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
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Asthma ✪✪✪✪✪
Daily oral intake of 10 to 20 grams of perilla seed oil for 4 weeks modestly improves asthma symptoms in adult asthmatics, according to preliminary studies.
Posologie
Oral: seed, leaf
10 - 20 g
oil, aqueous decoction
Healthy aging ✪✪✪✪✪
Perilla is valued 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 found that rosmarinic acid in a perilla decoction significantly reduces symptoms such as watery eyes and an itchy nose in patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Furthermore, an open-label clinical trial showed a significant improvement in nasal symptoms in 80% of subjects treated with perilla seed extract. These studies highlight perilla's anti-allergic potential, particularly through its ability to regulate arachidonic acid metabolism and suppress leukotriene production.
Posologie
Orally: leaf, seed
50 - 200 mg
aqueous decoction
Cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Perillyl alcohol, a component of perilla tested mainly as topical creams and via intranasal administration, 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 activity, although the results did not permit definitive conclusions about its potential use as an anticancer treatment. In particular, a pilot study of eight patients with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated perioperatively 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 marker of pancreatic cancer, remained unchanged. Other phase II trials in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma, treatment-refractory metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer did not prolong time to disease progression. A phase I/II trial using a perillyl alcohol nasal spray in 37 patients with recurrent malignant glioma showed antitumor activity and a reduction in peritumoral brain edema, but side effects such as nausea and fatigue affected treatment adherence. Further research is needed to more fully explore the effects of intranasally administered perillyl alcohol.
Posologie
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, notably eczema. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties help soothe irritated skin, reducing redness and itching, and promote the repair of the skin barrier.
Posologie
Oral: seed
oil
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
Topical use of perilla oil may 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 aggressors.
Posologie
Oral: seed
oil
Properties
Antiallergic
Perilla seed extracts contain flavonoids such as luteolin, which have been shown to inhibit histamine release from mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. This mechanism is crucial because it can help reduce immediate allergic reactions. Furthermore, perilla leaf extracts act by modulating cytokine production, thereby balancing the immune response between Th1 and Th2 types, which is essential in the management of allergies. Studies show that the leaf extract can suppress IgE and IgG antibodies, as well as interleukins IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, thus 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 removal of superoxide radicals, underlining its potential in anti-allergic treatments.
Usages associés
Neurological
Perilla shows notable potential for treating neurological disorders through several distinct mechanisms of action. Its antidepressant effects have been demonstrated in animal models, partly due to the fatty acid composition of its seed oil, which includes essential fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid. These fatty acids play a role in modulating neural receptors and neurotransmitter production. Perilla essential oil, when inhaled, increases expression of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors and levels of GABA as well as serotonin in the brain, which could help treat insomnia. Research shows that inhalation of this essential oil improves sleep latency and total sleep duration in animal models of insomnia. Moreover, 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 increased synthesis of fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and DHA, which are 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 due to its fatty acids, which reduce inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids. Moreover, a major component of the leaf essential oil, the monoterpene perillaldehyde, has shown anti-inflammatory effects in models of gastrointestinal inflammation.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Perilla has demonstrated promising anticancer properties, partly due 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, that is, programmed cell death. 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 inhibition of cell signaling that controls cell proliferation. Perillyl alcohol also interferes with the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by cancer cells, which can decrease tumor vascularization and promote tumor regression. In addition, this substance is being studied for its potential to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy treatments.
Usages associés
Safe 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.
