What are the benefits of drinking water infused with perilla leaves?
Jul 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, the effects of perilla leaf steeped in water mainly include relieving superficial symptoms and cold pathogens, regulating qi to relieve chest and abdominal congestion, soothing the fetus, counteracting toxicity from fish and crab, and preventing dizziness and stopping vomiting. Perilla leaf has a pungent and warm nature. It can disperse wind-cold and is suitable for symptoms of common cold caused by external contraction of wind-cold, such as fever with chills, headache and body aches, nasal congestion and runny nose, cough, and hoarseness. By dispersing wind-cold, it helps the body expel external pathogens and alleviate discomfort caused by the common cold.
Generally, the effects of perilla leaf steeped in water mainly include relieving surface symptoms and dispelling cold, regulating qi and widening the chest, soothing the fetus, detoxifying fish and crab poison, preventing dizziness, and relieving vomiting. The specific effects are as follows:
1. Relieving surface symptoms and dispelling cold: Perilla leaf is pungent and warm in nature and can dispel wind-cold. It is suitable for treating symptoms of colds caused by external contraction of wind-cold, such as fever with chills, headache and body pain, nasal congestion and runny nose, cough and hoarseness. By dispersing wind-cold, it helps the body expel external pathogens and relieve discomfort caused by colds.
2. Regulating qi and widening the chest: Perilla leaf can regulate qi and relieve chest tightness and abdominal distension. It is suitable for symptoms such as chest tightness, epigastric distension, and loss of appetite caused by stagnation of qi in the spleen and stomach. By regulating the flow of qi in the spleen and stomach, it alleviates gastrointestinal bloating and discomfort, helps restore normal function of the spleen and stomach, and promotes appetite.
3. Soothing the fetus: Perilla leaf has the effect of calming the fetus, and is suitable for symptoms such as vomiting during pregnancy and fetal restlessness. It can regulate the qi and blood in pregnant women, alleviate vomiting and fetal restlessness caused by poor qi circulation, help pregnant women maintain bodily stability, and promote healthy fetal development.
4. Detoxifying fish and crab poison: In traditional medicine, perilla leaf is commonly used to neutralize toxins from fish and crab. It is suitable for abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms that occur after consuming fish and crab. It can neutralize toxins from fish and crab, alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort caused by improper consumption, and reduce symptoms of poisoning.
5. Preventing dizziness and relieving vomiting: Perilla leaf also has the effect of preventing dizziness and relieving vomiting, and is suitable for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness such as car sickness or seasickness. It can regulate the internal environment of the body, alleviate discomfort caused by motion sickness, and help reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Although drinking perilla leaf tea has many benefits, due to its cooling nature, individuals with cold deficiency in the spleen and stomach should not consume excessive amounts, and pregnant women should use it with caution. When using perilla leaf tea, it is important to be aware of its contraindications and precautions, and to use it appropriately according to individual constitution and health status.
