Natural Herb Library

Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye)

Chinese
紫苏叶
Pinyin
Zi Su Ye
Latin
Folium Perillae
Botanical illustration of Perilla Leaf, Perilla frutescens var. crispa, showing purple leafy stems, aromatic leaves, and diagnostic Su Ye details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Zi Su Ye (紫苏叶), this acrid, warm herb enters the Lung and Spleen. Traditionally, it releases the exterior and scatters wind-cold when chills, mild fever, headache, cough, or body discomfort arise together, most often applied for common cold, nausea, and poor appetite. Modern research has identified Rosmarinic among its active constituents.

Part used: Leaf

Also Known As

Perilla frutescens leaf Su Ye (alias)

Latin: Folium Perillae | Pinyin: Zi Su Ye | Chinese: 紫苏叶

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid
Temperature
warm
Channels
Lung, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Releases the exterior and scatters wind-cold when chills, mild fever, headache, cough, or body discomfort arise together.
  • Moves Qi and harmonizes the middle for nausea, fullness, poor appetite, and fish or crab-related digestive upset.
  • Calms the fetus and relieves pregnancy-related nausea in traditional use.

Secondary Actions

  • This page is a naming-variant sibling of the `Su Ye` record rather than a different species or plant part.
  • The `Zi` form is often the more explicit materia-medica naming lane, but the actions remain the same.

Classical References

  • Traditional Chinese references treat Zi Su Ye as a warm acrid leaf that releases the exterior, regulates Qi, harmonizes the middle, and calms the fetus.
  • Its distinctive niche is the overlap of surface symptoms with digestive upset.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rosmarinic acid
  • Luteolin
  • Perillaldehyde
  • Leaf essential-oil fractions

Studied Effects

  • Clinical-practice review work continues to support respiratory, anti-inflammatory, and gastrointestinal applications across perilla extracts, with leaf use especially prominent (PMID 36978975).
  • Rosmarinic-acid-enriched perilla extract reduced allergic inflammatory responses in both experimental and human settings, giving a modern bridge to the leaf's traditional anti-irritative uses (PMID 14988517).
  • A broad 2023 review again emphasized that leaves, stems, and seeds occupy different medicinal roles within the same Perilla frutescens species (PMID 37538863).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Warmth-aggravated exterior heat without wind-cold
  • Marked Yin-deficiency dryness without stagnation

Cautions

  • Even gentle herbs can become more active in concentrated extract or essential-oil form, so preparation matters.
  • Allergy to perilla or related aromatic plants should prompt caution.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) used for?

Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) is traditionally used to Releases the exterior and scatters wind-cold when chills, mild fever, headache, cough, or body discomfort arise together., Moves Qi and harmonizes the middle for nausea, fullness, poor appetite, and fish or crab-related digestive upset., Calms the fetus and relieves pregnancy-related nausea in traditional use.. Research has investigated its effects on: Clinical-practice review work continues to support respiratory, anti-inflammatory, and gastrointestinal applications across perilla extracts, with leaf use especially prominent (PMID 36978975).; Rosmarinic-acid-enriched perilla extract reduced allergic inflammatory responses in both experimental and human settings, giving a modern bridge to the leaf's traditional anti-irritative uses (PMID 14988517)..

What are other names for Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye)?

Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) is also known as Perilla frutescens leaf, Su Ye (alias). In TCM: 紫苏叶 (Zi Su Ye); Folium Perillae.

Is Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye)?

Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) should not be used in: Warmth-aggravated exterior heat without wind-cold; Marked Yin-deficiency dryness without stagnation. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.