Perilla oil

Chemical properties

Perilla is an annual herbaceous plant native to Asia. There are two main types of perilla: red perilla and green leaf perilla or oba. Both types are commonly called shiso.
Perilla leaf oil is pepared by steam distillation and has a stimulating, fresh, aromatic, greenish odor (perilla-like, picked ume-like). The major component in 29 of 36 perilla leaf samples was perillaldehyde, while in other leaf samples, the major components were reported as dillapiol, elsholtziaketone or perillaketone.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Perilla frutescens, Labiatae.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Low toxicity by skin contact. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors.