Zi Su Ye, otherwise known as Perilla Leaf, is a herb that naturally grows in Asia. It can be found in China, Korea, India, and throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to being consumed to treat a variety of ailments, it is also consumed in a variety of Asian cuisine.
When used as medicine, it can treat symptoms that affect the digestive and respiratory systems including:
- Abdominal pain
- Stomach aches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Colds
- Stuffy chest
- Nasal congestion
- Coughs
There are two principles of Eastern medicine that indicate Zi Su Ye is a powerful herb for your digestive and respiratory systems – its temperature and taste. In Eastern medicine the “temperature” of a food or herb indicates what kind of ailments it can treat. Zi Su Ye are considered “warm” herbs. This means that it can be used to treat an excess of “cold”. When one has an excess of cold in their body, they can experience issues related to their lungs such as congestion and coughs. By consuming warm herbs such as Zi Su Ye, they can offset the effects of cold and promote healthy lung function. Similarly, in Eastern medicine the taste of a herb can indicate what it can be used to treat. The Acrid or bitter taste of Zi Su Ye indicates that it can affect the Qi, or energy, within the lung and spleen. When one’s Qi is out of harmony or balance, they can begin experiencing a variety of symptoms depending on where the imbalance is. When consumed, Zi Su Ye affects the Qi within the lungs and spleen to promote homeostasis and combat any symptoms affecting the digestive or respiratory systems.
Zi Su Ye comes in a variety of forms including fresh, dried, powdered, and capsules. When taken, it should be used for short term care. If one experiences the symptoms mentioned above long term, they should seek additional treatment. If you are experiencing issues with your respiratory and digestive system and you have not found the solution, herbs from Eastern medicine like Zi Su Ye may be right for you.
