Perilla: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Shiso
Scientific name(s)
Perilla frutescens
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Alpha-linolenic acid
Linoleic acid
Rosmarinic acid
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
A daily intake of 10 to 20 grams of Perilla seed oil orally for 4 weeks modestly improves asthma symptoms in asthmatic adults according to preliminary studies.
Posologie
Oral: seed, leaf
10 - 20 g
oil, aqueous decoction
Aging Well ✪✪✪✪✪
Perilla is appreciated for its anti-aging properties thanks to its antioxidant components such as rosmarinic acid. These antioxidants combat free radical damage responsible for premature aging. Its anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties also justify its use as an anti-aging ally.
Posologie
Oral: seed
oil
Perilla Seed Oil Enhances Cognitive Function and Mental Health in Healthy Elderly Japanese Individuals by Enhancing the Biological Antioxidant Potential
Perilla oil and exercise decrease expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with hyperlipidemia
Allergies ✪✪✪✪✪
Studies on Perilla in the treatment of allergies show promising results. Leaf and seed extracts are used against allergic respiratory disorders such as hay fever, asthma, and sinusitis. A double-blind clinical study revealed that rosmarinic acid, in a Perilla decoction, significantly reduces symptoms like watery eyes and itchy nose in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Furthermore, an open clinical trial showed significant improvement in nasal symptoms in 80% of subjects treated with Perilla seed extract. These studies highlight the antiallergic potential of Perilla, especially through its ability to regulate arachidonic acid metabolism and suppress leukotriene production.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, seed
50 - 200 mg
aqueous decoction
Cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Perillyl alcohol, a component of perilla tested primarily in the form of topical creams and via intranasal route, has shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies, but mixed results in clinical trials. In phase I trials, perillyl alcohol demonstrated a favorable toxicity profile and some chemotherapeutic efficacy, although the results have not allowed definitive conclusions about its potential use as an anticancer treatment. In particular, a pilot study on eight patients with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma perioperatively treated with 1200 mg/m² of perillyl alcohol four times a day observed a non-significant increase in survival time and increased local apoptosis. However, tumor size and CA 19.9 levels, a pancreatic cancer marker, remained unchanged. Other phase II trials in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma, treatment-refractory metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer did not extend the time before disease progression. A phase I/II trial using a nasal spray of perillyl alcohol in 37 patients with recurrent malignant glioma showed antitumor activity and a reduction in peritumoral brain edema, but side effects like nausea and fatigue affected treatment adherence. Further research is needed to further explore the effects of intranasally administered perillyl alcohol.
Posologie
Via nasal, cutaneous: leaf
essential oil, cream
Phase II trial of daily oral perillyl alcohol (NSC 641066) in treatment-refractory metastatic breast cancer
Preliminary results from a phase I/II study of perillyl alcohol intranasal administration in adults with recurrent malignant gliomas
A pilot study of perillyl alcohol in pancreatic cancer
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Perilla oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is used to treat various skin conditions, including eczema. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness and itching, and promote skin barrier repair.
Posologie
Via oral: seed
oil
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
The external use of perilla oil can help improve skin elasticity and hydration, key elements in combating skin aging. Its fatty acids nourish the skin, while its antioxidant properties help protect against external aggressions.
Posologie
Via oral: seed
oil
Properties
Antiallergic
Perilla seed extracts contain flavonoids like luteolin, shown to have the ability to inhibit histamine release from mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. This mechanism is crucial as it can help reduce immediate allergic reactions. Additionally, Perilla leaf extracts work by modulating cytokine production, thus balancing the immune response between Th1 and Th2 types, which is essential in allergy management. Studies show that leaf extract can suppress IgE and IgG antibodies, as well as interleukins IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, thereby reducing inflammation and allergic symptoms. Research has also identified rosmarinic acid as one of the main active constituents, noting its effects in reducing the inflammatory response and increasing the scavenging of superoxide radicals, highlighting its potential in antiallergic treatments.
Usages associés
Neurological
Perilla shows notable interest in the treatment of neurological disorders due to several distinct mechanisms of action. Its antidepressant effects have been demonstrated in animal models, partly due to the composition of its seed oil, which includes essential fatty acids like alpha-linolenic. These fatty acids play a role in modulating neurological receptors and neurotransmitter production. Perilla essential oil, when inhaled, increases the expression of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors and levels of GABA and serotonin in the brain, which could help treat insomnia. Research shows that inhaling this essential oil improves sleep latency and total duration in animal models of insomnia. Furthermore, Perilla seed oil plays a neuroprotective role by reducing the sensitivity of brain cells to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, while improving the brain's fatty acid profile. This includes an increase in the synthesis of fatty acids like arachidonic acid and DHA, essential for neuronal health. These actions suggest that Perilla could play a beneficial role in brain protection and function.
Anti-inflammatory
Animal and laboratory studies have shown that Perilla leaf extract inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines and the activity of cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. Rosmarinic acid may play a role in modulating neutrophils and eosinophils. Perilla oil also has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its fatty acids which reduce inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids. Additionally, a major component of the leaf essential oil, the monoterpene perillaldehyde, has shown anti-inflammatory effects in gastrointestinal inflammation models.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Perilla has demonstrated promising anticancer properties, partly thanks to its active components such as Perilla oil, luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and perillyl alcohol (found in the essential oil). In vitro and animal studies have shown that these compounds can reduce cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, which is the programmed death of cells. Perillyl alcohol, in particular, has been tested in phase I and II clinical trials for its potential to inhibit tumorigenesis. The mechanism of action includes the inhibition of cellular signaling that controls cell proliferation. Perillyl alcohol also interferes with the release of vascular endothelial growth factor by cancer cells, which may reduce tumor vascularization and promote regression. Furthermore, this substance is being studied for its potential to increase cancer cells' sensitivity to radiotherapy treatments.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult:
- Perilla leaf: extract equivalent to 4-9 g/day - Perilla oil: 1 g capsules to be taken three times a day. - Perilla seed extract (containing a minimum of 3.0% polyphenols): 100-150 mg/day.
