Perilla leaf is used as a therapeutic food around the world. Not only is it delicious and aromatic, perilla is also recognized as an herbal medicine that can be used to treat various conditions. For thousands of years, perilla plants have been traditionally used as a medicinal herb in China and throughout East Asia.
Various studies have shown perilla leaves:
reduce the release of histamine and itching responses
reduce inflammation
reduce bronchial asthma
reduce allergies
protect and restore against ultraviolet radiation
have anticancer properties
Please see below for our aromatic stir-fried perilla leaves recipe!
Stir-Fried Perilla Leaves
Ingredients:
3/4 - 1 pound of fresh perilla leaves
1½ tbsp avocado oil
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
½ cup chicken broth (use our recipes linked below)
½ tsp toasted white sesame seeds
Stir-Fry Sauce:
Sea salt to taste
White ground pepper to taste
Optional: ½ tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
Directions:
Wash and remove excess water from the perilla by using a salad spinner.
Cut against the natural veins of the leaf and into a chiffonade of 1cm ribbons.
Heat wok on high heat. When the wok is hot, add the oil, followed by the garlic and perilla leaves and stir fry until wilted.
Add broth and bring to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for up to 15 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Add ingredients for stir-fry sauce and stir until evenly distributed.
Remove from heat and top with sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
References:
Bae JS, Han M, Shin HS, et al. Perilla frutescens leaves extract ameliorates ultraviolet radiation-induced extracellular matrix damage in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice skin. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017;195:334-342. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.11.039
Dhyani A, Chopra R, Garg M. A Review on Nutritional Value, Functional Properties and Pharmacological Application of Perilla (Perilla Frutescens L.). Biomed Pharmacol J 2019;12(2).
Jeon IH, Kim HS, Kang HJ, et al. Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects of luteolin from Perilla (P. frutescens L.) leaves. Molecules. 2014;19(6):6941-6951. Published 2014 May 27. doi:10.3390/molecules19066941
Kwak Y, Ju J. Inhibitory activities of Perilla frutescens britton leaf extract against the growth, migration, and adhesion of human cancer cells. Nutr Res Pract. 2015;9(1):11-16. doi:10.4162/nrp.2015.9.1.11