Cheap herbs in Vietnamese markets are valued by the Japanese.

In the Vietnamese flea markets, perilla is sold very cheaply, only a few thousand dong per bunch. Meanwhile, selected perilla sold in Japan costs 500-700 dong per leaf.

In Japan, research shows that perilla essential oil has antispasmodic effects by preventing free radical activity, inhibiting histamine production, reducing asthma, hives, and allergies. Compared to essential oils such as peppermint and fish mint, perilla essential oil is more highly valued.

In food processing, perilla is used in many dishes containing crab, snails, and fish. Japanese people often eat perilla with raw fish to prevent stomachaches and digestive disorders.

According to physician Vu Quoc Trung, Oriental Medicine Association of Van Giang, Hung Yen,perillaPerilla is a herbaceous plant usually under 1m tall, with opposite leaves, pointed at the tip, and serrated edges. Perilla has a fragrant, spicy taste, and is warm in nature. It is used as a spice or chopped to cook porridge to relieve colds, stomachaches, and diarrhea. Perilla also detoxifies seafood.

In Oriental medicine, doctors use the stem, leaves, branches, seeds, and roots of perilla. The dried leaves are boiled to treat colds, coughs, and phlegm. The branches combined with kudzu root help maintain pregnancy, reduce abdominal pain, and vomiting during pregnancy. Perilla seeds, also known as perilla, have the effect of reducing phlegm, expectorating phlegm, and treating asthma.

In particular, perilla is a medicinal herb for women because it helps treat menstrual cramps, hemorrhage, miscarriage, beautifies the skin, and prevents aging.

Common effects of perilla

Firstly, perilla has been used in traditional medicine in many countries for centuries, believed to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and digestive-improving effects.

Second, perilla is a versatile herb that is not only used as a spice or tea, but also in medicines, perfumes, lotions, and other personal care products.

Third, perilla is a source of nutrients that are beneficial for the body.healthsuch as vitamins A, C, K, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Therefore, eating perilla strengthens the immune system, maintains skin and bone health.

Fourth, there are two types of perilla, green and purple, but purple perilla leaves generally contain more antioxidants than the green variety.

According to Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Bay - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Combined Eastern and Western Medicine, perilla is a herb that has been used for thousands of years in both Europe and Asia. Perilla has a scientific name and its chemical components have been studied. The whole perilla plant contains essential oils, most concentrated in the leaves, which have anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and anti-allergy properties.

In addition, the ingredients in perilla seeds also contain fatty oils that are good for the body and cell membranes. Perilla seeds have a lot of unsaturated fats.

Associate Professor Bay said you can eat perilla leaves or boil perilla leaves to drink daily to help detoxify and reduce osteoarthritis or allergies./.