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Perilla frutescens var. acuta.JPG  Perilla frutescens in Gimpo.jpg   

 

NAME: Shiso

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Perilla Frutescens / Lamiaceae or Labiatae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Beefsteak Mint, Perilla

CONDITIONS: sun-partial shade
 

PARTS:

EDIBLEcid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

 

RAW/DRY/COOK

Spring/Summer

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

 

RAW/COOK

Summer

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

RAW/COOK

Summer

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT: A basil substitute.  Flowers;  Leaves;  Seed. Edible young leaves and seedlings - raw or cooked. The flavour is strange to western palates at first, some people detecting cinnamon, others coriander or citrus. Seedlings are added to salads, older leaves are used as a garnish or flavouring. Older leaves are also salted and used as a condiment for tofu and as a garnish for tempura. Leaves from purple cultivars are used to colour preserved fruits. The leaves can also be dried for later use. Immature flower clusters are used as a garnish for soups and chilled tofu. Older flower clusters are fried and eaten. The seeds are preserved in salt or are used as a spice in pickles, tempura and miso. They are one of the ingredients in 'Shichimi' or 'seven spice' mixture. The seed can also be eaten cooked. Seeds from purple-leafed forms of the plant are preferred for culinary use.(1)

 

CAUTION: There have been cases of toxicity, including dermatitis, pulmonary oedema, respiratory distress and even death following ingestion by cattle and horses.(1)

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  The leaves contain about 3.1% protein, 0.8% fat, 4.1% carbohydrate, 1.1% ash. The seed contains about 21.5% protein, 43.4% fat, 11.3% carbohydrate, 4.4% ash. Antiasthmatic;  Antibacterial;  Antidote;  Antipyretic;  Antiseptic;  Antispasmodic;  Antitussive;  Aromatic; Carminative;  Diaphoretic;  Emollient;  Expectorant;  Pectoral;  Stomachic;  Tonic.(1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: A drying oil obtained from the seed is used in making paints, varnishes, water proofing etc. The plant yields 0.3 - 1.3% essential oil, which contains 20% citral.(1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Perilla+frutescens
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/perilla
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiso (Lots of info on Shiso & good photos)
  4. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Perilla_frutescens
  5. https://hillsborough-homesteading.com/wild-edibles-shiso
  6. https://bohemianvegankitchen.com/how-to-identify-perilla-leaves
  7. https://www.chopstickchronicles.com/shiso-juice
  8. https://cnz.to/ingredients-fine-foods/43-things-to-do-with-fresh-shiso
  9. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-shiso-leaves-5112607