise-like
- Heart note: spicy, caraway-like
- Base note: warm, herbaceous
In short: if you’re looking for the “real” dill scent, choose dill weed oil. If you like spicy seed notes such as caraway oil or fennel oil, you’ll love dill seed oil.
Ways to use dill oil
- Diffuser: 2–3 drops of dill weed oil or 1–2 drops of dill seed oil in 150–200 ml of water. Both are intense, so start sparingly. More on this in our guide Essential oils in the diffuser.
- Oil burner: 1–3 drops in the water bowl. Both oils are flammable – never put them directly onto hot surfaces, and never leave the oil burner unattended.
- Room spray: Dill weed oil adds a fresh, green note to homemade room sprays, dill seed oil a spicy one.
- DIY scent projects: Dill seed oil is well suited as a pure natural scent for homemade scented candles.
- Scented massage oil: 2–3 drops of dill oil in 10 ml of carrier oil make a subtly scented massage oil blend – always diluted and after a patch test.
Scent blends with dill oil
All recipes are designed for a diffuser with 150–200 ml of water:
1. Summer garden (with dill weed oil)
2. Spice rack (with dill seed oil)
- 1 drop dill seed oil
- 1 drop caraway oil
- 2 drops coriander seed oil
3. Gentle breeze (with dill weed oil)
- 1 drop dill weed oil
- 2 drops bergamot oil
- 1 drop lavender oil
Tip: Our ready-made blend Sunlit Calm with lavender, lemon and orange gains a fresh, green facet with one drop of dill weed oil.
Safety information
Both dill oils are highly concentrated. Please note:
- Never apply neat to the skin: Undiluted, both oils cause skin irritation. Always dilute – 2–3 drops in 10 ml of carrier oil, e.g. almond oil or jojoba oil.
- Patch test: Dill weed oil may also cause allergic skin reactions. Test every blend on the inside of your elbow first.
- Do not ingest: Dill weed oil may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways. If swallowed, call a poison centre or doctor immediately and do not induce vomiting.
- Flammable: Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames; use in well-ventilated rooms.
- Children: Keep out of the reach of children.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Please consult a qualified professional before use.
- Pets: Cats in particular are sensitive to essential oils – more in Essential oils and pets.
- Environment: Dill weed oil is very toxic to aquatic life – take leftovers to a waste collection point.
To keep the scent fresh for a long time: Storing essential oils correctly.
Buying dill oil: what to look for
With dill oil in particular, the label is decisive, because “dill oil” alone doesn’t reveal what’s in the bottle:
- Botanical name: Anethum graveolens or Anethum sowa – this tells you which dill was used.
- Plant part: Herb or seeds? This determines the scent.
- 100% pure: no additives, no synthetic fragrances.
- Origin and batch: Country of origin and batch number on the label.
- Amber glass: A light-protected bottle with dropper.
You’ll find more criteria in Buying essential oils: how to recognise real quality.
Our dill weed oil is 100% pure, steam-distilled from the herb of Anethum graveolens from France, and hand-filled in Germany – available in 10 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml. Our dill seed oil is 100% pure, steam-distilled from the seeds of Anethum sowa from India, and also hand-filled in Germany – available in 10 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml and 500 ml. Both come in amber glass bottles with dropper.
Frequently asked questions about dill oil
What does dill oil smell like?
Dill weed oil smells fresh, herbaceous and slightly sweet – like fresh dill. Dill seed oil smells spicier and more distinctive, with notes reminiscent of anise and caraway.
Which dill oil is right for me?
For fresh, green room fragrances, dill weed oil is ideal. For spicy compositions with seed oils such as caraway or coriander, dill seed oil is the right choice.
Can you use dill oil for cooking?
No. Our dill essential oils are intended for room fragrance and diluted external use and are not suitable for consumption. For the kitchen, use fresh or dried dill or dill seeds as a spice.
How many drops of dill oil go in the diffuser?
2–3 drops of dill weed oil or 1–2 drops of dill seed oil in 150–200 ml of water.
What can you combine dill oil with?
Dill weed oil harmonises with lemon, lime, bergamot and lavender. Dill seed oil goes well with caraway, coriander seed and fennel.
Can you mix dill weed and dill seed oil?
Yes. One drop of dill seed oil gives dill weed oil more spice and depth – try it in small amounts.
🌿 Casse-Q – natural oils with character
Fresh and green or spicy and distinctive – discover our dill weed oil and our dill seed oil and find your dill scent.
