Perilla has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, and it is highly valued in Indian and European folk medicine and is used in traditional medicine. The British Daily Mail recently reported that a new study announced at the British Manchester Pharmaceutical Conference found that eating fresh perilla can relieve joint pain.
Researchers from the Pune College of Pharmacy in India found that a concentrated extract from two types of perilla can reduce swelling in swollen joints by 73% within 24 hours. The researchers pointed out that some arthritis drugs often cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort and abdominal pain, while no drug side effects have been found in perilla so far.
Perilla leaves can be brewed directly with boiling water for drinking, or mixed with curry rice or added to salads for consumption. Its anti-inflammatory effects are widely applicable, such as for bronchitis, asthma, skin diseases, and arthritis. Researchers found that a certain enzyme that gives perilla its unique fragrance is the active ingredient for its anti-inflammatory effects.