Zi Su Zi - 紫苏子 - Fructus Perillae

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Fructus Perillae
Common English:	Perilla Fruit Perilla Seed

Category

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Relieve Cough and Wheezing (Anti-Asthmatics)

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid	Warm (Lukewarm)	Large Intestine Lung	3-10g Tincture: 2-4ml Grind before use, as is usual.

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Calms wheezing, Descends Qi and dissolves Phlegm, Stops coughing	Coughing and wheezing with copious Phlegm due to Phlegm accumulation Especially useful when exhalation is more labored than inhalation with a stifling sensation in the chest
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the stool	Constipation due to dry Intestines

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Sm. Sinapis Bai Jie Zi Sm. Raphani Lai Fu Zi	Sm. Lepidii/Descurainiae Ting Li Zi	Bul. Fritillariae Thunbergii Zhe Bei Mu
Wheezing from Phlegm and thin mucus leading to Qi Stagnation, focal distention in the chest, anorexia and indigestion.	Accumulation of Phlegm and thin mucus leading to Lung Qi Stagnation and blockage with coughing and wheezing which is worse when lying down, edema of the tissues of the face and head, stifling fullness and discomfort in the chest and reduction in the flow of urine. Do not use lightly, for mild disorders or for everyday use. Cease using once the desired effect is achieved.	Coughing and wheezing with copious, viscous sputum due to Phlegm Damp Obstruction.
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia Rx. and Rz. Cynanchi Stauntonii Bai Qian	Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po Rx. Peucedani Qian Hu	Sm. Cannabis Huo Ma Ren Sm. Trichosanthis Gua Lou Ren
Coughing and wheezing due to Rebellious Qi and Phlegm.	Coughing and wheezing due to Rebellious Qi and Phlegm.	Constipation due to dry Intestines. Rebellious Qi cough.
Sm. Cannabis Huo Ma Ren Rice Congee	Sm. Armeniacae Xing Ren
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels.	Coughing and wheezing with constipation.

Notes

1. Certain sources report that it relieves anxiety.
2. The leaf, Fol. Perillae Zi Su Ye, releases the exterior; the stem, Ramulus Perillae Su Geng, expands the chest; the lower part treats morning sickness in pregnancy; and the fruit, Zi Su Zi, descends Qi.
3. It is favored for asthma in weaker people.
4. It benefits coughs brought on by Cold.
5. Zi Su Zi, Caulis Perillae Zi Su Geng, and Fol. Perillae Zi Su Ye all regulate Qi, but each targets different symptoms. Zi Su Ye is light and ascending; it harmonizes the Middle, stops nausea and expels External Wind-Cold by dispersing and smoothing Lung Qi, opening and unblocking the muscle layer and exterior, draining Wind and transforming the pathogen. Zi Su Geng unbinds the Qi of the Middle Jiao and relieves obstruction in the chest and diaphragm, thereby opening and draining Internal Qi, relieving clumping, stopping pain, descending Qi, calming wheezing, unbinding the Stomach, awakening the Spleen and treating Leg Qi. Fr. Perillae Zi Su Zi is slippery and easing and travels straight downward, descending Qi, reducing Phlegm, alleviating cough and moistening the Lungs.
6. Zi Su Zi and Sm. Sinapis Bai Jie Zi both treat cough and dyspnea from Cold-Phlegm. Zi Su Zi excels at descending rebellious Qi, settling wheezing and dispersing Phlegm, and treats cough and acute wheezing from Cold-Phlegm. Bai Jie Zi is intensely drying, mobilizes the channels and collaterals, and excels at moving Qi and drying Phlegm.
7. Dry-fried Perilla Fruit Chao Zi Su Zi is far less moistening, so its action centers on descending Qi, expelling Phlegm, and relieving cough and wheezing. It is the form used most often. The raw fruit is reserved for moistening the Intestines and treating cough.
8. Prepared Perilla Fruit Zhi Zi Su Zi more effectively moistens the Lungs and Large Intestine and relieves cough and wheezing, particularly in Yin Deficient patients with constipation.
9. It is also known as Su Zi.