Nuts & Seeds · Seed
Perilla Seeds
Perilla frutescens · also called Deulkkae (Korean), egoma (Japanese), perilla seed oil
Perilla seeds are small round seeds from a plant in the mint family, eaten toasted and ground or pressed into a nutty oil. The seed is rich in fat, fiber and several minerals, and the oil is very high in the plant omega-3 fat ALA. Almost no human research on the seeds exists, so health claims are unproven. The main caution is seed allergy, which can cause anaphylaxis.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Perilla Seeds
Perilla seeds are a nutritious, energy-dense seed and oil from Korean and Japanese cooking. There is little research, and the best-documented issue is seed allergy.
What it is
Perilla seeds come from Perilla frutescens, a plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). In Korea they are called deulkkae and in Japan egoma. They are toasted and ground as a seasoning, or pressed into oil. The leaf is a different part, eaten as a vegetable (kkaennip, shiso). This page is about the seed and, briefly, its oil.
There is no USDA FoodData Central entry for perilla seeds. A Korean food table, printed in a 2023 open-access review, lists dry seed per 100 g as 530 kcal, 39.7 g fat, 22.7 g protein, 22 g fiber, 254 mg magnesium, 716 mg phosphorus, 3.69 mg manganese and 1.21 mg copper. One ounce (28 g) is about 150 kcal, 11 g fat, 6 g fiber and 72 mg magnesium by our calculation. Values vary with variety and roasting; we did not open the Korean table itself.
What the research shows
We found no human trial of eating perilla seeds. A 2024 review reports that perilla oil is very high in ALA, a plant omega-3 fat, and describes small oil studies for blood fats and for older adults. We did not read those trials, so we cannot judge them. The same review says heart, cancer and brain claims rest mainly on cell and animal work.
The body converts only part of ALA to the fish-oil fats EPA and DHA. Nothing found shows that perilla changes EPA or DHA levels.
Seed versus oil versus supplement
The few human studies used oil, often in capsules. A small trial of oil does not tell us what toasted seeds in a meal do. Perilla leaf products are a different thing and are not covered here.
Amounts
This page gives no amounts to eat. Ask a doctor, dietitian or pharmacist what is right for you, especially if you have allergies or take medicine.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Toasted and ground as a seasoning in Korean cooking
- Pressed into a nutty cooking oil and condiment
Studied for research
- Nutrient content (fat, fiber, minerals), established as food composition
- Plant omega-3 fat ALA in the oil, moderate for the content, insufficient for benefit
- Blood fats with oil capsules, very low certainty
- Heart, cancer and brain claims, lab and animal only
Main compounds
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
- Rosmarinic acid and luteolin (lab compounds)
- Oleosin (the main allergen protein)
Common forms
- Toasted and ground seed as seasoning
- Perilla seed oil
- Oil capsules (used in the small trials; not the same as the seed)
Research links: Perilla seed oil and protein review (2024) · Korean schoolchildren food allergy survey (2026) · Perilla seed allergy in children (2023) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Perilla frutescens
- Naming authority
- (L.) Britton
- Common names
- Perilla seed (English); Deulkkae (seed) (Korean); Egoma (seed) (Japanese)
- Family or group
- Lamiaceae (the mint family), per a 2023 review.
- Classification
- Plantae > Lamiaceae > Perilla > Perilla frutescens
- Native range
- Not verified.
- Habitat
- Not verified.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Eaten as a vegetable or garnish; a different part from the seed.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: The small round seed is the food.
- Cultivation
- Not verified.
- Harvest and processing
- Seeds are toasted and ground as seasoning, or pressed into oil (encyclopedia summary; not verified).
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Korean and Japanese cooking | The seeds are used toasted and ground, or pressed for oil (encyclopedia summary; not verified against a primary source). | s-wikipedia-perilla |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) | omega-3 fatty acid | Seed oil About 53 to 62 percent of the oil (Aochen 2023); 54 to 64 percent (Guan 2024) | Essential plant omega-3 fat. 1 2 | Human data |
| Rosmarinic acid and luteolin | plant polyphenols | Seed 368 mg rosmarinic acid and about 10 mg luteolin per 100 g dry seed (Aochen 2023 Table 1) | Lab antioxidant compounds; no human trial from the seed was read. 1 | Laboratory research |
| Oleosin (protein) | seed storage protein | Oil bodies of the seed | Main allergenic protein found in allergic children. 7 5 | Laboratory research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergy | IgE binding to oleosin | IgE from allergic children bound oleosin in the seed. 7 5 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not studied for perilla seed.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Linus Pauling Institute (summary-only): some dietary ALA is converted to EPA and DHA, more in women than in men.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not found.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The few human studies described used perilla oil capsules or a spoonful of oil, not seeds. A trial of oil does not tell us what toasted seeds in a meal do.
Nutritional composition
No USDA FoodData Central entry exists for perilla seeds. Values below are for dry seed from the Korean Food Composition Table (Rural Development Administration, 2011), as printed in Table 1 of Aochen et al. 2023 (open access, read 2026-10-26); we did not open the Korean table. Per 100 g dry seed: 530 kcal, 39.7 g fat, 22.7 g protein, 29.3 g carbohydrate, 22 g fiber, 391 mg calcium, 254 mg magnesium, 7.74 mg iron, 4.8 mg zinc, 716 mg phosphorus, 583 mg potassium, 1.21 mg copper, 3.69 mg manganese. Roasted seed in the same table: 36.2 g fat, 23.6 g protein, 35.5 g carbohydrate, 315 mg magnesium, 4.61 mg manganese. Per 1 ounce (28 g), our calculation (x0.2835, rounded) from dry seed: about 150 kcal, 11 g fat, 6.4 g protein, 6.2 g fiber, 1.05 mg manganese, 0.34 mg copper, 72 mg magnesium, 203 mg phosphorus, 165 mg potassium. Values vary with variety, growing place and roasting.
2 moderate certainty1 very low certainty2 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 5 benefits and uses checked for Perilla Seeds, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
What is Perilla Seeds good for?
The few things studied and how strong the evidence is. No trial of the whole seed was found. The human studies mentioned used oil.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Fat, fiber, protein and minerals in the seed
Moderate certaintyA Korean food table, as reproduced in a 2023 review, lists dry perilla seed as high in fat, fiber and protein, with a lot of manganese, copper, magnesium and phosphorus. These are nutrient facts, not health trials.
1 studiesDry and roasted whole seed as food.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of the seed was found. The numbers are food composition values. They vary with variety, growing place and roasting.
Results
Per 100 g dry seed: 530 kcal, 39.7 g fat, 22.7 g protein, 22 g fiber, 3.69 mg manganese, 1.21 mg copper, 254 mg magnesium, 716 mg phosphorus, 7.74 mg iron, 4.8 mg zinc, 391 mg calcium, 583 mg potassium.
Why this rating
Numbers were read in an open-access review (Table 1). That table copies the Korean Food Composition Table (2011), which we did not open. There is no USDA entry for perilla seed.
Form and dose studied
Dry and roasted whole seed as food.
Who was studied
Anyone eating the seed.
Limits
Secondary source. One table. Variety and roasting change values.
Why researchers looked
People ask what is in the seed.
Traditional use
Perilla seed is a traditional food and oil in Korea and Japan; long use is not proof of any health effect.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
The seed is an oilseed: about 40 g fat, 22 g fiber and 23 g protein per 100 g dry seed in the table read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Seed allergy is possible; see Safety.
Plant omega-3 fat (ALA) in perilla seed oil
Moderate certaintyThe oil pressed from the seed is one of the richest plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant omega-3 fat. The body turns only part of ALA into the fish-oil fats EPA and DHA.
3 studiesSeed oil and whole seed. The oil is a different product from the seed.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial of perilla seed or oil changing EPA or DHA levels was read.
Results
Oil is reported as about 53 to 62 percent ALA (Frontiers in Nutrition 2023); a 2024 review gives 54 to 64 percent. The seed is about 36 to 40 percent fat, so a rough ALA estimate for the whole seed is lower than the oil figure. We did not read a direct measurement.
Why this rating
Moderate for the fat composition of the oil (two reviews agree closely). Insufficient for any health benefit from the conversion of ALA.
Form and dose studied
Seed oil and whole seed. The oil is a different product from the seed.
Who was studied
General adult diet.
Limits
Composition only. Reviews, not trials. Conversion figures are second hand (Linus Pauling Institute summary, not re-opened).
Why researchers looked
ALA is an essential fat and perilla oil has a lot of it.
Traditional use
Perilla seed is a traditional food and oil in Korea and Japan; long use is not proof of any health effect.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
ALA is an omega-3 fat. The body can convert some to EPA and DHA, but only a small share (second-hand figures).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Oil spoils easily because ALA oxidises; no perilla-specific storage source was read.
Perilla oil capsules and blood fats
Very low certaintyA review describes one small trial of perilla oil capsules in 36 adults with high blood fats, reporting lower fats and CRP after 56 days. We did not read the trial, and it tested oil capsules, not seeds.
1 studiesOil capsules (not the seed).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Second-hand description of one small oil trial.
Results
Reported lower blood lipids and CRP; numbers not available to us.
Why this rating
Small, second hand, oil capsules, trial not read.
Form and dose studied
Oil capsules (not the seed).
Who was studied
36 adults with high blood fats (as described).
Limits
Trial not read; no seed trial; possible bias unknown.
Why researchers looked
Oil rich in ALA is studied for blood fats.
Traditional use
Perilla seed is a traditional food and oil in Korea and Japan; long use is not proof of any health effect.
Proposed mechanism Systematic review
Authors of the review propose effects through ALA and other oil components. This is their interpretation.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Perilla oil in older adults
Not enough evidenceA review lists a 12-month Japanese study of a daily spoonful of the oil in older adults with benefits in antioxidant, thinking-related and bone markers. This is second hand and the evidence is insufficient.
1 studiesOil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Second-hand description of a small oil study.
Results
Benefits reported in markers; details not available to us.
Why this rating
Small, summarised second hand, oil not seed.
Form and dose studied
Oil.
Who was studied
Older adults.
Limits
Study not read.
Why researchers looked
Small oil studies in older adults.
Traditional use
Perilla seed is a traditional food and oil in Korea and Japan; long use is not proof of any health effect.
Proposed mechanism Systematic review
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Heart, cancer and brain claims
Not enough evidenceThe 2024 review says benefits for the heart, cancer and brain rest mainly on cell and animal work. Large, long human trials are still needed.
1 studiesSeed oil and protein extracts.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Not shown in people.
Why this rating
Lab and animal only.
Form and dose studied
Seed oil and protein extracts.
Limits
Not tested in people.
Why researchers looked
Oil and seed compounds show effects in cells and animals.
Traditional use
Perilla seed is a traditional food and oil in Korea and Japan; long use is not proof of any health effect.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Cell and animal findings only.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Connections to the rest of health
How Perilla Seeds connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | Seed allergy documented in Korean children. Perilla seed allergy is documented in Korean children. Preparation or compound: Perilla seed |
3 5 |
| Food anaphylaxis | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | About 0.02 percent in a Korean school survey; case reports. About 0.02% in a Korean school survey; case reports. Preparation or compound: Perilla seed |
3 4 |
| Asthma | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | One occupational case. Preparation or compound: Smoke from roasting seeds |
8 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) | Biological association | Human | Essential plant omega-3 fat. Preparation or compound: Seed oil |
1 2 |
| Rosmarinic acid and luteolin | Biological association | In vitro | Lab antioxidant compounds; no human trial from the seed was read. Preparation or compound: Seed |
1 |
| Oleosin (protein) | Biological association | In vitro | Main allergenic protein found in allergic children. Preparation or compound: Oil bodies of the seed |
7 5 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 5 outcomes
Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.
The evidence
The research centre for Perilla Seeds. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our earlier perilla summary, re-checked the nutrition table in an open-access review, and verified the allergy papers on PubMed. Where we read only a title or a summary, the page says so. Little research exists, so this page is deliberately short.
Study library: every study we checked 11
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aochen 2023 Perilla frutescens L.: a dynamic food crop worthy of future challenges. Front Nutr · PMID 37324746 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Food composition review | Dry and roasted perilla seed seed |
Open-access full text read 2026-10-26 (Europe PMC, PMC10267336). Table 1 gives per 100 g dry seed: 530 kcal, 22.7 g protein, 39.7 g fat, 29.3 g carbohydrate, 22 g fiber, 4.6 g moisture, 391 mg calcium, 254 mg magnesium, 7.74 mg iron, 1.21 mg copper, 3.69 mg manganese, 4.8 mg zinc, 716 mg phosphorus, 583 mg potassium. Roasted seed: 36.2 g fat, 23.6 g protein, 35.5 g carbohydrate, 315 mg magnesium, 4.61 mg manganese. The text gives perilla seed oil as about 53 to 62 percent ALA, 10 to 13 percent linoleic acid and 11 to 16 percent oleic acid. Table 1 also lists rosmarinic acid 368 mg and luteolin about 10 mg per 100 g dry seed. The table cites the Korean Food Composition Table (Rural Development Administration, 2011), not opened. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Secondary source for the Korean table. Review with no health trial. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: full-text |
| Guan L et al. 2024 Perilla Seed Oil and Protein: Composition, Health Benefits, and Potential Applications in Functional Foods. Molecules · PMID 39598647 |
Narrative review |
Review | Perilla seed oil and protein seed |
Abstract: perilla seed oil has a high level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), tocopherols and phytosterols; the review discusses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and heart-protective effects and seed protein uses, and calls for future research. Only the abstract was re-read on 2026-10-26; figures about the oil (54 to 64 percent ALA, 35 to 45 percent oil in the seed) and the small oil trials come from the earlier text summary and were not re-opened. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Narrative review. Human trials are described only second hand here. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: abstract |
| Jeon 2026 Prevalence of Immediate-Type Food Allergy and Food-Induced Anaphylaxis in Korean Schoolchildren. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res · PMID 42223040 · DOI |
Cross sectional survey |
12558 12,558 Korean schoolchildren |
Perilla seed as a food allergen seed |
Nationwide 2022 school survey of 12,558 children aged 6 to 13. Recurrent immediate-type food allergy 7.8 percent; food-induced anaphylaxis 0.7 percent. Perilla seed, described by the authors as a uniquely observed allergen in Korea, had prevalences of 0.11 percent for allergy and 0.02 percent for perilla seed-induced anaphylaxis. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Questionnaire-based; Korea only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: abstract |
| Jeong 2006 Two cases of anaphylaxis caused by perilla seed. J Allergy Clin Immunol · PMID 16751022 |
Case report (letter) |
Two cases | Perilla seed seed |
Citation record read: a letter reporting two cases of anaphylaxis caused by perilla seed. No abstract is available, so no details are given. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Citation only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: citation-only |
| Jeong 2023 Clinical and Immunological Characterization of Perilla Seed Allergy in Children. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 34643183 · DOI |
Case series |
21 21 allergic children, two hospitals |
Perilla seed seed |
21 children with clinical perilla seed allergy; median age 3 years; 28.6 percent had anaphylaxis. All 15 children who had a skin prick test with perilla seed extract tested positive; 85.7 percent had perilla-specific IgE on ELISA. The authors conclude oleosin is one of the major allergens. They note previous reports were limited to a few case reports. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Small case series of already allergic children; cannot give how common it is. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: abstract |
| Jeong 2025 Update on Tree Nut and Seed Allergies: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Management. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res · PMID 41330701 · DOI |
Review |
Review | Tree nuts and seeds in general seed |
General review: nut and seed allergies are often severe, typically start in childhood and may last for life; first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is prompt intramuscular epinephrine. Perilla is not discussed in the abstract. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not perilla-specific. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: abstract |
| Jeong 2026 Advancing allergen characterization in Perilla seed: an oil body purification approach. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol · PMID 41618458 · DOI |
Laboratory study human (serum) |
Sera from children allergic to perilla seed | Perilla seed proteins seed |
Authors call perilla seed a leading cause of seed-induced anaphylaxis in Korean children. Using serum from allergic children, IgE binding was seen at several protein sizes; oleosin at 14 to 15 kDa (and probably a 33 kDa form) was the predominant allergenic protein. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Laboratory characterisation; no outcome in people eating the seed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: abstract |
| Jung S et al. 2013 Occupational asthma caused by inhaling smoke from roasting perilla seeds. Allergy Asthma Respir Dis |
Case report |
One worker | Smoke from roasting perilla seeds seed |
Earlier summary (abstract read 2026-10-23, not re-opened): one man who roasted grains for 10 years became short of breath only when roasting perilla seeds, and a test with the roasting smoke gave an asthma response. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: One case. Not re-checked on 2026-10-26. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: summary-only |
| Linus Pauling Institute Essential Fatty Acids Micronutrient Information Center · Source |
Health institute |
n/a | ALA seed |
Earlier summary (read 2026-10-23, not re-opened): ALA Adequate Intake 1.6 g a day for men and 1.1 g for women (US Institute of Medicine, 2002); in healthy young adults about 8 percent of ALA converts to EPA in men and 21 percent in women; flaxseed oil at high doses may inhibit platelet aggregation. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not re-checked on 2026-10-26. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: summary-only |
| Ramirez-Mateo 2024 Allergy to White Perilla and Cross-reactivity With Sesame. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 39319540 · DOI |
Case report / allergy study |
Not known | White perilla seed |
Citation record read: the title says a report of allergy to white perilla with cross-reactivity with sesame. No abstract is available, so no details or numbers are given. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Title only; findings not read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: citation-only |
| Wikipedia Perilla frutescens Encyclopedia · Source |
Encyclopedia |
n/a | n/a seed |
Earlier summary: used only for names (deulkkae, egoma, kkaennip, shiso) and culinary notes. Not verified against a primary source. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Encyclopedia; not re-read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the text read. Read: summary-only |
What we do not know yet
- No human trial of eating perilla seeds was found.
- The small oil trials were described second hand and not read.
- The Korean food table was read only through a review; no USDA data exist.
- How common perilla allergy is outside Korea and Japan, and the sesame link, are not known to us.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, medicine interactions, mold and storage were not found.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Perilla seed allergy is real, including anaphylaxis. In a 2022 survey of 12,558 Korean schoolchildren, perilla seed allergy was reported in 0.11 percent and perilla-seed anaphylaxis in 0.02 percent. The authors call it a uniquely observed allergen in Korea. A series of 21 allergic children had a median age of 3 years and 28.6 percent had anaphylaxis. Trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat needs emergency help. Observational 3 5 4
- The main allergen is probably oleosin in the seed oil bodies. Laboratory work with serum from allergic children found oleosin was the main allergenic protein. This means oil and seed products may both carry the risk. We did not read how pure oil behaves. Laboratory research 7 5
- Smoke from roasting the seeds triggered asthma in one worker. One Korean case report describes a man who became short of breath only when roasting perilla seeds. This is a single case. Case report 8
Side effects 2
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction to perilla seed, including anaphylaxis About 0.11 percent allergy and 0.02 percent anaphylaxis in Korean schoolchildren (2022 survey). Frequency outside Korea and Japan was not found. | 0.11% allergy; 0.02% anaphylaxis (Korean schoolchildren) | severe in some Not stated | Observational 3 5 4 |
| Asthma from inhaling roasting smoke One worker; earlier summary, not re-opened. | Not established | not stated Not stated | Case report 8 |
Liver
No liver injury from eating perilla seeds was found in the sources read. LiverTox was not checked.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Perilla Seeds supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood thinners and other medicines prescription | No perilla seed study of medicine interactions was found. For comparison only, the Linus Pauling Institute says high doses of flaxseed oil may inhibit platelet aggregation. We did not read a source that tested this for perilla. | Unknown for perilla seed as food. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 9 | Ask a pharmacist if you take blood thinners and plan to use large amounts of perilla oil. |
Who should check first 1
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from perilla seeds as a food was found in the sources read. Perilla ketone, an aroma compound of the plant, is toxic to grazing livestock; this is not a finding about seeds eaten by people.
Animal. Livestock grazing only (encyclopedia summary).
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Toxic or hazardous parts. Leaf handling may cause contact dermatitis (encyclopedia summary, not verified).
No perilla-specific source on mold, aflatoxin, rancidity or heavy metals was read. The oil is high in ALA, which oxidises easily.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, or widespread hives after eating perilla seed or oil
- Wheezing or shortness of breath while roasting seeds
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are perilla seeds the same as shiso?
Do perilla seeds have omega-3?
Can you be allergic to perilla seeds?
What causes perilla seed allergy?
Is perilla related to sesame allergy?
A 2024 report is titled as describing white perilla allergy with cross-reactivity with sesame, but we read only the title, so we cannot say more. Ask an allergist.
Does perilla oil lower cholesterol?
Not shown. A review describes one small trial of oil capsules in 36 adults with high blood fats, but we did not read it and no seed trial is known to us.
Are perilla seeds good for the heart or brain?
Not shown in people. The 2024 review says these claims rest mainly on cell and animal work.
How many calories are in perilla seeds?
Dry seed is listed at 530 kcal per 100 g in a Korean food table, about 150 kcal per ounce by our calculation. It is energy dense. No weight claim is made.
Does roasting change perilla seeds?
The same table lists roasted seed with 36.2 g fat versus 39.7 g in dry seed, and higher magnesium. We found no source explaining why, so we make no claim about roasting.
Can roasting perilla seeds cause problems?
One Korean case report describes asthma in a worker from the smoke of roasting perilla seeds. It is a single case.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
We found no source on perilla seeds in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask your doctor.
How are perilla seeds used in cooking?
In Korea the seeds are toasted and ground as a seasoning, or pressed into a nutty oil (encyclopedia summary, not verified against a primary source).
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our earlier perilla summary, re-checked the nutrition table in an open-access review, and verified the allergy papers on PubMed. Where we read only a title or a summary, the page says so. Little research exists, so this page is deliberately short.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 11
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Aochen C, Kumar A, Jaiswal S et al.. Perilla frutescens L.: a dynamic food crop worthy of future challenges.. Front Nutr. 2023. PMID 37324746. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2023.1130927. (full-text)
- Guan L et al.. Perilla Seed Oil and Protein: Composition, Health Benefits, and Potential Applications in Functional Foods.. Molecules. 2024. PMID 39598647. (abstract)
- Jeon YH, Seo G, Im CH et al.. Prevalence of Immediate-Type Food Allergy and Food-Induced Anaphylaxis in Korean Schoolchildren.. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2026. PMID 42223040. DOI 10.4168/aair.2026.18.3.428. (abstract)
- Jeong YY, Park HS, Choi JH et al.. Two cases of anaphylaxis caused by perilla seed.. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006. PMID 16751022. (citation-only)
- Jeong K, Lee SY, Jeon SA et al.. Clinical and Immunological Characterization of Perilla Seed Allergy in Children.. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2023. PMID 34643183. DOI 10.18176/jiaci.0756. (abstract)
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- Jung S et al.. Occupational asthma caused by inhaling smoke from roasting perilla seeds.. Allergy Asthma Respir Dis. 2013. (summary-only)
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Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Raw or roasted, and salted or unsalted
- A best-by date, since nuts and seeds turn rancid
- Tree nut and peanut allergy warnings
- A resealable bag, and cool storage once opened
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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