Description
Perilla Leaves have wide applications in traditional Chinese medicine. They are believed to have properties such as clearing heat, detoxifying, regulating Qi, invigorating the spleen, and promoting digestion. They are often used to treat gastrointestinal discomfort, poor appetite, indigestion, and other related issues. Perilla Leaves are also used to alleviate cold symptoms, relieve allergies, and improve blood circulation.
Perilla Leaves can be consumed fresh or dried. Fresh Perilla Leaves have a unique aroma and flavour and are commonly used in various dishes, salads, soups, and teas. Dried Perilla Leaves are used for decoctions, medicinal preparations, culinary uses, and tea infusions.
· Botanical Source : The dried leaf of the Perilla frutescens var. arguta plant. The plant is characterized by its distinctive purple-green, ruffled leaves and a strong, aromatic fragrance.
Warm in nature. Pungent/Acrid in taste. It enters the lungs, spleen and stomach meridians.
· The Warm nature helps to disperse Cold.
· The Pungent flavour promotes sweating, circulates Qi, and has an outward-moving, dispersing effect.
· Perilla Leaves / Perillae Folium’s main actions are related to the Lungs (respiratory system) and the Spleen/Stomach (digestive system).
Health Benefits
Perilla leaves have the benefits of dispelling cold and relieving exterior symptoms, relieving coughs and asthma, promoting Qi and soothing the stomach, stabilizing pregnancy, and detoxifying fish and crab toxicity. They are commonly used to treat colds, coughs, gastrointestinal distension, vomiting, and to help pregnant women alleviate pregnancy symptoms. Perilla leaves also have anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve discomfort after consuming fish and crab.
Releases the Exterior and Disperses Wind-Cold
· This is its primary function. It is used for the common cold or flu that presents with Wind-Cold symptoms. Its pungent and warm nature induces a light sweat to “release” the pathogenic factor from the body’s surface.
· Symptoms it treats : Aversion to cold, fever, headache, body aches, and absence of sweat (a key sign that the exterior is locked).
Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Spleen & Stomach
· It moves Qi, which helps to alleviate stagnation, especially in the Stomach and Spleen. It is excellent for treating digestive issue.
· Symptoms it treats : Feeling of fullness and distension in the chest and abdomen, nausea, vomiting, belching, and poor appetite. It is famously used for crab or seafood poisoning to counteract toxicity and chill.
Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Cough
· The Lung governs Qi and respiration. When Lung Qi fails to descend, it rebels upward, causing cough and wheezing. Zǐ Sū Yè’s descending action helps to stop this.
· Symptoms it treats: Cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, especially when related to an exterior cold.
Resolves Toxin and Fish/Seafood Poisoning
· A traditional and specific use. It is administered as a decoction for poisoning from crab, shellfish, or other seafood, which are considered “cold and toxic” in nature. Its warm property counteracts the cold and its aromatic nature disperses the toxin.
Ideal for Individual Experiencing :
· The Common Cold & Flu : Specifically for the Wind-Cold type in its early stages (chills, no sweat, headache).
· Digestive Issues : For nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and hiccups caused by Qi stagnation.
· Respiratory Issues : For cough and wheezing accompanying a cold.
· Pregnancy : It is sometimes used under guidance of traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to alleviate morning sickness due to its ability to harmonize the Stomach and regulate the Qi downward.
· Food Poisoning : Particularly from seafood.
Ideal for Individual Experiencing :
· Colds : Colds caused by wind and cold, with symptoms including chills, fever, headache, and nasal congestion.
· Gastrointestinal discomfort : Chest and abdominal distension, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
· Pregnancy symptoms : Morning sickness and fetal movement disturbances.
· Seafood poisoning : Abdominal pain and diarrhoea caused by eating fish and crabs.
Common Usage and Preparation
1. Tea / Decoction : Steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Can be re-steeped several times. or Simmer on the stove for a richer flavour.
2. Powder or Capsules : Ground into a powder and taken with warm water or encapsulated. For convenient daily supplementation in smaller, maintained doses.
Precautions
· Excess Heat Conditions : Such as fever, flu, cold, sore throat, inflammation.
· Qi Deficiency or Yin Deficiency with internal heat due to its dispersing and warming nature, which can potentially consume Qi and fluids.
· Pregnancy : Recommended to use under the guidance of doctor. All herbs are not for infants.
· Medical Conditions : If you have hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, allergy or are on medication, consultation with a doctor is essential.
** Disclaimer: Not a substitute for medicine. Individual results may vary. Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare professional before consume any herbal medicine, especially when you have underlying health conditions.
