A remedy using perilla leaves combined with fresh ginger.
Perilla leaves, when combined with fresh ginger, tangerine peel, or chicken eggs, are not only a popular dish but also a remedy to help relieve colds, reduce coughs, stomach aches, and even aid in weight loss.
Perilla has long been a popular herb in Vietnamese cuisine, often eaten raw or cooked in soups and porridges. However, few people know that when combined with fresh ginger, an ingredient with warming and anti-inflammatory properties, perilla offers many outstanding health benefits, from aiding in colds and coughs to regulating digestion and controlling weight.
According to physician Bui Dac Sang of the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association, perilla is an evergreen herbaceous plant with a spicy taste and warm properties, growing abundantly in rural areas of Vietnam. In traditional medicine, perilla leaves are used to dispel cold and dampness, relieve colds, promote a healthy pregnancy, reduce abdominal pain, fight inflammation, and kill bacteria. Ginger is also a valuable herb, often combined with perilla to enhance therapeutic effects.
Relieve colds and reduce fever with perilla leaf and ginger tea.
One of the most common ways to use perilla leaves is to boil them with ginger and drink the resulting decoction. This remedy is often used for people with colds, mild fevers, coughs, or fatigue.
Instructions: Take a handful of fresh or dried perilla leaves, three slices of fresh ginger, and some tangerine peel. Wash them thoroughly and boil them in a pot with about a bowl of water. Drink the mixture while it's still hot, then cover yourself with a blanket and rest. This will help your body sweat, lower your fever, and make you feel better quickly.
Another remedy is to cook a porridge to relieve cold symptoms. Finely chop some perilla leaves, mix them with chopped scallions and a few slices of fresh ginger, then add them to a bowl of hot porridge. Add an egg, stir well, and eat while hot. This porridge not only warms the body but also provides nutrition for those recovering from illness.
Reduces bloating and stomach pain, and aids digestion.
Besides relieving colds, perilla leaves can also help reduce bloating and indigestion. Patients simply need to crush perilla leaves, squeeze out the juice, add a little salt, and drink it directly. This method is simple but quite effective, especially in cases of stomach chills and indigestion.
In traditional medicine, a decoction made from boiled perilla leaves and mulberry root bark helps reduce coughs, soothe the throat, and clear the airways – suitable for people with mild respiratory illnesses such as sore throat and the common cold.
Supports healthy weight loss, easy to apply at home.
Beyond its medicinal uses, perilla leaf tea is also used by many as a natural weight-loss aid. Perilla contains plant-based protein, B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium – components that can boost metabolism, increase energy expenditure, and reduce fat absorption into the body.
To use, simply soak perilla leaves in diluted salt water, rinse thoroughly, and place them in a pot with 2.5 liters of water. Boil for about 2 minutes, then turn off the heat and let cool. You can add a few slices of lemon to enhance the flavor. Store in the refrigerator to drink throughout the day. Drinking it 10-30 minutes before meals helps reduce appetite and supports more effective weight management.
Other benefits of perilla
Modern studies also show many benefits from perilla. Perilla leaves are rich in essential oils, especially alpha-linoleic acid - an unsaturated fatty acid that reduces inflammation, fights allergies, and even helps regulate emotions and prevent mild depression.
Perilla leaf extract also has antibacterial properties, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, and E. coli. In particular, for minor wounds, you can crush young perilla leaves and apply them directly to the affected area to stop bleeding, disinfect, and prevent scarring.
Notes on usage
Although it is a simple and safe folk remedy, users should still pay attention to the dosage and frequency of use. People with allergies, pregnant women, or those undergoing treatment for underlying medical conditions should consult a doctor or traditional medicine expert before long-term use.
Perilla leaves and ginger – two common kitchen ingredients that, when combined correctly, can become a "natural remedy" to boost health and help treat many common symptoms in daily life.
