Is perilla toxic?

Jun 20, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yu Yongchao

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, perilla contains certain toxicity. Perilla is a traditional Chinese medicine that has the effects of relieving superficial symptoms, dispersing cold, regulating qi, and harmonizing the stomach. It can be used to treat symptoms such as colds due to wind-cold invasion, coughing, and vomiting. When used in appropriate amounts, it generally does not cause toxic effects. However, perilla contains a certain amount of perilla ketone. If perilla ketone accumulates excessively in the body, it may cause pulmonary edema.

Generally speaking, perilla contains certain toxicity, but moderate consumption does not pose significant health risks. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Perilla is a traditional Chinese herb known for its functions of relieving exterior syndromes, dispersing cold, regulating qi, and harmonizing the stomach. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as cold-induced common colds, coughing, and vomiting. When used in appropriate amounts, it typically does not cause toxic effects. However, perilla contains a certain amount of perillaketone, which, if accumulated excessively in the body, may lead to pulmonary edema and the production of large amounts of abdominal effusion.

Before consumption, especially when using perilla as medicine or ingesting it in non-traditional ways, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Additionally, the essential oils in perilla may cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals, such as rashes or difficulty breathing. Therefore, people allergic to perilla should avoid consuming it.

When using perilla, follow the principle of moderation, avoid consuming wild or unverified varieties of perilla, and maintain a balanced diet while reducing the intake of spicy and irritating foods to promote overall health.

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Is cooking eggs with perilla leaves effective for treating qi and blood deficiency?

If the symptoms of qi and blood deficiency are mild, manifesting as occasional fatigue and slightly poor complexion, cooking eggs with perilla leaves can provide nutritional support through the eggs, while the perilla leaves assist in regulating the body's condition. Long-term moderate consumption can offer foundational nourishment and help alleviate minor discomforts. However, if the symptoms of qi and blood deficiency are significant, presenting as dizziness, palpitations, pale complexion, reduced menstrual flow, or are caused by anemia, chronic illness, and other conditions, further medical evaluation and treatment may be necessary.

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Is boiling eggs with perilla leaves effective for treating a baby's cold?

If a baby's cold is of the wind-cold type, characterized by mild nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, chills, and absence of sweating, perilla leaves, which have the effect of dispersing cold and relieving exterior symptoms, can help expel cold pathogens from the body's surface. Eggs provide essential nutrients, and moderate consumption can offer some relief from discomfort. This approach can be used as an adjunctive treatment in such cases. However, it is less effective for wind-heat type colds or severe colds.

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Is cooking eggs with perilla leaves effective for cough?

If cough is caused by external contraction of wind-cold, presenting as a mild cough with clear and thin phlegm, accompanied by slight chills, the leaf of perilla (Zi Su Ye), which has the function of dispersing cold and promoting lung function, may help alleviate respiratory discomfort. In this case, consuming it with eggs to supplement nutrition may provide some relief for cough symptoms. If the cough is due to wind-heat, characterized by yellow and viscous phlegm, sore throat, or caused by bacterial infection, allergy, and other factors,

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Can cooking eggs with perilla leaves treat a runny nose?

During the early stage of a cold caused by wind-cold invasion, symptoms include clear nasal discharge, chills without sweating, no significant fever, and no sore throat. Consuming eggs cooked with perilla (Perilla frutescens) in moderation may help alleviate nasal discomfort and relieve mild runny nose symptoms, due to perilla's property of dispersing cold and relieving the exterior. This should be combined with warming and保暖 (keeping warm) measures. However, it will not relieve runny nose caused by wind-heat感冒 or other diseases.

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Can brown sugar be added when cooking eggs with perilla leaves?

It is acceptable to add brown sugar when cooking eggs with perilla leaves, especially suitable for individuals experiencing discomfort due to cold exposure. However, individuals with elevated blood sugar levels are advised against adding brown sugar. During the early stage of a cold caused by wind-cold invasion, when symptoms such as mild chills and clear nasal discharge appear, adding a small amount of brown sugar when cooking eggs with perilla leaves can enhance the cold-dispersing effect due to brown sugar's warming and nourishing properties. It also improves taste and is suitable for those with a cold constitution to consume in moderation, while paying attention to controlling the quantity of brown sugar used.

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Can perilla leaf boiled eggs treat cough and sore throat?

Perilla leaf-cooked eggs may help alleviate mild cough and sore throat caused by exposure to cold, but they are ineffective for cough and sore throat resulting from heat syndromes or severe infections. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. For mild cough and sore throat with tightness, caused by cold invasion, without significant phlegm or with clear and thin phlegm, moderate consumption of perilla leaf-cooked eggs may help relieve symptoms due to perilla's function of dispersing cold and resolving exterior patterns.

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Can perilla leaf boiled eggs improve sleep?

Perilla leaf-cooked eggs may have a mild improvement effect on sleep disturbances caused by wind-cold discomfort or mild tension, but cannot improve severe insomnia or sleep problems caused by diseases. For difficulty falling asleep caused by physical discomfort from wind-cold or mild emotional tension, moderate consumption of warm Perilla leaf-cooked eggs may help induce relaxation by alleviating physical discomfort and providing gentle nourishment.

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Can boiled eggs with perilla relieve coughing and excessive phlegm?

Perilla-cooked eggs may help alleviate mild coughing with excessive phlegm caused by a cold due to wind-cold invasion. When coughing and excessive clear sputum occur due to wind-cold attack, accompanied by cold intolerance and absence of sweating, moderate consumption of Perilla-cooked eggs may help relieve respiratory discomfort and ease symptoms, due to Perilla's function of dispersing cold and regulating qi, especially when consumed warm. Cold and raw foods should be avoided to prevent irritation.

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