PERILLA

Health benefits of Perilla

Listed below are few of the health benefits of using Perilla

1. Lowers Cholesterol

Seeds are great for lowering LDL or bad cholesterol and increasing HDL or good cholesterol thus helping to prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes, and even cancer. And it also helps to prevent atherosclerosis.

2. Lowered Heart Disease Risk

Just like what’s mentioned earlier, the superb ratio of healthy fats in perilla makes this herb beneficial for preventing heart disease. It helps in maintaining healthy blood vessels, keeping them from becoming hard and prone to accumulating plaque. Antioxidants in perilla help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the food you eat, keeping them out of the arteries where they can collect and cause some very serious problems.

3. Anti-Depressant Agent and Great for the Brain

Because of all the powerful antioxidant properties of Perilla Seeds, the oils have a major effect on our dopamine centers in our brain thus helping to make us feel happier. And it also helps to optimize brain function and help with memory. The University of Maryland Medical also found that ALA found in Perilla Seeds can help with depression.

4. Increase Immunity

Compounds present in this herb have been recognized to trigger interferon activity which helps in promoting the health of the immune system and thus keeping numerous diseases at a bay.

5. Reduce stomach discomfort

Leaves of perilla consist of flavonoids, which help relieve the signs of stomach discomfort. This includes bloating, nausea and the passage of gas. The oil can also help reduce inflammation in the stomach thus improving digestion whilst reducing the effects of indigestion.

6. Reduced Oxidative Stress

There are a number of health nightmares that can be traced back to oxidative stress. They range anywhere from arthritis to cancer. Oxidative stress is something that happens when the body becomes flooded with excessive amounts of free radicals. Antioxidants found copiously in perilla are the ones that are totally capable of wiping out those excess free radicals, and that’s why the herb is often used for the prevention of issues related to oxidative stress.

7. Cancer

Because of all the powerful antioxidants Perilla Seeds have the ability to prevent the growth of cancer cells as found in laboratory settings. The more antioxidants we consume daily the lower our chances of having cancer.

8. Prevents Cavities

Perilla Seeds and the plant consist of lots of Luteolin which helps to reduce dental cavities. Japan’s Asahi University found that Perilla Seeds and leaves prevent the growth of detrimental bacteria in the mouth.

9. Effective shield against sun

Paste of the perilla leaves when applied on skin tends to prevent sun burn. Consumed as a decoction it is also known to be beneficial in preventing sun stroke. Not only does it prevent the above mentioned diseases it also helps in curing sunstrokes or warts if already occurred.

10. Decrease stomach and intestinal discomforts

Leaf is especially important for this function, as it consists of flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid. Research has shown that perilla can help improve bloating, passage of gas, rumbling, and feeling of fullness shortly after starting to take an extract through prokinetic (helps strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing acid reflux) and antispasmodic (prevents and decreases cramping) effects.

11. Managed Joint Pain and Inflammation

Fatty acids present in perilla are helpful most especially for people who are regularly bugged by achy and swollen joints. It’s for the fact that those beneficial fats support the joints, keeping them from becoming painful and inflamed. Supplementing with perilla may help those who are susceptible to arthritis as they can be saved from the need to regularly pop NSAIDs in their mouths, which are drugs known to carry all sorts of side effects and risks.

12. Great for Asthma, Colds, Allergies, and Bronchitis

Perilla seeds consist of lots of quercetin, luteolin, alpha-lineolic acid, and rosmarinic acid which are all great for healing the respiratory tract and helping a person to breathe easy. “International Archives of Allergy and Immunology” article found that with four weeks of treatment with Perilla Seeds greatly increased lung capacity.

13. Effective against infection or swelling

The herb has been known to contain rosmaric acid which is one of the prime compounds which helps in prevention against skin allergies and swelling. Extract from the leaves is known to prevent any such situations from occurring.

14. Great for Problem Skin

Perilla Oil is used in cosmetics and works great for problem skin. With all the anti-inflammatory qualities, antioxidants, antibacterial, and the ability to help retain more water in the skin it works wonders for healing rashes, acne, and helps to get rid of wrinkles and create a youthful great looking skin.

15. Maintain Oral Health

According to the researches carried out in Japan this herb is known to possess anti-microbial properties and tends to maintain oral health. When consumed orally it tends to avoid issues such as bleeding of gums as well as reduction of any oral cavities.

16. Improves wellbeing

Perilla consists of Rosmarinic and Caffeic Acid, which have been recognized as having antidepressant qualities, therefore helping relieve you of stress and anxiety issues. The herb is also used in aromatherapy to help people relax and let go of any tension they tend to harbor and feel.

17. Managed Joint Pain and Inflammation

Fatty acids present in perilla are helpful most especially for people who are regularly bugged by achy and swollen joints. It’s for the fact that those beneficial fats support the joints, keeping them from becoming painful and inflamed. Supplementing with perilla may help those who are prone to arthritis as they can be saved from the need to regularly pop NSAIDs in their mouths, which are drugs known to carry all sorts of side effects and risks.

18. Reduced Allergy Signs and Symptoms

Perilla is known to lend a hand to people who are suffering from allergies. That’s because the herb is proven to help control the release of histamine in the body, which happens during exposure to allergens. Numerous researches have shown that perilla is indeed effective in controlling various allergy signs and symptoms, including itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and even shortness of breath.

Traditional uses and benefits of Perilla

  • Dried leaves are used for many applications in Chinese herbal medicine, including treatment of respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, coughs, colds), as an antispasmodic, to induce sweating, to quell nausea, and to alleviate sunstroke.

  • It decreases inflammation or swelling in the Body.

  • Seed extract of Perilla is used to treat Allergies.

  • Methanolic extract of roasted defatted Perilla seed exhibits strong Antioxidant property.

  • It prevents the cells from any oxidative damage.

  • Perilla Seed extract prevents cavity and periodontal diseases.

  • It prevents the growth of any harmful microorganisms in the Body.

  • Perilla leaf extracts acts as an immuno stimulant.

  • It activates Phagocytosis in the Body.

  • It stimulates the working of Immune System.

  • Perilla Seed Oil possesses neuro-protective effect.

  • It protects the nerve cells from any functional impairment or damage.

  • Oral ingestion of Perilla Seed oil makes brain cells less sensitive to reactive oxygen, Nitrogen and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

  • Perilla Oil also lowers bad Cholesterol level in the Body.

  • Perilla leaf is considered as a surface-relieving herb used for common cold and similar types of acute disorders that might involve stuffy nose, cough, and headache; it is considered best for treating “wind-cold” type disorders.

  • Seeds of this herb are also chewed and consumed for sound oral health.

  • In traditional Chinese medicine, shiso or perilla leaves infusions were used to treat persistent cough and stuffy nose symptoms.

  • Shiso tea or powder was believed to alleviate nausea and vomiting in pregnancy as well as relieve abdominal cramps as a result of indigestion or food poisoning.

  • Immature flower clusters are used as a garnish for soups and chilled tofu.

  • Older flower clusters are fried and eaten.

  • Seeds are preserved in salt or are used as a spice in pickles, tempura and miso.

  • Leaves are used in the treatment of colds, chest stuffiness, vomiting, abdominal pain etc.

  • The juice of the leaves is applied to cuts and wounds.

  • Seed is used internally in the treatment of asthma, colds and chills, nausea, abdominal pain, food poisoning and allergic reactions (especially from seafood), bronchitis and constipation.

  • Stems are a traditional Chinese remedy for morning sickness.

  • Leaf juice is used to expel intestinal worms and cut wounds in Dekhatbhuli, Nepal.

  • Perilla root paste mixed with goat urine is used as a poultice for rheumatoid arthritis twice daily for one week.

  • Juice of the fresh leaves is utilized for curing injuries and the seed oil for massaging infants.

  • Other indications for using the leaves include dissipating colds, promoting the circulation of Qi, toning the stomach, and detoxification.

Culinary Uses

  • Leaves and seeds are widely eaten in Asia.

  • Perilla buns are made with glutinous sorghum or glutinous rice flour dough filled with red bean paste and wrapped with perilla leaves.

  • Perilla leaves are used to make efen, “steamed bun” in Manchu cuisine.

  • Perilla seeds are roasted and ground with salt, chilies, and tomatoes to make a savory side dish or chutney.

  • Seeds of Bhangira (cultivated Perilla) are eaten raw, the seed oil is used for cooking purposes, and the oil cake is consumed raw or fed to cattle in Kumaon.

  • Roasted seeds are also ground to prepare spicy chutney.

  • Seeds and leaves of Perilla are also used for flavoring curries.

  • Manipuri cuisine uses the ground roasted seed in a salad locally known as ‘singju’.

  • In Korean cuisine, perilla leaves are widely used as an herb and a vegetable.

  • It can be used fresh as Assam vegetable, fresh or blanched as a namul vegetable, or pickled in soy sauce or soybean paste to make jangajji (pickle) or kimchi.

  • Perilla seeds are either toasted or grounded into powder called deulkkae-garu or toasted and pressed to make perilla oil.

  • Toasted deulkkae powder is used as a spice and a condiment for guk (soup), namul (seasoned vegetable dishes), guksu (noodle dishes), kimchi, and eomuk (fishcake).

  • It is also used as coating or topping for desserts: Yeot and several tteok (rice cake) varieties can be coated with toasted perilla powder.

  • Perilla oil made from toasted perilla seeds is used as cooking oil and as a condiment.

  • In Korean-style western food, perilla leaves are occasionally used to substitute basil and the seed powder and oil is used in salad dressings as well as in dipping sauces.

  • Seeds are good in salads, and they are great in soups, stews, veggie dishes, and other dishes.

  • Plant yields an essential oil which is used as a food flavoring in candies and sauce.

  • Seed is used for meat preservation and flavoring foods. more about exipure