Perillae Fructus
Aliases：Su Zi, Hei Su Zi, Chi Su, Bai Su, Xiang Su, Tie Su Zi, Ren Zi, Shui Su Zi, Ye Ma Zi, Hui Hui Su.
Zi Su Zi (Perilla Fruit) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is a commonly used medicinal material for relieving cough and wheezing. It is the dried mature fruit of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. arguta (Benth.) Hand.-Mazz. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. purpurascens (Hayata) H.W. Li, plants belonging to the genus Perilla of the family Lamiaceae. Perilla Fruit has been included in the list of "substances that are both food and medicinal materials according to traditional practice" (medicinal and edible dual-use).
Efficacy & Actions
Directs Qi downward and resolves phlegm; relieves cough and calms wheezing; moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements.
Indications
Used for profuse phlegm with rebellious Qi upward, cough and wheezing, and constipation due to intestinal dryness.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Perilla Fruit exhibits antitussive, expectorant, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, memory-improving, hepatoprotective, and antitumor effects. The alcohol extract of stir-fried Perilla Fruit demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immune-enhancing activities. The fatty oil extract of Perilla Fruit has lipid-lowering effects. Perilla Fruit contains two major categories of anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory substances—fatty acids and polyphenols—both of which act as allergy mediator antagonists. Perilla Fruit and its active constituents also exhibit hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anti-aging, and memory-enhancing pharmacological effects.
Ingredients
Perilla Fruit contains a variety of chemical components, including volatile oils, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and others. The main fatty acid components include oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid; the main phenolic acid component is rosmarinic acid. It also contains amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements. Studies have shown that rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin, apigenin, α-linolenic acid, and perillyl alcohol can serve as quality markers for Perilla Fruit.
Usage & Dosage
Decoct for oral administration, 3–10 g. May also be made into pills or powders. It should be crushed before use.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Lung deficiency with wheezing and cough, and Spleen deficiency with loose stools. It is not suitable for those with Yin deficiency and wheezing cough. It should also not be used in cases of prolonged cough due to Qi deficiency, or Yin deficiency with counterflow wheezing. Avoid eating carp during the period of medication.
Selected Formulas
For cough, wheezing, profuse phlegm, chest fullness, and inability to lie flat (Heji Ju Fang, Suzi Jiangqi Tang) Take Zisuzi (Perilla fruit) together with Qianhu (Peucedanum), Banxia (Pinellia), Chenpi (Tangerine peel), and Houpo (Magnolia bark). Decoct in water and drink. For senile spleen deficiency with food stagnation and phlegm, manifested as cough, wheezing, and profuse phlegm (Han Shi Yi Tong, Sanzi Yangqin Tang) Take equal amounts of Zisuzi, Baijiezi (White mustard seed), and Laifuzi (Radish seed). Wash, lightly stir-fry, crush, and decoct in water to drink. For constipation due to intestinal dryness (Jisheng Fang, Zisu Maren Congee) Take Zisuzi and Marenzi (hemp seed), grind into a paste, filter with water to extract the juice, and cook with rice into congee. For chronic cough with loud phlegm sounds in children, and cough with wheezing in the elderly (empirical formula, Suzi San) Take 1 qian of Suzi (Perilla fruit) and 1 liang of Bada Xingren (apricot seed, peeled and tip removed). Grind together into powder. Take 3g each time with boiled water.
Daily Consumption
Perilla Fruit Congee: Perilla Fruit 15 g, polished round-grained rice 100 g, and appropriate amounts of ginger, scallion, and fermented soybeans. First, grind the Perilla Fruit with water to extract the juice, then strain to remove the residue. Add the rice and cook into congee. When the congee is almost done, add small amounts of ginger, scallion, and fermented soybeans. Perilla Fruit and Hemp Seed Congee: Perilla Fruit 10 g, Hemp Seed 15 g, polished round-grained rice 50–100 g. Crush the Perilla Fruit and Hemp Seed together, grind them with water, and filter to obtain the juice. Cook the rice in this juice to make congee.
Medicinal Parts
Dried mature fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from insect infestation and oil rancidity. It is best stored in a low-temperature warehouse.
