Perilla leaves, a medicinal herb used to treat many ailments.

Perilla is also known as purple perilla. Its Chinese names are purple perilla and red perilla (called purple or red perilla because the plant has a purple color). Perilla is warm in nature, spicy in taste, and acts on the lung, heart, and spleen meridians; it is non-toxic.

Perilla is also known as purple perilla. Its Chinese names are purple perilla and red perilla (called purple or red because the plant has a purple color). Perilla is warm in nature, spicy in taste, and acts on the lung, heart, and spleen meridians; it is non-toxic. The leaves are a very common aromatic herb and spice, and are also frequently used as a medicine to treat colds. The seeds are used to make tea and as a gas-reducing medicine, while the stems are used to promote a healthy pregnancy.

Perilla, a common medicinal plant found in home gardens.

Treating the common cold

Steam inhalation: Take perilla leaves and other aromatic leaves to make a pot for steaming and use it for washing. If the leaves are thoroughly washed, you can take a bowlful to drink before or after steaming.

After the steam bath, wipe off the sweat from your whole body, cover yourself with a blanket, and rest. Remember to only add the herbs to the pot when the water is boiling - cover tightly and open the lid when steaming.

Perilla leaf porridge: Cook rice porridge, pour into a bowl, and mix in finely chopped young perilla leaves. Eat hot. You can add onions. After steaming, lie down and rest for a while, then eat this bowl of porridge to relieve a cold; it is a very effective folk remedy.

Drinking perilla leaf tea: There are two ways. Crush 15-20g of fresh perilla leaves, add boiling water, strain, and drink the clear liquid. Or steep dried perilla leaves in boiling water and drink. After drinking, lie down and cover yourself with a blanket. Both methods are suitable for children and the elderly or infirm.

Foot soak: Put a large quantity of perilla leaves into a pot of boiling water, bring to a boil again, pour into a basin, cover with a sieve, and place both feet on top to steam. When the water cools, soak and wash both feet...

The remedy

Perilla Leaf Powder: Treats colds caused by wind and cold, fever, chills, headache, and chest tightness. Ingredients: 8g perilla leaves, 8g cyperus rhizome, 6g tangerine peel, 4g licorice root, 2 slices of ginger. Boil in water and drink. Can be combined with a steam inhalation method.

For pregnant women with a cold: Take a handful each of perilla leaves and mint leaves, boil them in two bowls of water until only one bowl remains, and drink it warm. Then, eat hot porridge, adding a fresh chicken egg to the bowl (a black chicken egg is even better).

For a common cold: Take a handful of perilla leaves, one dried, aged tangerine peel, and three slices of ginger. Boil water, then add the three ingredients, bring to a boil again, and drink hot. If it's difficult to drink, add a little rock sugar. This remedy is suitable when the patient experiences vomiting and abdominal pain.

Treats cough, asthma, phlegm, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

For the elderly and frail: Perilla leaves nourish the body and regulate qi, making them effective and safe for children, the elderly, and pregnant women with shortness of breath.

For external invasion of wind-cold: If there is respiratory inflammation, use the Tam Tu Duong Than Thang formula. Perilla seeds 6-12g, radish seeds 8-12g, white mustard seeds 6-8g.

Typhoid fever with asthma: Boil a handful of perilla leaves in water and drink gradually (Thiên Kim Phương).

For elderly people with asthma and shortness of breath: Take 100 grams of perilla seeds, roast them, grind them into a powder, add 2 bowls of water, stir well, and filter out the residue. Cook into a porridge and eat when hungry. "Very effective" (Nam Duoc Than Hieu - A Vietnamese folk medicine text).

For children with frequent coughing, rapid breathing, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the face): Grind 20g of perilla seeds into a powder, mix with lukewarm boiled water, strain, and give to the child to drink. For extra caution, put the powder in a cloth bag and steep it in boiling water. Alternatively, mix the powder into porridge, steep it in boiling water, or mix it with rice water for the child to drink.

Older-age cough (senile cough) with thick phlegm and shortness of breath (chronic bronchitis). If not caused by wind-cold or other diseases, use the "Three Seeds and Mother" decoction, consisting of 8 grams each of Perilla seed, Raphanus sativus seed, and Fritillaria bulb, and 2 grams of Brassica juncea seed. Boil and drink hot.

For coughs and asthma caused by lung deficiency or thick, sticky white phlegm, and chest tightness: Use the "Perilla Seed Wine" formula (Medical Convenience): 90g of perilla seeds, 1 liter of wine. Roast the perilla seeds until fragrant, grind them into a powder, and soak in good quality rice wine for 10 days. Strain the liquid and discard the residue. Drink 15-30ml each time, 3 times a day (morning, noon, and night). (Do not use if the cough has yellow phlegm, dry throat, thirst, or red lips).

Treating poisoning and rashes.

Food poisoning: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by eating foods such as crab and fish.

Crush enough perilla leaves to extract the juice for drinking: If there is itching or a rash (allergic reaction), apply the remaining pulp or fresh leaves to the affected area.

Perilla Detoxification Decoction: 10g perilla leaves, 8g fresh ginger, 2g licorice root. Boil in 600ml water until reduced to 200ml. Divide into 2-3 portions and drink hot throughout the day.

Constipation in elderly and debilitated individuals: Grind equal amounts of perilla seeds and tamarind seeds, let water settle, then boil the resulting liquid.

Take 10g each of perilla seeds and sesame seeds, grind them into a paste, add water, and use the resulting liquid to cook porridge. This remedy is also used for constipation caused by colon cancer.

For itchy skin and warts: Rub perilla leaves directly onto the affected area or crush them and put them in a cloth bag before rubbing.

In addition, perilla is also used to treat the following diseases:

Sore throat, toothache, and mouth inflammation: Use perilla leaves to make a decoction for rinsing, gargling, and drinking.

For persistent and loud hiccups: Roast 30-40g of perilla seeds until golden brown, then brew a decoction and drink continuously. Alternatively, take roasted perilla seeds, grind them into a powder, let it settle, and use the clear liquid (discard the residue) to cook porridge regularly.

To clear phlegm and relieve persistent hiccups: Use perilla seed porridge: Grind 20g of perilla seeds into a paste, add water, and squeeze out the juice to cook 100g of rice porridge. Stir in rock sugar before eating. Not suitable for people with diarrhea.

Chronic urinary retention: Drink the juice of fresh perilla leaves or boil dried perilla leaves in water. Heat fresh or dried perilla leaves with coarse salt and apply as a compress to the lower abdomen (bladder area). Alternatively, boil perilla leaves in water, pour into a basin, cover with a basket, and sit on it to steam.

Hemoptysis: Boil perilla leaves thoroughly, filter the liquid, and concentrate it into a paste. Roast red beans until cooked, grind them into a powder, and mix with the motherwort paste to form small pills. Take 30-50g each time with a little wine.

According to Health and Life