Perilla

Perilla, also known as Perilla frutescens, sesame leaf or Chinese black nettle, is a genus of plants in the Lamiaceae family. The annual, herbaceous, up to 60 cm, rarely taller plant is characterized by its hairy, square stem, long stemmed, green to purple or purple-purple leaves with serrated edges and white to purple flowers with grey-brown seeds. Flowering time: August to October. The white to purple lipped flowers grow. India and China are thought to be the areas of origin. Perilla frutescens is now also found in East, Southeast and South Asia. Leaves and seed extracts are used for seasoning and medicinal purposes. Perilla frutescens is used as a spice or as a herbal drug in medicines, but is still relatively unknown in Europe. Perilla should not be confused with the black nettle, Ballota nigra.

Herbal medicine (Asia) Leaves: gastrointestinal disorders, colds and headaches. Seeds: Oleum Perillae frutescentis semen.

Cosmetics: Perilla ocymoides leaf extract (INCI), Perilla ocymoides seed extract (INCI)

Perilla frutescens grows as an annual and herbaceous plant and reaches growth heights between 30 cm and 60 cm, but depending on the climate Perilla can also grow considerably taller. The plants are green to dark purple in colour and have short and rough hairs.
Perilla frutescens has oval leaves and striking inflorescences at the ends and sides. The crown of the flower is white to purple red in colour.

Perilla frutescens is the parent plant of Oleum Perillae frutescentis semen, the relatively fatty oil from the perilla seed.

1. https://www.loges.de/inhaltsstoff-lexikon/perilla
2. https://www.loges.de/einsatzgebiete/herz-blutgefaesse/perilla