Perilla frutescens
What's the taxonomical classification of Perilla frutescens?
Periella frutescens belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant further falls under the order Lamiales and belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Perilla and is designated by the species epithet frutescens.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Perilla |
| Species | frutescens |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Periella frutescens has an erect, herbaceous growth habit characterized by square stems, opposite leaves, and small, bilabiate flowers arranged in terminal racemes. The leaves are typically ovate or lanceolate with serrated margins and a distinctively rugose texture. These leaves can vary in color from bright green to deep purple depending on the specific cultivar. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are usually white or pale lavender in color. Small, nut-like achenes develop within the calyx following successful pollination.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to East Asia, primarily occurring in the temperate regions of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils across these subtropical and temperate climates. While its natural range is concentrated in the Asian continent, it has been introduced to various other parts of the world through human cultivation. In many non-native regions, it grows as an escaped garden plant or a spontaneous weed in disturbed areas. Its ability to adapt to diverse environments allows it to persist in various global ecosystems outside of its original habitat.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Perilla frutescens, thrives when grown in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and requires full sun to partial shade for optimal leaf development.
Seeds should be sown directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed, as they are sensitive to cold temperatures. Maintaining consistent moisture is essential, but the soil must not remain waterlogged to prevent root rot. Regular pinching of the growing tips encourages the plant to become bushy and increases the overall leaf yield.
Once the plant begins to flower, harvesting should increase to prevent the energy from shifting away from the edible foliage.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Perilla frutescens provides medicinal value through its folium, seed, stem, root, and flower. The leaves, or folium, are frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat respiratory issues and digestive discomfort. Its seeds are harvested for their rich oil content and antioxidant properties. The stem and root can be processed into decoctions to help reduce inflammation or manage fever. Additionally, the flower is sometimes incorporated into herbal preparations for its soothing effects.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", the medicinal part of Perilla frutescens used is identified as Perillae folium. In this research, the matrix effects of 28 pesticides and their metabolites were evaluated using UHPLC-MS/MS analysis after QuECHeRs pretreatment. Stronger inhibition effects were observed for early or late elution pesticides in the matrices of Perillae folium. These findings suggest that matrix effects are influenced by factors such as the retention time of the analytes and the chemical composition of the matrices.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- folium
- seed
- stem
- root
- flower
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Perilla frutescens, has been utilized for centuries within Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Japanese Kampo system to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin conditions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the seeds and leaves are frequently employed to dispel cold and transform phlegm. Practitioners within the Kampo system also rely on its aromatic properties to regulate qi and alleviate nausea. Historically, various parts of the plant have been prepared as decoctions or topical applications to address specific bodily imbalances. This long-standing medicinal history highlights its significant role in East Asian herbal traditions.
According to a study published by "Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceuatical Society of Japan", the contents of 6-gingerol (Gi), guanosine (Gu) and rosmarinic acid (R) were compared in twelve kinds of ethical extract preparations of Hangekouboku-to. Little difference was found in the availability of these three compounds among three decoction methods. A great difference was found in the R content in the ethical extract preparations. No significant difference was found in the Gi and Gu contents, showing they were not lost in the manufacturing process. These results suggested that Periilla Herb of quite different quality was used as raw materials.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Kampo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Perilla frutescens?
This plant has diverse pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties. Its rich profile of bioactive compounds like rosmarinic acid helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in cells. These chemical constituents also work to inhibit inflammatory pathways and suppress the growth of harmful microbes. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates potential in regulating immune responses and inhibiting the proliferation of various cancer cell lines. These multifaceted biological effects make it a significant subject for therapeutic research.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (Lamiaceae) is a traditionally medicinal herb used to treat various diseases. Researchers investigated the low-polarity constituents of the aerial parts of P. frutescens and assayed their anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Through extensive spectroscopic analysis and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study, three new furanoiid monoterpenoids named frutescenoes A-C (1-3) and thirteen known compounds (4-16) were isolated and identified. Among these components, 1 is an unusual monoterpenoid with a 2,3'-bifuran skeleton and 3 is a rare perillaketone-adenine hybrid heterodimer. Furthermore, monoterpenoid 4 and alkaloid 15 showed a remarkably inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory mediator (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and/or IL-6) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-oxidant
- anti-microbial
- anti-tumor
- anti-depressant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several potent medicinal compounds including rosmarinic acid, perilla ketone, perillaldehyde, perillic acid, and perillyl alcohol. Rosmarinic acid provides significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to the plant's chemical profile. The volatile components perillaldehyde and perillyl alcohol are known for their antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. Perilla ketone contributes to the plant's unique aroma and may offer neuroprotective benefits. Additionally, perillic acid supports various therapeutic applications through its distinct biochemical actions.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", the accumulation of secondary metabolites in Perilla frutescens is influenced by photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and electrical conductivity (EC). The research measured these effects at PPFD values of 100, 200, and 300 μmol m-2 s-1 and EC values of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 dS m-1. Perillaaldehyde concentration (mg g-1) in red Perilla was unaffected by treatments, though total accumulation (mg per plant) increased as dry leaf weight increased. In green Perilla, Perillaaldehyde concentrations showed significant differences between the combination of the highest PPFD and highest EC compared to the lowest PPFD and lowest EC. Additionally, rosmarinic acid concentration (mg g-1) increased under a combination of low EC and high PPFD conditions.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Rosmarinic acid
- Perilla ketone
- Perillaldehyde
- Perillic acid
- Perillyl alcohol
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating asthma, allergies, inflammation, cancer, and various digestive disorders. Its bioactive compounds help regulate immune responses to alleviate respiratory issues and allergic reactions. The antioxidant properties found in its leaves are frequently studied for their ability to reduce systemic inflammation. Researchers also investigate its potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells through specific chemical pathways. Furthermore, its traditional use includes soothing digestive disorders by improving gastrointestinal function.
According to a study published by "Briefings in bioinformatics", the plant Perilla frutescens was identified as one of the herbal materials strongly associated with asthma. This association was part of an analytical approach applied to screen effective herbal material combinations and compounds for 5 phenotypes, which included asthma, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, and inflammation. The potential pharmacological effects of the inferred candidates, such as Perilla frutescens, were identified at the molecular level using structural network analysis and a literature review. Furthermore, compounds from Perilla frutescens were validated in vitro to confirm their association with asthma.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- asthma
- allergy
- cancer
- inflammation
- digestive issues
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is utilized to create diverse medicinal preparations including Perillae folium, Perilla Leaf Extract, Saiboku-to, essential oils, and decoctions. Perillae folium refers to the dried leaves used as a standardized herbal ingredient in various traditional remedies. The specific formula known as Saiboku-to incorporates these leaves to address respiratory and digestive issues in traditional medicine. Practitioners also utilize decoctions, which are liquid extracts made by boiling the plant material in water to release its active compounds. Finally, essential oils are distilled from the plant to capture its concentrated aromatic and therapeutic properties.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", the matrix effects of 28 pesticides and their metabolites were evaluated in medicinal herbal preparations including Periellae folium. The research utilized UHPLC-MS/MS analysis following QuECHeRs pretreatment to assess these effects. Stronger inhibition effects were observed specifically in matrices of Periellae folium. These findings indicate that matrix effects are influenced by the retention time of the analytes, the ionization mode of the precursor ions, the overall structure of the compounds, and the chemical composition of the matrices.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Periella Leaf Extract
- Perillae folium
- Saiboku-to
- Essential oils
- Decoctions
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, increased creatinine levels, lung toxicity, sedation, and depression in individuals who consume it. Excessive intake may lead to digestive issues such as nausea or stomach pain. High doses have been linked to elevated creatinine levels, which may indicate potential kidney strain. Some studies also suggest that the plant can trigger lung toxicity or respiratory complications. Furthermore, users might experience neurological side effects including sedation and feelings of depression.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton is one of the medicinal plants included in a mixture called Sam So Eum (SSE). In a 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity evaluation, SSE was administered to male and female rats at doses of 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg kg-1 day-1. Following oral administration of SSE at 2000 and 4000 mg kg-1 day-1, creatinine levels in the serum were significantly increased in male and female rats. These creatinine levels returned to normal levels during a 4-week recovery evaluation period. Ultimately, the study determined that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of SSE is 4000 mg kg-1 day-1.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- gastroiintestinial discomfort
- increased creatinine levels
- lung toxicity
- sedation
- depression
What herbs are paired with Perilla frutescens?
This plant pairs exceptionally well with aromatic herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro to enhance its complex, spicy profile.
When used in savory dishes, its peppery notes complement the brightness of lemongrass or the earthy undertones of thyme. In Asian-inspired cuisine, it frequently joins ginger and garlic to create deep, layered flavor bases for soups and stir-fries. Combining it with citrusy herbs like lemon verbena can also help balance its slightly bitter edges.
These combinations allow the unique characteristics of the perilla to shine through while adding culinary depth.