WILD
FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Shiso
SPECIES / FAMILY: Perilla Frutescens / Lamiaceae or Labiatae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Beefsteak Mint, Perilla
CONDITIONS:
sun-partial shade
|
PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
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):
- https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Perilla+frutescens
- http://www.eattheweeds.com/perilla
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiso (Lots of info on Shiso & good photos)
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Perilla_frutescens
- https://hillsborough-homesteading.com/wild-edibles-shiso
- https://bohemianvegankitchen.com/how-to-identify-perilla-leaves
- https://www.chopstickchronicles.com/shiso-juice
- https://cnz.to/ingredients-fine-foods/43-things-to-do-with-fresh-shiso
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-shiso-leaves-5112607