Perilla: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an edible herb native to many countries in Asia. Its leaves and oil are used in cooking and as medicine.

Perilla leaf, seed, and stem are used as three different Chinese medicines. It contains chemicals that might decrease swelling and help reduce the growth of cancer cells. Perilla seed oil is also high in the fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid.

People use perilla for hay fever, asthma, canker sores, dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse perilla with other plants with similar common names, including alpha-linolenic acid, coleus, salvia divinorum, English horsemint, Japanese mint, peppermint, spearmint, and wild mint. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Perilla overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Perilla extract and perilla oil are possibly safe when used for up to 12 months. It seems to be well-tolerated, but some people might be allergic to perilla.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Perilla extract and perilla oil are possibly safe when used for up to 12 months. It seems to be well-tolerated, but some people might be allergic to perilla.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if perilla is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Perilla overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of perilla might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Co-op Phytother, 1997.

The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

Golik A, Zaidenstein R, Dishi V, et al. Effects of captopril and enalapril on zinc metabolism in hypertensive patients. J Am Coll Nutr 1998;17:75-8.

Okamoto M, Mitsunobu F, Ashida K, et al. Effects of perilla seed oil supplementation on leukotriene generation by leucocytes in patients with asthma associated with lipometabolism. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2000;122:137-42.

Makino T, Ono T, Muso E, Honda G. Inhibitory effect of Perilla frutescens and its phenolic constituents on cultured murine mesangial cell proliferation. Planta Med 1998;64:541-45.

Inouye, S., Uchida, K., and Yamaguchi, H. In-vitro and in-vivo anti-Trichophyton activity of essential oils by vapour contact. Mycoses 2001;44(3-4):99-107.

Inouye, S., Yamaguchi, H., and Takizawa, T. Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on respiratory tract pathogens, using a modified dilution assay method. J Infect.Chemother. 2001;7(4):251-254.

Okamoto, M., Mitsunobu, F., Ashida, K., Mifune, T., Hosaki, Y., Tsugeno, H., Harada, S., and Tanizaki, Y. Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids compared with n-6 fatty acids on bronchial asthma. Intern Med 2000;39(2):107-111.

Makino, T., Ono, T., Muso, E., Honda, G., and Sasayama, S. Suppressive effects of Perilla frutescens on spontaneous IgA nephropathy in ddY mice. Nephron 1999;83(1):40-46.

Nakazawa, T. and Ohsawa, K. Metabolites of orally administered Perilla frutescens extract in rats and humans. Biol.Pharm.Bull. 2000;23(1):122-127.

Shin, T. Y., Kim, S. H., Kim, S. H., Kim, Y. K., Park, H. J., Chae, B. S., Jung, H. J., and Kim, H. M. Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in rats by Perilla frutescens. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. 2000;22(3):489-500.

Makino, T., Ito, M., Kiuchiu, F., Ono, T., Muso, E., and Honda, G. Inhibitory effect of decoction of Perilla frutescens on cultured murine mesangial cell proliferation and quantitative analysis of its active constituents. Planta Med 2001;67(1):24-28.

Ueda, H. and Yamazaki, M. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic actions by oral administration of a perilla leaf extract in mice. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem 2001;65(7):1673-1675.

Yamamoto, H. and Ogawa, T. Antimicrobial activity of perilla seed polyphenols against oral pathogenic bacteria. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 2002;66(4):921-924.

Makino, T., Ono, T., Liu, N., Nakamura, T., Muso, E., and Honda, G. Suppressive effects of rosmarinic acid on mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in rats. Nephron 2002;92(4):898-904.

Makino, T., Ono, T., Matsuyama, K., Nogaki, F., Miyawaki, S., Honda, G., and Muso, E. Suppressive effects of Perilla frutescens on IgA nephropathy in HIGA mice. Nephrol.Dial.Transplant. 2003;18(3):484-490.

Kurowska, E. M., Dresser, G. K., Deutsch, L., Vachon, D., and Khalil, W. Bioavailability of omega-3 essential fatty acids from perilla seed oil. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 2003;68(3):207-212.

Ueda, H., Yamazaki, C., and Yamazaki, M. Inhibitory effect of Perilla leaf extract and luteolin on mouse skin tumor promotion. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003;26(4):560-563.

Takano, H., Osakabe, N., Sanbongi, C., Yanagisawa, R., Inoue, K., Yasuda, A., Natsume, M., Baba, S., Ichiishi, E., and Yoshikawa, T. Extract of Perilla frutescens enriched for rosmarinic acid, a polyphenolic phytochemical, inhibits seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in humans. Exp.Biol.Med.(Maywood.) 2004;229(3):247-254.

Sanbongi, C., Takano, H., Osakabe, N., Sasa, N., Natsume, M., Yanagisawa, R., Inoue, K. I., Sadakane, K., Ichinose, T., and Yoshikawa, T. Rosmarinic acid in perilla extract inhibits allergic inflammation induced by mite allergen, in a mouse model. Clin Exp Allergy 2004;34(6):971-977.

Baba, S., Osakabe, N., Natsume, M., Yasuda, A., Muto, Y., Hiyoshi, K., Takano, H., Yoshikawa, T., and Terao, J. Absorption, metabolism, degradation and urinary excretion of rosmarinic acid after intake of Perilla frutescens extract in humans. Eur J Nutr 2005;44(1):1-9.

Kanzaki, T. and Kimura, S. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from Perilla frutescens (shiso). Contact Dermatitis 1992;26(1):55-56.

Osakabe, N., Takano, H., Sanbongi, C., Yasuda, A., Yanagisawa, R., Inoue, K., and Yoshikawa, T. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect of rosmarinic acid (RA); inhibition of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and its mechanism. Biofactors 2004;21(1-4):127-131.

Kim, H. K. and Choi, H. Stimulation of acyl-CoA oxidase by alpha-linolenic acid-rich perilla oil lowers plasma triacylglycerol level in rats. Life Sci 8-5-2005;77(12):1293-1306.

Ko, W. C., Shih, C. M., Leu, I. J., Chen, T. T., and Chang, J. P. Mechanisms of relaxant action of luteolin in isolated guinea pig trachea. Planta Med 2005;71(5):406-411.

Hamazaki, K., Itomura, M., Hamazaki, T., and Sawazaki, S. Effects of cooking plant oils on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Nutrition 2006;22(5):534-538.

Narisawa, T., Takahashi, M., Kotanagi, H., Kusaka, H., Yamazaki, Y., Koyama, H., Fukaura, Y., Nishizawa, Y., Kotsugai, M., Isoda, Y., and . Inhibitory effect of dietary perilla oil rich in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid on colon carcinogenesis in rats. Jpn.J Cancer Res 1991;82(10):1089-1096.

Hirose, M., Masuda, A., Ito, N., Kamano, K., and Okuyama, H. Effects of dietary perilla oil, soybean oil and safflower oil on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine (DMH)-induced mammary gland and colon carcinogenesis in female SD rats. Carcinogenesis 1990;11(5):731-735.

Gatchalian-Yee, M., Imamura, M., Nonaka, M., Gu, J. Y., and Sugano, M. Effect of dietary fats on cholesterol metabolism and eicosanoid production in hamsters fed undigested fraction of soybean protein. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol.(Tokyo) 1994;40(5):499-504.

Imaoka, K., Inouye, S., Takahashi, T., and Kojima, Y. [Effects of Perilla frutescens extract on anti-DNP IgE antibody production in mice]. Arerugi 1993;42(1):74-80.

Ueda, H. and Yamazaki, M. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by orally administering a perilla leaf extract. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem 1997;61(8):1292-1295.

Gu, J. Y., Wakizono, Y., Dohi, A., Nonaka, M., Sugano, M., and Yamada, K. Effect of dietary fats and sesamin on the lipid metabolism and immune function of Sprague-Dawley rats. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 1998;62(10):1917-1924.

Ihara, M., Umekawa, H., Takahashi, T., and Furuichi, Y. Comparative effects of short- and long-term feeding of safflower oil and perilla oil on lipid metabolism in rats. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol.Biol 1998;121(2):223-231.

Buchwald-Werner S, Fujii H, Reule C, Schoen C. Perilla extract improves gastrointestinal discomfort in a randomized placebo controlled double blind human pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med 2014;14:173.

Yu H, Qiu JF, Ma LJ, Hu YJ, Li P, Wan JB. Phytochemical and phytopharmacological review of Perilla frutescens L. (Labiatae), a traditional edible-medicinal herb in China. Food Chem Toxicol 2017;108(Pt B):375-91.

Benegut Spreadsheet. RFI Ingredients. Available at: https://rfiingredients.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Benegut_07122016.pdf. Accessed: November 18, 2018.

Francois CA, Connor SL, Wander RC, Connor WE. Acute effects of dietary fatty acids on the fatty acids of human milk. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;67(2):301-8.

Thomas SS, Kim M, Lee SJ, Cha YS. Antiobesity effects of purple perilla (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) on adipocyte differentiation and mice fed a high-fat diet. J Food Sci. 2018;83(9):2384-2393.

Uemura T, Yashiro T, Oda R, et al. Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of perillaldehyde. J Agric Food Chem. 2018;66(13):3443-3448.

Zhang X, Yang Q. Association between serum copper levels and lung cancer risk: A meta-analysis. J Int Med Res. 2018;46(12):4863-4873.

Wang F, Zhu H, Hu M, et al. Perilla oil supplementation improves hypertriglyceridemia and gut dysbiosis in diabetic KKAy mice. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018;62(24):e1800299.

Hashimoto M, Matsuzaki K, Kato S, Hossain S, Ohno M, Shido O. Twelve-month studies on Perilla oil intake in Japanese adults-possible supplement for mental health. Foods. 2020 Apr 22;9(4):530.

Zhong Y, Zheng Q, Hu P, et al. Sedative and hypnotic effects of Perilla frutescens essential oil through GABAergic system pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Nov 24:113627.

Jeong K, Lee SY, Jeon SA, et al. Clinical and immunological characterization of perilla seed allergy in children. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2021.

Hashimoto M, Matsuzaki K, Hossain S, et al. Perilla Seed Oil Enhances Cognitive Function and Mental Health in Healthy Elderly Japanese Individuals by Enhancing the Biological Antioxidant Potential. Foods 2021;10(5):1130.

Koonyosying P, Kusirisin W, Kusirisin P, et al. Perilla Fruit Oil-Fortified Soybean Milk Intake Alters Levels of Serum Triglycerides and Antioxidant Status, and Influences Phagocytotic Activity among Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2022;14(9):1721.

Kawamura A, Nemoto K, Sugita M. Effect of 8-week intake of the n-3 fatty acid-rich perilla oil on the gut function and as a fuel source for female athletes: a randomised trial. Br J Nutr 2022.

Hashimoto M, Matsuzaki K, Maruyama K, et al. Perilla seed oil in combination with nobiletin-rich ponkan powder enhances cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a possible supplement for brain health in the elderly. Food Funct 2022;13(5):2768-2781.

Matsuzaki K, Hossain S, Wakatsuki H, et al. Perilla seed oil improves bone health by inhibiting bone resorption in healthy Japanese adults: A 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res 2023;37(6):2230-2241.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.