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Zi Su Zi紫苏子

Perillae Fructus · Perilla Fruit · Perilla Seed

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药《本草经集注》

Overview

The small ripe fruit of perilla, oily and rich — a different herb again from the leaf and the stem. Acrid and warm, it works downward rather than outward: it directs rebellious Lung qi down to quiet a cough that comes with copious phlegm and breathlessness on lying flat, and its oil content moistens the intestines, so it suits the older or weakened patient whose wheeze comes together with a dry, hard stool. Dry-frying is the standard adjustment: it curbs the laxative effect and makes the seed easier on a loose middle, which is the form used when the cough matters more than the constipation.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Lung · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
紫苏子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Directs qi down, stops cough and wheezingCough and wheezing with abundant thin white phlegm, a full chest, and breathlessness that worsens on lying flat.
  • Moistens the intestines, moves the stoolDry, hard stool in the elderly or the depleted, particularly when it coexists with a chronic wheeze — one dose addresses both.
  • The dry-fried formDry-frying reduces the slippery, stool-loosening quality and makes the seed gentler on the digestion; the fried seed is chosen when the stool is already soft, the raw seed when constipation is part of the picture.
  • Crushed before decoctionThe seed is oily and hard-coated; crushing it is what lets the decoction extract anything at all.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Zi Su Zi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough and wheezing with copious phlegm, worse lying down
    - Chest fullness with rebellious Lung qi
    - Dry constipation of the elderly or the depleted, especially alongside a chronic cough

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic bronchitisAsthmaConstipationCOPD

Contraindications

Cautions

The oil that makes it useful also makes it loosening: it is not for anyone with a weak Spleen and loose stools, and the raw seed will make diarrhea worse — use the dry-fried form if it is needed at all. It is warm and drying in the chest, so it is unsuitable for a dry cough of yin deficiency. Perilla allergy is documented and applies to the seed as well as the leaf.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; because the raw seed loosens the stool, the dry-fried form is the more comfortable choice in pregnancy.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.