🌿 Perilla Leaves Tea: The Right Time to Drink for Better Health and Healing

Perilla (Perilla frutescens), known in Vietnam as lá tía tô, is a fragrant herb widely used in everyday cooking and in traditional Eastern medicine. Beyond its culinary charm, perilla has powerful medicinal properties that can help regulate the body, boost immunity, and support overall well-being — especially when consumed at the right time.

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🥗 The Health Benefits of Perilla Leaves

Perilla leaves are not only a flavorful ingredient but also a valuable herbal remedy. In Vietnamese and East Asian traditional medicine, they are considered warm in nature, meaning they help expel cold, promote circulation, and balance the internal energy (known as khí huyết).

According to Oriental medicine principles, perilla leaves can:

• Expel wind-cold and relieve early symptoms of colds or flu

• Promote sweating to detoxify the body

• Reduce phlegm and relieve coughing or asthma

• Improve digestion and appetite

• Neutralize seafood toxins such as crab or fish poisoning

• Ease nausea and abdominal discomfort

• Calm the fetus when used as perilla stem tea (tô ngạnh)

Meanwhile, perilla seeds (tô tử) are known to help relieve chronic coughs, loosen phlegm, and soothe asthma.

In modern nutrition, perilla leaves are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, which help strengthen the immune system, improve skin health, and support cardiovascular function.

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🍵 Drinking Perilla Tea – The Right Way and Best Time

The timing of consumption plays a key role in maximizing perilla’s benefits.
The best time to drink perilla tea is 10–30 minutes before main meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This helps:

• Stimulate metabolism

• Improve digestion

• Enhance nutrient absorption

• Promote detoxification

• Support fat burning and healthy weight management

• Brighten and clear the skin

Preparation:
Use 10–20 grams of fresh perilla leaves per serving. Boil them gently with about 100 ml of water until the aroma releases, then strain and drink warm.

Tip: To preserve nutrients and essential oils, do not boil the tea for more than 15 minutes. Overheating can cause vitamin loss and reduce its healing properties.

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⚠️ Important Notes and Safety Precautions

While perilla tea is beneficial, moderation is essential.
Adults should drink no more than 2–3 cups per day.

You should not replace regular water with perilla tea, and it should not be consumed continuously for long periods. Overuse may lead to several side effects due to the presence of certain compounds that affect circulation and metabolism.

Possible Side Effects of Overuse:

• High blood pressure and mild heart strain (due to excessive stimulation of blood flow)

• Digestive discomfort, including bloating and indigestion

• Excessive sweating and loose stools, leading to electrolyte imbalance

• Kidney strain, as perilla contains oxalic acid, which can accumulate and potentially contribute to kidney stones or mild renal stress if consumed excessively

To prevent these issues, take short breaks (3–5 days) after drinking perilla tea regularly for 1–2 weeks. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before use, as certain active compounds can affect uterine activity.

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🌿 Modern Scientific Insights

Recent studies in herbal pharmacology confirm that perilla leaves contain rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin — potent antioxidants that combat inflammation and allergic reactions. Research also indicates that perilla may:

• Reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies

• Support mental calmness by lowering cortisol (stress hormone)

• Protect the liver from oxidative stress

• Help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels

This makes perilla tea not just a traditional remedy but also a scientifically supported functional drink for modern wellness.

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💧 Final Thoughts

Perilla leaf tea is more than a simple herbal drink — it’s a bridge between ancient Eastern wisdom and modern nutrition science.
When used correctly, it can:

• Cleanse the body,

• Enhance metabolism,

• Beautify the skin, and

• Strengthen the immune system.

However, just like any herbal remedy, the key is balance. Drink in moderation, follow proper preparation guidelines, and listen to your body. Used wisely, this humble purple-green leaf can become one of your most natural and effective health allies.