Perilla is a relatively common traditional Chinese medicine. Generally, we use perilla in cooking many times in our lives. Perilla is actually a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, and there are many ways to use perilla as medicine. For example, perilla leaves, perilla stems and perilla roots can be used as medicine. So, how to preserve perilla leaves in general? Or how to identify perilla leaves?

1. How to identify perilla leaves

1. Identification of plant morphology

An annual upright herb with a unique aroma. The stem is erect, 30-100cm high, blunt and quadrangular, green or purple, densely covered with villous hairs. The leaves are opposite, and the petiole is 3 to 5 cm long; the leaves are broadly oval or round, 7 to 13 cm long, and 4.5 to 10 cm wide. The apex is short or pointed, the base is round or wide wedge-shaped, and the edges are coarsely serrated above the base. Both sides are green or purple, or only the back is purple, both sides are sparsely pubescent, and there are glandular spots below. The inflorescences consist of terminal and axillary racemes that are biased to one side; the bracts are broadly ovate or nearly round, about 4 mm long and wide, with cilium; the calyx is bell-shaped, with 10 veins, the lower part is villous, and the inner surface is throaty. There is a ring of sparse hairs on the head, the upper lip is wide and has 3 teeth, the middle tooth is smaller, and the lower lip is slightly longer and 2 teeth; the corolla is white or purple, the length of the crown tube is 2 to 2.5mm, the crown eaves are nearly bilabial, and the top of the upper lip is slightly Concave, lower lip 3-lobed, middle lobe larger; stamens 4, 2 strong; ovary 4-lobed, stigma 2-lobed. Nutlets are nearly spherical, grayish brown. The flowering period is from August to November, and the fruiting period is from September to December.

2. Characteristic identification of medicinal materials

The leaves of this product are often shrunken, curled and broken. The intact ones are oval after being flattened, 4 to 11cm long and 2.5 to 9cm wide. The apex is long or acute, the base is round or wide wedge-shaped, and the edges are circularly serrated. Both sides are purple or the upper surface is green, the lower surface is purple, with sparse gray-white hairs, and there are many concave dot-like glandular scales on the lower surface. The petiole is 2-7cm long, purple or purple-green. Crisp. Those with young branches are 2 to 5 mm in diameter, purple-green, and have pith in the middle of the cross section. The aroma is fragrant and the taste is slightly pungent.

3. Perilla species identification

There are two types of perilla, one of which has a purple leaf back and an aromatic and sweet taste. Fresh perilla leaves and young ginger are commonly used. Mash it and mix with white-cut pork and white-cut duck meat with salt; or use fresh perilla leaves, add garlic, and pound with salt to make a cold dish. It has the functions of promoting qi, strengthening the stomach, helping digestion, and promoting sweating and dispelling cold. Folks often use fresh perilla leaves to stir-fry snails. On the one hand, they take advantage of their aroma to eliminate the smell and make them palatable, and on the other hand, they take advantage of their detoxifying effects. Perilla is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine in China, and is mostly used in cooking by the Japanese, especially as an indispensable companion when eating sashimi. In a few areas of my country, it is also used as a vegetable or in tea. Perilla leaves, also called Perilla leaves, have the functions of relieving external cold, promoting qi and regulating the stomach. It is mainly used to treat wind-cold colds, coughs, chest and abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting. The seeds, also called perilla, have antitussive, asthmatic, and expectorant properties. Perilla oil can be distilled from the whole plant of perilla, and the oil produced from the seeds is also called perilla oil. Long-term consumption of perilla oil has obvious effects on the treatment of coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia.

2. The functions of perilla

First, it relieves the exterior and dispels cold, promotes qi and harmonizes the stomach. It is used for colds, coughs and nausea, pregnancy vomiting, and fish and crab poisoning.

Second, it is used for colds, wind-cold, fever, aversion to cold, headache, nasal congestion, cough or chest tightness.

Third, it is used for symptoms of spleen and stomach qi stagnation, chest tightness, and vomiting. This product has the effects of promoting qi, relaxing the stomach and relieving vomiting. If it is cold, it can be used with Huoxiang; if it is hot, it can be used with Coptis. For those with stagnation of Qi and phlegm, it is often used together with Pinellia ternata and Magnolia officinalis. It is also used for pregnancy vomiting and chest and abdominal fullness and tightness. It is often combined with tangerine peel and Amomum villosum to enhance its anti-vomiting and anti-fetal effects. It is used for abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea caused by eating fish and crab. Use it alone or with ginger and Angelica dahurica decoction.

Fourth, because perilla has diaphoretic and relaxing effects, when you suffer from cold, cough, or pain, drinking a cup of warm perilla tea can effectively relieve the symptoms; when you feel stressed . When you are physically and mentally exhausted, brew a cup of perilla tea. Its special fragrance can make people relaxed and calm. This special fragrance actually comes from perilla aldehyde. Both it and perilla oil can supplement blood nutrients and increase blood sugar levels, which can alleviate anemia and rejuvenate the body.

Fifth, perilla can also reduce the symptoms of chest and abdominal distension, treat periodontitis, and suppress pollen allergies.

However, taking perilla leaves is not completely free of side effects. Some patients may experience reduced saliva and dry mouth after taking it.

However, there is no need to worry. This symptom is relatively mild and appears for a short time. It does not require special treatment and will disappear slowly on its own.

3. How to store perilla leaves

1. Use jars to store perilla leaves

Jars can be used to store many things because they can be mixed with the air. The oxygen is isolated, so to a certain extent, the aerobic respiration of perilla leaves is inhibited.

2. Store the perilla leaves in the refrigerator

Wash the perilla leaves you buy or pick yourself, dry them, put them in a fresh-keeping bag, and put them in the fresh-keeping layer of the refrigerator. . It can be stored for a certain period of time, but it is best to eat it quickly. After all, it will not taste good if it is stored for a long time.

3. Use foam boxes to preserve perilla leaves

In daily life, everyone knows that many users use foam boxes to store popsicles and fruits for a longer period of time, so foam boxes are used to store popsicles and fruits for a longer period of time. Boxes are a good choice for preserving perilla leaves.

4. Use water to preserve perilla leaves

In summer, the temperature of water is much lower than the temperature of air. Many fruits and vegetables can be preserved with water. The method is to use clean Wrap it in a plastic bag, put it in the water, press it with stones, and make it sink to the bottom.

5. Use cabinets to preserve perilla leaves

The inside of the cupboard is relatively clean and can be sealed to store things, so it is also possible to use cabinets to preserve perilla leaves to a certain extent, of course. This is suitable for short-term storage.

6. Preserve perilla leaves after drying

Most vegetables can be made into dried vegetables, which are convenient for long-term storage and consumption. The method is to dry the cleaned perilla leaves in the sun, place them in a ventilated place or seal them in a sealed bag.

4. Perilla Leaf Foot Soak

As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, it is loved by many friends because it is a plant with both medicinal and food uses. But what you may not know is that perilla leaves can also be used to soak your feet, which can be a good treatment for coughs and asthma. In addition, if you are always coughing or asthmatic, you may wish to soak your feet twice a day, morning and evening, for 30 minutes each time, and 10 days is a course of treatment. After the first course of treatment, start the second course of treatment three days later, so that the acupuncture points on the feet can gradually adapt, so that the effect will be better.

Perilla leaves have slightly warm medicinal properties and can dispel cold. Therefore, using perilla leaves to soak your feet can help dissipate the coldness of your legs and feet. It is suitable for use in winter, especially for the elderly with cold bodies. Even people with athlete's foot can relieve symptoms by using perilla leaves to soak their feet.

In addition, perilla leaves have the effect of promoting blood circulation. Although by using it to soak your feet, it is difficult to exert its medicinal effect for a while. But if you insist on using it for a long time, it will also be helpful in promoting blood circulation in the legs and feet.