13 Amazing Benefits of Perilla Seed Oil

Perilla Seed Oil health benefits includes promoting healthy skin, treating hair and scalp problems, preventing cancerous cell growth, promoting normal respiratory health, promoting healthy heart, elevating mood and providing relief for digestive system disorder. Other benefits includes protecting the kidneys, improving brain function, treating allergies, fighting inflammation, providing relief from pain and regulating cholesterol levels.

What is Perilla Seed Oil?

Perilla seed oil is obtained via the roasting of the seeds of the Perilla frutescens plant. This plant is perennial and is native to Asia, being long used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase perspiration and provide relief from nausea.

It is today widely used for cooking as it contains a variety of nutritional compounds that will benefit the body. It is also popularly used in Korean cuisines as an ingredient in salad dressings and is presently extracted for the variety of health benefits it may offer to the human body.

Nutritional Value of Perilla Seed Oil

Here is a chart showing the nutritional value of perilla seed oil per 100 grams:

Nutrient	Amount per 100g
Calories	884 kcal
Water	0 g
Protein	0 g
Total Fat	100 g
Saturated Fat	6.6 g
Monounsaturated Fat	18.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	66.0 g
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	54.0 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids	12.0 g
Carbohydrates	0 g
Sugars	0 g
Dietary Fiber	0 g
Vitamin E	7.6 mg (51% DV)
Vitamin K	1.6 µg (1% DV)

Perilla seed oil is extremely high in fat, particularly polyunsaturated fats, and is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It contains a small amount of Vitamin E but no carbohydrates, protein, or fiber. This oil is highly valued for its health benefits due to the high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote heart health and reduce inflammation.

13 Amazing Benefits of Perilla Seed Oil

1. Promotes Healthy Skin

Perilla seed oil is rich in antioxidants that help the body to remove excess free radicals that can destroy the body’s cells and tissues, helping protect the skin from damage. When applied topically, after mixing with a suitable carrier oil, the Perilla seed oil can effectively get rid of acne, eczema, allergic reactions as well as minimizing the appearance of large pores, wrinkles and dark spots. It may also act to strengthen the skin and prevent unnecessary moisture loss from it.

2. Treats Hair And Scalp Problems

As an individual ages, the hair begins to grow thin and fragile and may even fall out since the hair follicles are now weak and unable to sustain the growth phase of hair. With the regular use of the Perilla seed oil, the hair follicles are activated, and may help to restart the growth of new hair. This oil may also be effective in treating itchy scalp, and allows easy passage of nutrients in order to enhance growth of hair.

3. Prevents Cancerous Cell Growth

Perilla seed oil possesses anticancer properties which assist in it effectively destroying the cells that rapidly divide to cause cancer. This property of Perilla seed oil is mainly due to its high antioxidant content that is able to prevent the action of oxidative stress on healthy cells, causing which causes them to become cancerous in the first place. It shows particular promise in helping to prevent the development of colon cancer, and causing apoptosis of small polyps that carry the potential to become cancerous.

4. Promotes Normal Respiratory Health

The cells of the body require oxygen continuously to survive and it is the function of the lungs to allow oxygen to reach these cells and remove carbon dioxide. Perilla seed oil improves the functions of the lungs and it may also be effective in the management and treatment of asthma. It may act by suppressing the production of substances that cause the respiratory system to function poorly, such as excess mucus and inflammatory mediators. Perilla seed oil can be used effectively as an inhalational agent to relieve congestion in the lungs and promote easier breathing.

5. Promotes Healthy Heart

It is important to take care of the heart since it is critically involved in our circulation; the process which helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. A malfunctioning heart will have an adverse effect on normal circulation and give rise to a variety of severe health complications. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in most parts of the world thus, it is important to reduce the risk of heart disease by making simple changes in lifestyle and using available naturally derived oils like the Perilla seed oil. This essential oil contains numerous constituents that work together to reduce the cholesterol levels, offering a form of protection to the heart and minimizing the chances of developing atherosclerotic disease.  Its circulatory boosting properties also help keep blood flowing the way it was meant to, preserving cellular health.

6. Elevates Mood

Depression is very common, and often flies under the radar, but can become severe and affect daily life if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can treat depression and anxiety, such as Perilla seed oil. Some of the constituents of the Perilla seed oil have been shown to be able to offer an elevation of mood and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Perilla seed oil may also be able to directly affect the nervous system and initiate calmness and happiness without causing negative side effects experienced with the use of synthetic medication such as prescription SSRIs.

7. Provides Relief For Digestive System Disorders

The stomach is important for chemical breakdown of food and in delivering its content to the small intestine. Along the journey, changes are high that something can go wrong. This can range from stomach ulceration, to chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine, such as that associated with Crohn’s disease. Perilla seed oil can reduce the severity of discomfort associated with these conditions, helping to reinforce the integrity of these mucosal cell linings.

8. Protects The Kidneys

The kidneys are responsible for water based waste removal from the body, making it very important to keep them healthy. The naturally obtained Perilla seed oil may be helpful in reducing oxidative stress and preventing chronic diseases from developing in the kidneys. It also possesses mild diuretic properties to ensure urine is removed in a timely manner, reducing the likelihood of renal stone development as well.

9. Improves Brain Function

Perilla seed oil may play a key role in optimal brain function and maintenance of the nervous system. It can protect the brain against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and exhibits restorative action on the nervous system as a whole. It may also be used for inducing calmness, reducing stress and anxiety especially when treating patients with depression and is also used for improving brain circulation.

10. Treats Allergies

Perilla seed oil possesses anti-histaminic actions when applied to the skin, or used inhalationally. It suppresses the recruitment of inflammatory cytokines and histamine, especially useful during allergy season or for those that suffer from year round hay fever.

11. Possesses Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Perilla seed oil has properties that may contribute to its effectiveness in treating rheumatoid arthritis, especially when used with other essential oils that also possess anti-inflammatory properties.  Thus, use of this essential oil is associated with improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and may even be a better choice for individuals in need of an anti-inflammatory medication since it can effectively assist with eliminating joint stiffness and inflammation, without the adverse effects of prescription corticosteroids, for example.

12. Provides Relief From Pain

Perilla seed oil may be as useful as a good pain reliever. It can help relieve most forms of pain when used for topically on the affected part. It also helps in relieving menstrual pain or pain from premenstrual syndrome by soothing and calming the affected area without causing unwanted adverse effects or further worsening the pain. Simply massage on the abdominal region for best results.

13. Regulates Cholesterol Levels

Perilla seed oil contains a good amount of constituents that may help remove excess cholesterol and encouraging its recycling in the liver hence, helping to optimize cholesterol levels. Regular use of this oil may increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) and lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body, and may also aid the prevention of cholesterol plaques on the inner walls of arteries and thus prevent high blood pressure and thromboembolic episodes.

Conclusion

Regular use of the Perilla seed oil comes with a good number of health benefits including its ability to lower cholesterol levels, promote brain function, and treat inflammatory diseases.

Precautions

As with most other essential oils, it should be diluted before use. Using in undiluted form is associated with skin irritation or contact dermatitis. Its usage for oral consumption should be verified with a medical specialist.