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Alternate English names: beefsteak plant fruit

Alternate Chinese names: 苏子 sū zǐ; 铁苏子 tiě sū zǐ; 黑苏子 hēi sū zǐ; 苏子 sū zǐ

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin in unofficial sources: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.*; Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. crispa (Thunb.) Hand.-Mazz.; Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. var. acuta (Thunb.) Kudo.

Use: Medicinal

Category: Phlegm-transforming cough-relieving panting-calming agents / Cough-relieving panting-calming agents

Properties: Acrid; warm.

Channel entry: Lung and large intestine channels.

Actions and indications:

• Downbears qì and transforms phlegm; relieves cough and calms panting: Cough and panting with copious phlegm.
• Moistens the intestines and frees the stool: Intestinal dryness constipation.

Dosage and method: Oral: 5–10g in decoctions.

Warnings: Use with care in spleen vacuity with sloppy stool.

Product description: The dried fruit is ovate or spherical, 0.6–2 mm long, and 0.5–1.5 mm in diameter. Cultivated fruits are larger than wild ones. The exterior surface is brown, with raised reticular makings. At the more pointed end is the scar of the fruit stalk. The exocarp is thin, hard and brittle and is easily broken. The seed is yellowish white and oily. Stir-frying turns this fruit a deep golden brown.

Quality: Full, uniform, grayish-brown fruits are the best.

See: Zǐ sū yè (紫苏叶 Perillae Folium, perilla leaf)

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