ABSTRACT
Perilla is a strongly aromatic annual plant which belongs to the Labiatae and has a square stem with decussate leaves. It is native to Asia. As a garden escapee, it has become widely distributed in some areas of the U.S. 31 Two types of Perilla can be distinguished: the red-leaved varieties grown as ornamentals for their colorful foliage, and the green-leaved ones. The latter produce valuable seed oil which is used as drying oil for paints and lacquers. Perilla plants are poisonous due to the presence of perilla ketone and other 3-substituted furans which cause acute emphysema in laboratory animals. 31 It has therefore been suggested 31 that the use of Perilla in oriental foods and medicines poses a potential health hazard to humans.
