Perilla Folium, Perilla leaf, Zi Su Ye 紫苏叶

Perilla leaf
Zi Su Ye (TCM)
Picture Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, vol. 50 (1823)

Picture Perilla frutescens
(Photo by Dalgial) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Perilla frutescens

Parts used:


Leaf

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent

Classification:


A. Clear Exterior Wind-Cold

Uses:


1. Clears Wind-Cold, Resists Poison:
-Cold, Flu with Cough
-acute Cough with Cold-Phlegm
-Fish or Crab poisoning
-Dog and Snake bite (Li Shi Zhen)
-“Disperses invading pathogenic Cold and Heat” (Meng Xian)
-“Dissolves Phlegm and facilitates Lung function” (Li Shi Zhen)

2. Moves the Qi, Harmonises the Stomach:
-Nausea, Vomiting
-traditionally taken for overconsumption of meat
-“Tones the interior and reinforces Qi” (Da Ming)
-“Replenishes the Spleen and Stomach” (Su Song)

3. Calms the Fetus:
-Restless Fetus, Morning Sickness


Dose:


Decoction: 5–9 grams

Comment:


1. “Perilla seed (Zi Su Zi) and Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye) have similar functions. When it is intended to disperse the invading pathogenic Wind, Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye) should be used. If it is wished to clear the upper and lower portion of body, Perilla seed (Zi Su Zi) is a better drug.” (Li Shi Zhen)
2. “The seed is even better than the leaf” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)

Main Combinations:


“It functions better with Tangerine peel (Ju Pi)” (Su Song)

1. Cold, Influenza:
i. from Wind-Cold-Damp, Perilla leaf with Pogostemon Huo Xiang
ii. with productive Cough, Perilla leaf with Platycodon Jie Geng
2. To clear pathogens from the muslces, Perilla leaf with Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu, Ephedra Ma Huang (Li Shi Zhen)
3. Fullness in the Chest or Abdomen from Qi stagnation and Damp:
i. Perilla leaf with Bitter Orange Zhi Qiao
ii. Perilla leaf with Amomum Sha Ren, Citrus Chen Pi
4. To clear Phlegm and settle Asthma, Perilla leaf with Apricot kernel (Xing Ren), Radish seed (Lai Fu Zi)
5. To warm the interior and relieve pain, Perilla leaf with Agastache, Huo Xiang, Lindera Wu Yao. (Li Shi Zhen)
6. Blood stasis and to harmonise the Blood, Perilla leaf with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui (Li Shi Zhen)
7. Seafood Poisoning, Perilla leaf with fresh Ginger
8. Morning Sickness:
i. from Cold-Damp, Perilla leaf with fresh Ginger
ii. from Heat, Perilla leaf with Coptis Huang Lian
9. To calm the Fetus, Perilla leaf with Tangerine peel (Ju Pi), Amomum Sha Ren (Li Shi Zhen)

Cautions:


1. Exterior Conditions (Cold, Flu) with excess Sweating
2. Acute Heat diseases (Infectious Diseases) with Fever
3. Long term uses was said to consume Qi.

Main Preparations used: