What are the medicinal properties of Perilla seed?
Perilla seed is the fruit of Perilla frutescens, a one-year herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and the genus Perilla. It has a warm nature and pungent taste, and is associated with the lung and large intestine meridians. It possesses various medicinal properties, including lowering qi and eliminating phlegm, relieving asthma and cough, moistening the intestines to promote bowel movements, releasing the exterior and dispelling cold, and regulating qi to harmonize the stomach. The specific details are as follows:

1. Lowering Qi and Eliminating Phlegm
Perilla seed contains volatile oil components, typically used to treat symptoms such as cough and bronchitis. It helps reduce tension in the airways of the lungs, thereby alleviating bronchial spasms and inflammation. This facilitates the expulsion of phlegm and relieves coughing and shortness of breath.
2. Relieving Asthma and Cough
Perilla seed also has anti-asthmatic effects, helping to alleviate wheezing and cough caused by asthma and other respiratory diseases. It can ease these symptoms by dilating the bronchi and reducing inflammation.
3. Moistening the Intestines and Promoting Bowel Movements
Perilla seed helps moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, promoting intestinal health. It can also increase the lubrication of the intestinal mucosa, facilitating defecation.

4. Releasing the Exterior and Dispelling Cold
Perilla seed can be used to release the exterior and dispel cold, especially effective in treating wind-cold感冒 (common cold due to wind-cold) and symptoms caused by cold. It helps regulate body temperature and reduce discomfort from cold exposure.
5. Regulating Qi and Harmonizing the Stomach
Perilla seed also helps regulate qi and harmonize the stomach, improving digestive function. It can relieve stomach discomfort, stimulate appetite, and help reduce symptoms such as bloating and gastric spasms.
It should be noted that perilla seed is contraindicated for individuals who are physically weak, have internal heat syndromes, or suffer from spleen-stomach deficiency.