Zi Su Geng
StarPerilla frutescens (L.) Britt.
☯ TCM Properties
Regulates Qi and Broadens the Middle Burner; Alleviates Pain; Calms the Fetus; Opens the chest and benefits the diaphragm; Harmonizes the Stomach and Stops Vomiting
Traditional Chinese Uses
Zi Su Geng (perilla stem) is a warm, aromatic herb that moves Qi and harmonizes the middle burner. It relieves bloating, chest tightness, and abdominal distension from stagnant Qi, and is particularly valued for easing morning sickness and calming fetal restlessness during pregnancy. Its gentle, Qi-moving nature makes it appropriate for patients with sensitive digestion, and it serves as the stem-based complement to Zi Su Ye (perilla leaf) in classical Qi-regulating formulas.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Perilla frutescens is an aromatic annual herb of the family Lamiaceae native to East and Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in China, Japan and Korea both as a culinary herb and as a source of three distinct medicinal materials — leaf (Zi Su Ye), seed (Zi Su Zi) and stem (Zi Su Geng). The plant reaches 60-150 cm in height with a quadrangular, finely pubescent stem that is green to deep purple depending on cultivar. The opposite, long-petiolate leaves are broadly ovate, 7-12 cm long, with coarsely serrate margins, green or purple, and emit a strong perfumy, somewhat cinnamon-clove scent when bruised. Small white to pinkish-purple two-lipped flowers are borne in slender terminal and axillary racemes, followed by small reticulate nutlets. The medicinal stem is the upper part of the main stem, cut into oblique slices showing a wide white pith.
Active Constituents
Rosmarinic acid
Caffeic acid ester (phenolic acid)Concentration: Major non-volatile polyphenol of the stem (Perillae Caulis)
The principal polyphenol quantified in perilla stem, leaf and fruit. It is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice, and is a recognized marker for quality control of Perillae Caulis.
Perillaldehyde
Monoterpene aldehyde (volatile oil)Concentration: Characteristic volatile; lower in stem than in leaf
The signature aroma compound of perilla. It lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) in animal models and has antimicrobial and mild sedative/anxiolytic actions.
Luteolin
FlavoneConcentration: Minor flavonoid
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavone contributing to the herb's anti-allergic and cytokine-modulating activity.
Apigenin
FlavoneConcentration: Minor flavonoid
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant flavone found across perilla tissues.
Caffeic acid
Phenolic acidConcentration: Minor phenolic (biosynthetic precursor of rosmarinic acid)
Antioxidant phenolic acid that contributes to free-radical scavenging.
Limonene
Monoterpene (volatile oil)Concentration: Minor volatile component of the essential oil
A volatile monoterpene contributing to the aromatic, Qi-moving and digestive-soothing character of the stem.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs (e.g., warfarin, aspirin)
Rosmarinic acid, the major polyphenol of perilla stem, has antioxidant and mild antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies, so combining large amounts with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy could theoretically increase bleeding tendency.
Clinical note: No documented clinical cases at culinary or standard decoction doses; monitor if used with anticoagulants at high or prolonged doses.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (added near end of cooking)
Parts: dried stem
Typical adult dose is 5-9 g of the dried stem. As an aromatic Qi-regulating herb, it is added toward the end of decoction to preserve volatile constituents. Used to regulate Qi, broaden the middle burner, ease chest and epigastric fullness, and calm a restless fetus.
Combined herb pair
Parts: dried stem
Often combined with other Qi-regulating and Stomach-harmonizing herbs (for example with Chen Pi, Sha Ren or Zi Su Ye) for Qi stagnation with nausea, poor appetite or morning-sickness-type disharmony.
Clinical Studies
Determination of the content of rosmarinic acid by HPLC and analytical comparison of volatile constituents by GC-MS in different parts of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt
Quantified rosmarinic acid by HPLC and compared volatile profiles by GC-MS across perilla stem, leaf and fruit, establishing that the stem (Perillae Caulis) contains substantial rosmarinic acid and characterizing its distinct volatile-oil composition.
Comprehensive Review of Perilla frutescens: Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Mechanisms, and Industrial Applications in Food and Health Products
Reviews perilla's volatile oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial and blood-sugar-lowering mechanisms across the plant's tissues.
Historical Texts
Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians)
Han-Tang, c. 3rd-6th century CEBen Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1578References
- Liu J, Wan Y, Zhao Z, Chen H. Determination of the content of rosmarinic acid by HPLC and analytical comparison of volatile constituents by GC-MS in different parts of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt . Chemistry Central Journal (2013) [DOI]
- Wang X, et al.. Comprehensive Review of Perilla frutescens: Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Mechanisms, and Industrial Applications in Food and Health Products . Foods (2025) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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