Natural Herb Library

Common Perilla Stem

Chinese
苏梗
Pinyin
Su Geng
Latin
Caulis Perillae Frutescentis
Botanical illustration of Stem of Common Perilla, Perilla frutescens, showing Su Geng stem material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Su Geng (苏梗), this acrid, warm herb enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach. Traditionally, it promotes Qi movement and relieves fullness ... Su Geng is used for chest or epigastric constraint with belching, nausea, poor appetite, or abdominal distension, most often applied for nausea, nausea pregnancy, and abdominal distension. Modern research has identified Rosmarinic among its active constituents.

Part used: Stem

Also Known As

Perilla stem Perilla frutescens stem Zi Su Geng sibling lane

Latin: Caulis Perillae Frutescentis | Pinyin: Su Geng | Chinese: 苏梗

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid
Temperature
warm
Channels
Lung, Spleen, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Promotes Qi movement and relieves fullness ... Su Geng is used for chest or epigastric constraint with belching, nausea, poor appetite, or abdominal distension.
  • Harmonizes the middle and stops vomiting ... it is chosen when stomach Qi is constrained rather than blazing upward with strong heat.
  • Calms the fetus in traditional use ... the stem lane is especially associated with pregnancy-related nausea and abdominal discomfort.

Secondary Actions

  • This record stays intentionally aligned with the already-live `perilla-stem` page ... it is the same medicinal lane under a longer imported English name, not a different perilla drug.
  • Compared with the leaf, the stem is less exterior-releasing and more focused on Qi movement and pregnancy-compatible middle-burner harmonizing.

Classic Formulas

  • Su Geng additions to middle-jiao harmonizing formulas ... used when nausea and fullness are more prominent than surface symptoms.
  • Pregnancy-supportive herb pairings with Sha Ren or Chen Pi ... a familiar traditional logic for nausea with Qi stagnation.
  • Digestive perilla combinations with Hou Po or Xiang Fu ... used when distension and poor appetite dominate.

Classical References

  • Traditional Chinese materia medica describes Su Geng as a warm acrid stem that regulates Qi, harmonizes the middle, and calms the fetus.
  • The stem is usually differentiated from the leaf and seed because its digestive and pregnancy-facing role is the cleanest part of its identity.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rosmarinic acid-related phenolics
  • Flavonoids
  • Aromatic stem-and-leaf constituents

Studied Effects

  • A 2023 review of Perilla frutescens extracts summarized clinical and pharmacologic applications across the medicinal plant, supporting conservative stem-lane use within the broader digestive and anti-inflammatory profile of Perilla (PMID 36978975).
  • A second 2023 review emphasized that leaves, stems, and seeds are all medicinal parts with overlapping but distinct roles, which supports keeping Su Geng separate from the leaf monographs instead of collapsing them together (PMID 37538863).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Warmth-aggravated heat patterns without stagnation

Cautions

  • Modern stem-specific pharmacology is much thinner than the general Perilla literature, so claims should stay conservative.
  • Concentrated extracts are not interchangeable with ordinary stem decoction or food-level perilla exposure.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Common Perilla Stem used for?

Common Perilla Stem is traditionally used to Promotes Qi movement and relieves fullness ... Su Geng is used for chest or epigastric constraint with belching, nausea, poor appetite, or abdominal distension., Harmonizes the middle and stops vomiting ... it is chosen when stomach Qi is constrained rather than blazing upward with strong heat., Calms the fetus in traditional use ... the stem lane is especially associated with pregnancy-related nausea and abdominal discomfort.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2023 review of Perilla frutescens extracts summarized clinical and pharmacologic applications across the medicinal plant, supporting conservative stem-lane use within the broader digestive and anti-inflammatory profile of Perilla (PMID 36978975).; A second 2023 review emphasized that leaves, stems, and seeds are all medicinal parts with overlapping but distinct roles, which supports keeping Su Geng separate from the leaf monographs instead of collapsing them together (PMID 37538863)..

What are other names for Common Perilla Stem?

Common Perilla Stem is also known as Perilla stem, Perilla frutescens stem, Zi Su Geng sibling lane. In TCM: 苏梗 (Su Geng); Caulis Perillae Frutescentis.

Is Common Perilla Stem safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Common Perilla Stem during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Common Perilla Stem?

Common Perilla Stem should not be used in: Warmth-aggravated heat patterns without stagnation. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.