Perilla is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with pungent and warm properties, affecting the lung and spleen meridians. It dispels wind-cold, promotes qi circulation to relieve abdominal distension, and neutralizes toxins from fish and crab. It is primarily used to treat wind-cold colds, spleen-stomach qi stagnation, and abdominal pain or diarrhea caused by consuming fish or crab. It also soothes the chest, facilitates diaphragm function, regulates qi, and stabilizes pregnancy. Perilla stems and leaves emit a fragrant aroma, with tender leaves suitable for raw consumption, soups, or stir-frying.The history of perilla consumption in China is remarkably long. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty noted: "When young, perilla has leaves that can be eaten with vegetables, or pickled with salt and plum brine for a fragrant side dish. In summer, it can be boiled into a soup for drinking." Recent research has uncovered the following new applications for perilla: Anti-Cancer Perilla oil significantly suppresses cancer incidence induced by chemical carcinogens, reduces tumor volume, and delays tumor onset.Feeding perilla oil to rats with chemically induced colon cancer showed that it reduces mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity and lowers colon muscle sensitivity to tumor promoters—specifically, phospholipid membranes from colon epithelial cells—effectively inhibiting colon cancer.
Anti-allergic
Testing reveals perilla leaves are rich in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and unsaturated fatty acids. They support normal immune function and alleviate allergic reactions such as allergic dermatitis and hay fever. Research also indicates that perilla stems possess similar medicinal properties to the leaves and can be used to treat skin diseases.
Antibacterial
Perilla oil exhibits significant inhibitory effects against naturally occurring mold, outperforming sodium benzoate in mold suppression. It requires lower doses, is safer, and remains effective regardless of pH levels.Animal studies indicate perilla oil regulates lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats.
Antithrombotic Effects
Experiments confirm perilla oil inhibits free radicals in platelets and serotonin, thereby preventing thrombotic events and exhibiting antithrombotic properties.Unsaturated fatty acids like α-linolenic acid reduce platelet AA levels and inhibit thromboxane A1 production, thereby weakening platelet activity. This effectively controls and suppresses platelet aggregation on blood vessel walls, reducing thrombus formation.
Blood Sugar Elevation
Experiments indicate that oral administration of 0.35 ml/kg perilla oil to rabbits elevates blood glucose levels. When the primary component perillaldehyde is converted into oxime, its blood sugar-raising effect is stronger than that of perilla oil.
Treating Common Warts
Reports indicate that after disinfecting the skin around the wart (and trimming protruding warts with scissors if necessary), rubbing the wart area with washed fresh perilla leaves for 10–15 minutes followed by dressing and bandaging once daily can be effective.