Zǐ Sū Yè (紫苏叶), known in English as Perilla leaf (Perilla frutescens), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Cold) category. It enters the Lung and Spleen channels. Its main action: releases exterior, disperses Wind-Cold.
| Pinyin | Zǐ Sū Yè (Zi Su Ye) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 紫苏叶 |
| English | Perilla leaf |
| Botanical name | Perilla frutescens |
| Category | Release exterior (Cold) |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Qi deficiency with excessive sweating |
Actions
- Releases exterior, disperses Wind-Cold
- Moves qi, expands chest, resolves stagnation
- Resolves seafood poisoning, calms foetus
Indications
- Wind-Cold with qi stagnation, nausea, chest fullness
- Morning sickness
- Seafood poisoning
How to remember Zǐ Sū Yè
Release exterior (Cold) herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Cold) herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Releases exterior”
- Learn by heart
- Spleen channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Zǐ Sū Yè
Other Release exterior (Cold) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Zǐ Sū Yè?
Zǐ Sū Yè is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Zǐ Sū Yè enter?
Zǐ Sū Yè enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Zǐ Sū Yè?
Releases exterior, disperses Wind-Cold; Moves qi, expands chest, resolves stagnation; Resolves seafood poisoning, calms foetus.
What is Zǐ Sū Yè used for?
Wind-Cold with qi stagnation, nausea, chest fullness; morning sickness; seafood poisoning.
Which formulas contain Zǐ Sū Yè?
Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng.
Practise Zǐ Sū Yè and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.