Pinyin: Zisu
Aliases
Su Ye, Zi Cai, Su.
Source
Plant of the Lamiaceae family, *Perilla frutescens* (L.) Britt.Perilla frutescensDried leaf (or with tender branch) of (L.) Britt.
Botanical Description
See entry under "Zisuzi".
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest in summer when the branches and leaves are lush, remove impurities, and dry in the sun.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains perillaldehyde, perillaketone, shisone, menthol, scutellarin, vicenin-2, prunasin, and other components.
Pharmacology
It has sedative and mild antipyretic effects; can produce inhibitory effects on excitable membranes; promotes the secretion of digestive juices and enhances gastrointestinal motility; for the respiratory system, it can produce antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects; for the blood system, it has dual effects of hemostasis and anticoagulation; raises blood sugar; regulates the body's immune function and has antimutagenic ability; antimicrobial, with broad-spectrum antibacterial effects; has mild inhibitory effects on adenylate cyclase and strong inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase; has significant antioxidant effects; and also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Acrid, warm. Enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
Functions and Indications
Releases the exterior and disperses Cold, moves Qi and harmonizes the Stomach
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 5-10 g. External: apply appropriate amount, mashed for poultice, ground into powder for application, or decocted for washing.
Precautions and Contraindications
Caution should be exercised in patients with Yin deficiency, Qi deficiency, and febrile diseases.
Prescriptions
1. For febrile symptoms due to wind-cold: Zisuye (Perilla Leaf) 4.5 g, Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) 4.5 g, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome) 4.5 g, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 3 g, Gancao (Licorice Root) 1.8 g. Add two slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take orally. (From *Bu Zhi Yi Bi Yao*: Suye Tang) 2. For persistent common cold: One handful of Zisuye, decoct in three *sheng* of water until reduced to two *sheng*, drink slowly in small amounts. (From *Zhou Hou Fang*) 3. For breast abscess with swelling and pain: Decoct Zisuye in water, take frequently, and also apply the crushed herb externally. (From *Hai Shang Ming Fang*) 4. For malignant sores and scabies: Grind large Zisuye leaves into a fine powder and apply externally. (From *Pu Ji Fang*) 5. For traumatic injuries from falls: Crush Zisuye and apply externally; the wound will close on its own. (From *Tan Ye Weng Shi Yan Fang*) 6. For snake or venomous insect bites: Crush Zisuye, extract the juice, and drink it. (From *Qian Jin Yao Fang*)
