Thai Dill Was Linked to Lower Cholesterol

Thai Dill / Lao Coriander — ผักชีลาว (phak-chi-lao) — Anethum graveolens.

In trials in people, this feathery Thai herb modestly improved cholesterol and lipid markers. The edible part is the leaves. It's rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese. Gaeng Om Gai (an Isan chicken soup) simmers fresh vegetables and aromatic dill in a clear broth, which you scoop up with warm sticky rice. Mok Pla Siw (a Northeastern steamed fish parcel) seasons fish with fresh dill and fermented fish sauce before steaming it in banana leaves. The feathery leaves go in fresh as an herb; the seeds are used whole as a spice. Eat it with a little fat or oil, which helps your body absorb the beta-carotene it turns into vitamin A. Dill hates transplanting because of its deep taproot, so sow it where it'll stay.

Gaeng Om Gai — แกงอ่อมไก่ (gaeng-om-gai)
Mok Pla Siw — หมกปลาซิว (mok-pla-siw)

Food and nutrients

Rich in: vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese

Research context

Dill modestly improved cholesterol/lipid markers in trials in people — DARU J. Pharm. Sci., 2012

Sources

Source: Mansouri M et al. (2012). 12-week Anethum graveolens on metabolic markers: RCT. DARU 20:47. DOI:10.1186/2008-2231-20-47

Narration transcript

Opening

In Thailand's northeast, cooks use dill by the handful — whole feathery fronds dropped into the soup pot like a leafy vegetable. Dill — ผักชีลาว, pak-chee-lao. You eat the soft leaves, simmered into an Isan chicken soup or steamed with fish in a banana-leaf parcel.

Gaeng Om Gai (แกงอ่อมไก่)

Gaeng om gai is a comforting, clear Isan chicken soup loaded with fresh vegetables and aromatic dill, traditionally served with warm sticky rice.

Mok Pla Siw (หมกปลาซิว)

Mok pla siw is a Northeastern Thai steamed fish parcel seasoned with fresh dill and fermented fish sauce, best enjoyed with sticky rice.

Nutrition summary

Weight for weight, fresh dill fronds deliver strong vitamin C and manganese, plus vitamin A and folate.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and helps maintain healthy skin and surface tissues.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.

Manganese

Manganese helps the body use food for energy and maintain normal connective tissue.

Closing

Eat it with a little oil or fat, which helps your body take up the vitamin A its leaves turn into. Dill hates being moved because of its deep taproot, so sow it right where you want it to stay. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.

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