Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
紫苏 / 赤苏 / 紫苏叶 / 紫苏梗 / 紫苏子 / 桂荏 — Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton (syn. Perilla ocymoides)
Pinyin: Zǐsū / Chìsū / Zǐsūyè / Zǐsūgěng · Malay: Daun Shiso / Selasih Ungu / Tia To · Family: Lamiaceae (唇形科)
Energetics
Warm (温 / 辛温)
Flavor
Pungent, aromatic, slightly sweet with cinnamon-anise-peppery notes (辛、大香、芬芳浓郁)
Meridians
Lung (肺), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃)
Traditional Edict
Purple Shiso (Daun Shiso / Zi Su). Fragrant purple crinkled leaves. Supreme sovereign antidote against seafood, crab, and fish poisoning; moves Qi to halt morning sickness vomiting, calms fetus (An Tai), diffuses wind-cold influenza.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Do not boil leaves >10 min in open pots (volatilizes perillaldehyde). High culinary, clinical, and obstetric safety profile. Safe and clinically indicated during pregnancy for morning sickness.
Clinical Applications
- Seafood food poisoning and histamine urticaria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus lysis), morning sickness in early pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum), wind-cold influenza, and seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Perillaldehyde inhibits bacterial histidine decarboxylase in seafood spoilage, preventing toxic histamine synthesis while lysing Vibrio bacteria. 2. 5-HT3 receptor anti-emetic prokinetic antagonism. 3. Rosmarinic acid inhibits 5-LOX leukotrienes.
Preparation & Dosage
THE SOVEREIGN SHISO SEAFOOD ANTIDOTE TEA: 10 to 15 g fresh purple leaves steeped covered in 300 mL hot water with Halia Bara and Chen Pi for 10 min; taken after seafood meals. Fetus-calming decoction: 9 g stems (Zi Su Geng) with Sha Ren. Seeds: 5-10 g.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Morning Sickness & Emesis Remedy with Amomum villosum (Sha Ren) and Fa Ban Xia. 2. Wind-Cold Exterior Clearing Synergy (Xing Su San) with Prunus armeniaca (Xing Ren).
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only