This product is the mature fruit of the herbaceous plant Perilla Leaf (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.) from the Lamiaceae family. It is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and other regions. The fruit is harvested in autumn when it matures and then dried in the sun. It is used either raw or lightly roasted, and crushed before use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Acrid, warm. Act on lung and large intestine meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Descending qi and resolving phlegm, relieving cough and calming asthma, moistening intestines to relieve constipation.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for phlegm congestion, qi counterflow, cough, and panting. This product excels in descending qi and resolving phlegm; when qi descends and phlegm dissipates, cough and panting naturally subside. It is often combined with white mustard seed, radish seed, namely Three-Seed Filial Devotion Decoction. For chronic cough disease with phlegm panting due to upper excess and lower deficiency, it is combined with Cassia Bark, Chinese Angelica, Magnolia Bark, and other ingredients that warm the kidney to resolve phlegm and lower qi, such as Perilla Fruit Qi-Descending Decoction.
2. Used for intestinal dryness and constipation. This product contains oils that can moisten dryness and lubricate the intestines, as well as descend and discharge lung qi to assist the large intestine in conduction. It is often combined with Bitter Apricot Seed, Hemp Seed, Trichosanthes Seed, etc., such as in Jisheng Fang Perilla Leaf Hemp Seed porridge.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bielu: "The main function is lowering qi, eliminating cold and warming the middle."
2. Benjing Fengyuan: "Its property is to lower qi, so it is suitable for those with chest and diaphragm discomfort... It is a good remedy for relieving asthma, calming cough, dispersing phlegm, and regulating qi. However, its nature is to promote dispersion, so it should not be used in cases of qi deficiency, chronic cough, yin deficiency with counterflow asthma, or spleen deficiency with loose stools."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 5-10g.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Use with caution in cases of yin deficiency with wheezing and cough, and spleen deficiency with loose stools.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains fatty oils (mainly linoleic acid and linolenic acid in the oil), vitamin B1, amino acids, and other components.

bubble_chart Supplementary Medicinals

The fruit of the white perilla plant, which belongs to the same family, has similar effects to perilla fruit and is also used in medicine, known as cultivated purple perilla fruit.