BS.CKI Lam Nguyen Thuy An (Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital – Facility 3) said that in traditional medicine (Traditional Medicine), perilla has a spicy taste, a warm nature, and is associated with waste and spleen. This herb is a familiar spice, not only used with and processed into many delicious dishes, but also has the effect of supporting the treatment of diseases.
Precious medicinal herbs support healing, beauty
Also according to BS.CKI Lam Nguyen Thuy An, perilla has long been used as a natural medicine to restore various symptoms, such as diseases related to cough, cold, fever, chills, headache, stuffy nose, asthma, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, allergies, intoxication and some intestinal disorders.
Some scientific reports show that perilla contains rosmarinic acid, which can help inhibit seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in humans. One study also showed that oral rosmarinic acid supplementation was an effective intervention for patients aged 21-53 years with mild seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, alleviating symptoms of itchy nose, watery eyes, and itchy eyes.
Pure perilla essential oil extracted from organs such as buds, stems, leaves… is also known to have various biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and antioxidant.
The perillaldehyde component in the essential oil of perilla leaves has also been found to have antidepressant properties.
Besides, perilla seeds are a good source of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. In addition, the content of unsaturated fatty acids in perilla seed oil is usually over 90%, contains a fairly high content of α-linolenic acid, ranging from 52.58% to 61.98%, which is expected to help the body reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce the risk of colon cancer and prevent the overgrowth of visceral adipose tissue.
Talking about the beauty uses of perilla, BS.CKI Thuy An also said that the composition of vegetable protein, fiber and many essential vitamins and minerals in this vegetable has the ability to promote the stomach, enhance metabolism, metabolism. In particular, the amount of fiber in this leaf also has the effect of building muscle, helping to make a toned and slim body similar to exercise and sports.
Perilla leaf extract has been shown to inhibit tyrosinase and melatonin synthesis in rats, showing potential for skin lightening. Drinking perilla leaf juice every day replenishes the body with a large amount of nutrients that play a role in preventing the formation of melanin pigment, the cause of melasma, freckles, brown spots on the skin.
Who should be careful?
BS.CKI Thuy An also said that although perilla has many benefits, it also has some undesirable effects. Using perilla too much can make people tired, poor appetite, shallow breathing, dizziness, constipation, red urine …
People who are hot and sweat a lot should not use it, because perilla leaves have medicinal properties that make users sweat a lot, prolonged use can make the disease worse.
For pregnant women, although perilla has a safe effect on pregnancy, if used a lot and for a long time can also increase blood pressure.
BS.CKI Thuy An should also note that perilla has only a supportive effect, in case of serious illness, it should not be used as a substitute for medicine, but should be examined and treated by a specialist.
How to use perilla
Here are some suggestions of BS.CKI Thuy An to use perilla to help relieve cough, sputum, shortness of breath, enhance qi, and at the same time support treatment of asthma, colds, beautify skin…
– Perilla leaves are washed, soaked in diluted salt water, then taken out, drained, used as raw vegetables.
– Perilla leaf porridge: Wash perilla leaves, cut into small pieces and mix with white rice porridge, eat while still hot. This method helps to drain sweat out, relieve cold quickly.
– Fresh perilla leaves can be used as a spice to add to some dishes such as porridge, soups from tomatoes, eggplant, tofu…
– Drink perilla juice: 15 – 20 g of fresh perilla, crushed, prepare boiling water to decant clear water to drink.
Perilla tea: Wash perilla leaves, dry or add a little rock sugar to perilla leaves, boil, filter the water to cool and add lemon juice and then use.
– Bathing or steaming: Fresh perilla branches and leaves, finely chopped, washed and soaked in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Mix with cold water to warm enough to bathe about 4 times a week.