Perilla leaf
Perilla frutescens · 紫苏叶
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Zi su ye, Shiso, Beefsteak plant, Purple perilla
Pinyin: Zǐ sū yè
Spanish: Perilla
A fragrant leaf used in Chinese medicine for colds with chills and upset stomach, and eaten as shiso in Japan and Korea.
Did you know? Perilla seed oil is one of the richest plant sources of the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, so the plant is also grown for oil.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Allergies. Used in tradition for seafood reactions and allergy-like flares. Lab studies exist, but human trials are few.Traditional proof
- Nausea & upset stomach. Used in tradition for nausea and upset stomach. Small human studies are lacking.Traditional proof
- Fever. Used in tradition for colds with chills and fever. Few good human trials exist.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used perilla leaf for wind-cold colds with cough and chills, nausea, and seafood reactions. It is a core herb in Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction).
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Diaphoretic, Carminative, Antimicrobial. Energy: warming.
- Chinese medicine
- 紫苏叶 Release the exterior. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent. Enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
How people take it
Eating it fresh or dried as a garnish or in soups is the most common use, and culinary amounts are safe. Tea and decoctions use about 5 to 10 grams of dried leaf. Human studies are few.
Tea, decoction and food.
Where to get it
An annual herb grown across China, Japan, Korea and parts of Southeast Asia. Fresh leaves are sold in Asian markets as shiso or perilla. Dried leaf and tea are sold in herb shops and online.
Be careful
Culinary amounts are considered safe. Medicinal amounts have not been well studied in pregnancy. Allergic reactions are rare but possible.
Avoid if: pregnancy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Also in Ban Xia Hou Po Tang, where perilla leaf helps move energy in the chest.
- Works well together
Also in Ban Xia Hou Po Tang, where pinellia helps dry phlegm.
- Works well together
Perilla leaf and fresh ginger are often used together for seafood reactions and colds in Chinese folk practice.
Found in these formulas
Pinellia & Magnolia (TCM)
The honest take
Perilla leaf is a food herb, and culinary amounts are very safe. Its medicinal uses for colds, nausea and seafood reactions are mostly traditional, with few human trials. Eating the leaf as food is a safe and pleasant way to enjoy it.