Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton

Background of the project

“Widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, the Perilla frutescens species experienced massive popularity in 2020 following certain studies highlighting its antiviral potential against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID19).

Green Colibris is highly inspired by the pursuit of giving as much autonomy as possible to users and people to take care of their health and wellbeing from natural resources offered by plants and experienced on traditional medicine worldwide.

The global situation faced during Covid 19 pandemia led us to research and start different cultivation tests on plants for which there was evidence or scientific publications that highlighted the immunomodulatory function of some species.

Perilla frustescens seems to improve our immune system to help it to face different diseases and for this reason is one of the species in which we are placing a large hope for natural and complementary treatments to Covid 19.

Perilla frutescens is an edible plant, used every day in food in many Asian countries. Including it in a daily consumption or as a dietary supplement can be part of a strategy for enhancing our body capacity to protect itself from Covid 19.”

PROJECT TIMELINE

2019

Beginning of cultivation in Vietnam

2020

Beginning of cultivation in Mauritius Island with Organic certification by Ecocert

Botanical information about Perilla frutescens
Taxonomy	Family : Lamiaceae Genus : *Perilla L.* Species : *Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton*
Description of Perilla frutescens	Annual plant growing 60–90 cm tall, with hairy square stalks. The leaves are opposite, 7–12 cm long and 5–8 cm wide, with a broad oval shape, pointy ends, serrated(saw-toothed) margins, and long leafstalks. The flowers bloom on racemes at the end of branches and the main stalk in late summer.
Common names for Perilla frutescens	Basilic chinois Shiso Melissa maxima Ard. Mentha perilloides Lam Ocimum frutescens L. Perilla avium Dunn
Natural Global Distribution of Perilla frutescens	Korean peninsula Southern China, Japan and India Introduced in tropical and subtropical countries in Africa, South and Central America
Active Substances of Perilla frutescens	Phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, policosanols, carotenoids, fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols Rosmarinic acid Perillaldehyde Luteolin Apigenin Tormentic acid Isoegomaketone
Properties of Perilla frutescens	Hepatoprotective Anti-asthmatic Anti-inflammatory Antibacterial Antifungal Antihistaminic Antioxydant Antiseptic Antispasmodic Antiviral Anxiolytic Cognitive disorders qualities Expectorant Painkiller Antipyretic

Phytotherapeutic uses of Perilla frutescens

Perilla frutescens L. varieties have been used since long time in Asian countries. In human traditional herbal medicine in China and India, the stem of the plant is historically used as an analgesic and anti-abortion agent.

The leaves are believed to be useful against asthma, colds, flu, chest stuffiness, vomiting, cough, constipation, and abdominal pain, as well as promoting stomach function.

According to the Chinese traditions, Perilla frutescens could be used to cure a number of conditions such as cold, fever, chills, headache, and stuffy nose.

In addition, the plant has traditionally been prescribed to treat depression-related disease, asthma, anxiety, tumors, coughs, allergies, intoxication, and some intestinal disorders.

In 2020 and 2021 the Perilla frutescens leaves are used principally in Vietnam and China for their possible activity against the virus SARS-CoV-2. This species is also recommended for its immunomodulator effect.