Perilla Leaf
Perilla Perilla Leaf (Bottom)
Perilla Leaf (Wrinkled and curled, flattened ovate, brownish-purple, serrated edges, concave dots on the lower surface, clear fragrance, strong tender branches)
Perilla Stem (Square prismatic groove pattern, purplish-brown, enlarged nodes with branch and leaf marks, light hard fracture fiber, clear yellow medullary rays in the wood, white loose pith)
【Naming】
【Source】
Listed in the “Separate Records of Famous Physicians” (Bie Lu Zhong Pin)
【Common Usage Level】
B
【Botanical Origin】
Dried leaves and stems of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. crispa Decne, belonging to the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family.
【Characteristics】
(1) Perilla Leaf: The dried, complete leaves are oval, mostly wrinkled and curled, or already broken. Both sides are brownish-purple, or the upper surface is grayish-green and the lower surface is brownish-purple. Both sides have sparse hairs; the apex is pointed, the edges are serrated, and the base is nearly round with a petiole. The texture is thin and brittle. The chopped product often contains small stems and branches. The stem is square with grooves, the outer skin is yellowish-purple, and the central fracture surface has a white pith. It has an aromatic odor and a slightly pungent taste.
(2) Perilla Stem: The stem is square with grooves, the surface is dark purple, and the lower end retains traces of opposite lateral branches. The texture is firm and hard. The fracture surface is fibrous, the center is a white, loose pith, and sometimes remnants of greenish-black, wrinkled and curled leaves remain.
Processed pieces: The perilla stems are obliquely cut into 2~5mm thick slices. The surface around the edges is purplish-black, with sparse villous hairs. The cut surface is yellowish-white, with distinct wood rays. The pith is white and loose, easily separated from the wood to form cavities. It has a slight odor and a bland taste. Smaller perilla stems are cut into small sections.
【Processing】
1. Perilla Leaf 2. Perilla Stem
【Identification】
1. Perilla Leaf: Good quality leaves are large, purple in color, unbroken, have a strong fragrance, and are free of branches and stems. 2. Perilla Stem: Good quality stems are thick and strong, with a purplish-brown outer skin, are solid, have few branches, and have a strong fragrance. Taiwan market products: Perilla Leaf, Perilla Stem.
【Category】
Whole Herb Category