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Herb Uses -O, P, Q Herbs
order to prevent so called "poisoning" existing in crab etc., might be re-evaluated as an effective way of
preventing food allergy.
Perilla leaf extract has been available as a "health product" rather than as a medicine. There are no
published reports of controlled clinical trials. Even so, there are many reports of open (uncontrolled) studies
from physicians and from patients-completed questionnaires, to support the beneficial use of Perilla leaf extract
in the treatment of allergy. Rigorous double-blind placebo-controlled trials are doubtlessly needed before Perilla
leaf extract can be accepted as an antiallergy medicine in the West.
Open studies in the treatment of more than one hundred allergy cases of children with atopic dermatitis
were made. After three months of therapy using a Perilla extract cream formulation, 80% of the patients showed
varying degrees of improvement in the degree of itching, skin lesion, and eruption. No side effects were
observed in all the cases. All these patients ceased other medicine while using the Perilla products.
Although the precise mechanisms of Perilla treatment for allergy are not yet well elucidated, recent
researches on the various phytochemicals and their pharmacological properties have also revealed some
mechanisms of Perilla action in allergy. Several active components contained in Perilla have been found to be
linked with antiallergy and anti-inflammatory actions. These include elemicine, a-pinene, caryophyllene,
myristicin, b-sitosterol, apigenin,phenylpropanoids and also some flavonoids which act as anti-inflammatory
agents
Perilla seed, leaf and stem contain a total amount of essential oil about 0.5%. In addition to perillaldehyde, which
was removed from the Perilla leaf extract products for its potential allergen property, several other constituents
contained in Perilla essential oil showed pharmacological activity. It was reported that in animal experiments, one of
the constituent in the essential oil, b-caryophyllene, showed relaxing action to the windpipe of guinea pig. Also it
showed significantly suppressing action to citric acid or acrylaldehyde induced cough. It may partially explain the
action of Perilla on anticough and antiasthma. Another constituent, l-menthol showed antiitching action thus making
Perilla helpful in the treatment of some allergic skin diseases
Chinese Medicine:
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The leaf is picked in July and August and dried in the
shade. Properties & Taste: Pungent-spicy and warm
Meridians: Lung and spleen
Functions: 1. To release the exterior symptoms and disperse cold; 2. To promote the flow of qi in the spleen and
stomach; 3. To alleviate fish and crab poisoning
Indications & Combinations:
1. Wind-cold type of common cold manifested as fever, chills, headache, nasal obstruction and cough. Perilla
leaf (Zisuye) is used with Fresh ginger (Shengjiang), Tangerine peel (Chenpi), Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu) and
Apricot seed (Xingren) in the formula Xing Su San.
2. Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach manifested as nausea, vomiting and fullness sensation in the chest or
abdomen. Perilla leaf (Zisuye) is used with Agastache (Huoxiang) for cold manifestations. If there are more
heat signs, Perilla leaf (Zisuye) can be prescribed with Coptis root (Huanglian). For cases with qi stagnation and
accumulation of phlegm, Perilla leaf (Zisuye) is used with Pinellia tuber (Banxia) and Magnolia bark (Houpo).
For vomiting during pregnancy, Perilla leaf (Zisuye) is used with Tangerine peel (Chenpi) and Amomum fruit
(Sharen).
Periwinkle (Vinca Major and V minor) This plant is an excellent all round astringent which can be used
internally or externally. Its most common internal use is for treating excess menstrual flow. It is useful as a
douche for treating vaginal infection. It is used for digestive problems such as inflammation of the colon or
diarrhea. The astringent action is also used in cases of nose bleed, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and as a gargle
for sore throats. Chewing the plant relieves toothache. The tea is sedative and is beneficial for hysteria, fits, and
nervous states. Use two teaspoons per cup, steep for 20 minutes, and take a quarter-cup doses four times a day.
Make a poultice of the herb to relieve cramps in the limbs. The leaves are used in slaves for hemorrhoids and
inflammations. Use the tea as a gargle for sore throat and tonsillitis. The fresh flowers are made into a syrup
laxative, which is excellent for small children as well as adults. To make a syrup, boil three pounds of Sucanat
in one pint of water until you get a syrup consistency, and then steep the herbs in the hot liquid for 20 minutes,
or simmer the herbs in honey or maple syrup for about 10 minutes, strain, and store in the refrigerator. It
combines well with Agrimony for astringent action to treat the digestive system and skin conditions.
Peruvian Balsam (Myroxlon pereirae) Balsam of Peru has been in the US Pharmacopeia since 1820 used for
bronchitis, laryngitis, dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery and leucorrhea and has also been used as a food
flavoring and fragrance material for its aromatic vanilla like-odor. Today it is used extensively in topical
preparations for the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and scabies, and can be found in hair tonics, anti-dandruff
preparations, feminine hygiene sprays and as a natural fragrance in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions and
perfumes.
Peruvian balsam is strongly antiseptic and stimulates repair of damaged tissue. It is usually taken
internally as an expectorant and decongestant to treat emphysema, bronchitis, and bronchial asthma. It may
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