GreenThursday - Herb love

A very nice part of the botanical garden in Würzburg is the part which is a replica of a traditional german farm garden. That's where I took photos of an interesting plant: Dill 

It seems to be unspectacular and just a common kitchen herb but on a second, a closer look it offers it's restrained beauty. That's why it became the hero of my @GreenThursday by @kalemandra ColorChalenge.

See, how gorgeous?! So delicate and such a brilliant and bright green color with hints of yellow in the bloom and silver and turquoise on the stems. 

Originated in southwest asia dill is a plant which is cultivated all over the world now. In Germany it is one of the most grown herbs and it's part and parcel in most of the middle, east and north european kitchens.

Even the old egyptians already used it as a medical plant as a seasoning herb. Pharao Amenophis II. let dill put in his grave.

5000 years ago dill made it's way from the Mediterranean See to Middle Europe. Monks discoverd it's medical effects and grew it in the monastery gardens used it to cure several diseases like stomach cramps, bad breath and as an digestive.

Dill contains essential oils and lots of minerals like potassium, calcium and sodium. The leaves contain up to 4% of essential oil, the seeds up to 8%. This is the crucial fact for it's use as a seasoning herb and medicine. And it's true! It's smell is incredible and so is it's taste is - especially in cucumber salad.

But most of all it is a beautiful green geen plant.