Reviews Overview: Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an herb in the mint family. It is also known as shiso, zi su, and Chinese basil. The leaves, seeds, and seed oil are used to make dietary supplements. People take perilla for seasonal allergies, inflammation, and heart health, although its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting. Before taking perilla, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is perilla used for?
Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is commonly used for the following reasons. Its benefits are not well defined for most uses.
Seasonal Allergies and Eye Allergies. Some research suggests perilla may help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), such as itchy nose, watery eyes, and sneezing. One small clinical trial found that a perilla extract enriched with rosmarinic acid reduced symptoms more than a placebo.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Support. Perilla may be taken for antioxidant or anti-inflammatory support. Evidence in humans is limited.
Heart Health. Perilla seed oil may be used to help lower cholesterol or abnormal blood lipid levels. One clinical trial found that perilla seed oil reduced total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in people with mild to moderate dementia, although the study was not designed to test this outcome.
Cognitive Support. Perilla seed oil has been studied as an add-on option for people with mild to moderate dementia. However, one randomized controlled trial found that it did not improve thinking or memory. Evidence in humans is limited.
Blood Flow. Perilla oil may help reduce platelet clumping and support healthy blood flow. Evidence in humans is limited.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed perilla for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does perilla work?
Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The leaves, seeds, and seed oil are all used. The benefits of perilla are not well defined.
Perilla seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. ALA is an essential fatty acid, which means your body is not able to make it. ALA makes up about 60% of perilla seed oil. It is thought to reduce inflammation and may affect how platelets stick together in the blood. ALA may also help lower cholesterol levels.
The leaves and other plant parts contain rosmarinic acid, a polyphenol. Rosmarinic acid is thought to block certain inflammatory pathways and reduce immune cell activity in the nose and eyes. This may explain why some research suggests perilla can help with seasonal allergy symptoms.
Other chemicals in perilla, such as luteolin, apigenin, and perillaldehyde, may also fight inflammation and act as antioxidants. How all of these chemicals work together in the body is not fully understood.
Herbal products such as perilla naturally contain many different chemicals, such as rosmarinic acid. The amounts of rosmarinic acid in a specific perilla product may vary. Different amounts of rosmarinic acid may change the effects of perilla on the body. Some perilla dietary supplements are made to contain a certain amount of these substances.
How should I store perilla?
You should store perilla according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of perilla?
Perilla seems to be well tolerated. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials are listed below, but trial data are limited. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
There may be other side effects of perilla that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at https://www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of perilla?
While less common, the most serious side effects of perilla are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Perilla may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking perilla and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Lung Problems. Certain varieties of the perilla plant contain perilla ketone, a chemical that has been shown to cause lung damage in livestock. It is not known if perilla ketone can cause similar problems in humans. The amounts of perilla ketone in dietary supplements may vary. Contact your health care provider if you develop any breathing problems while taking perilla.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use perilla?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take perilla.
- Beefsteak plant
- Chinese basil
- Deulkkae
- Perilla (Perilla frutescens) or any part of the perilla plant, including its seeds
- Shiso
- Zi su
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific perilla products they stock.
What should I know about perilla before using it?
Perilla is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Perilla is available in many forms. Common forms include capsules, softgel capsules containing seed oil, liquid seed oil, leaf powder, and teas made from dried leaves.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep perilla out of the reach of children.
Herbal products, such as perilla, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific perilla product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
The FDA has not tested perilla products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using perilla?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if perilla is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Talk to your health care provider before using perilla if you have or have had any of the following conditions.
- Allergies, especially to plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae) or to perilla seeds
- A bleeding disorder or a condition that affects blood clotting
- Heart disease or a condition that affects blood flow
- Breathing or lung problems (see the Side Effects section for more details)
Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking perilla, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how perilla could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if perilla passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does perilla interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between perilla and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect perilla.
Does perilla interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Before taking perilla, tell your health care provider about all the medicines you are using. The following interactions may be possible based on the available evidence.
Blood-Thinning Medicines. Perilla seed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid. This omega-3 fatty acid may affect how platelets work and may affect blood clotting. Using perilla seed oil with blood-thinning medicines may increase the risk of bleeding. Examples of blood-thinning medicines include the following.
- A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
- An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
- Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
The interactions between perilla and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with perilla is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking perilla with any medicines.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much perilla?
If you or someone else has used too much perilla, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Perilla is available as capsules, seed oil softgels, and liquid oil. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to use perilla safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
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