WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

It is the dried ripe fruit of Perilla frutescens(L.)Britt.,family Labiatae. The fruits are collected in autumn when they are ripe. They are dried in the sunshine after the impurities are removed. The raw or slightly stir-baked ones are used after being pounded.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Pungent and warm; relate to lung and large intestine meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Direct qi downward and resolve phlegm; relieve cough and dyspnea; moisten intestine and release bowls.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Phlegm accumulation, adverse rise of qi, cough and dyspnea      It treats phlegm accumlation and adverse rise of qi causing cough and dyspnea, usually in combination with Baijiezi and Laifuzi in Sanzi Yangqin Decoction; for upper excess and lower deficiency manifested as prolonged cough with sputum and dyspnea, it is used together with Rougui, Houpo and Banxia, such as Suzi Jiangqi Decoction.

2. Intestinal dryness with constipation      It is usually combined with Huomaren Gualouren and Xingren.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3-9g.

[ Medicinal Comparison ]: Similarities: Kuxinngren and Zisuzi can direct qi downward, relieve cough and dyspnea, moisten intestine and release bowls, so they mainly treat cough and dyspnea due to adverse rise of lung qi and constipatin due to dry intestine.

 Differences:Kuxiangren also ventilates lung and is combined to treat cough and dyspnea caused by many factors since it has milder warm nature. Zisuzi also resolves phlegm and treats phlegm of cold type since it has stronger warm nature.

紫苏子为唇形科植物紫苏Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt的成熟果实。主产于江苏、安徽、河南等地。秋季果实成熟时采收，晒干。生用或微炒，用时捣碎。