Perilla seed oil
Virgin perilla seed oil
Perilla oil is obtained from the seeds of herbs of the genus Perilla, usually from the species Perilla frutescens(of the family lamiaceae) . The seeds contain 35 to 45 percent oil which is obtained by pressing.
Health Benefits of Perilla seed Oil
- Omega-3 (as alpha-linolenic acid) being in the 54-65% range and Omega-6 (as linoleic acid) in the 14-20%.
A Source of Heart-Healthy Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
It is sought after as a dietary supplement since, among vegetable sources of oil, perilla contains the highest proportion of omega-3 fatty acids relative to omega-6 fatty acids with omega-3 (as alpha-linolenic acid) being in the 54-65% range and omega-6 (as linoleic acid) being in the 14-20% range. This is the same fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid; ALA) which comprises the omega-3 profile of other plant products such as flaxseed oil (55% ALA), Salvia hispanica (Chia), borage oil, and walnuts but not animal based Fish Oil products.
- Rosmarinic Acid
(Also known as Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rosemary Extract, Perilla Frutescens extract. Perilla Extract)
Rosmarinic acid is a polyphenol similar to caffeic acid (found in coffee) and is in high levels in Perilla oil and Rosemary, from which it draws its name. It is a general anti-oxidant and health compound, and seen as ‘healthy’.
Rosmarinic acid is a plant-based compound found in a wide variety of spices, but most well known for being the active ingredient in Rosemary and Perilla Oil.
It displays anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and may protect against various forms of cancers. Additionally, it can be absorbed through the skin when in an ethanol base (typically perillyl alcohol).
Perilla oil is, by composition, 50-60% alpha-linolenic acid. Perilla oil and ALA, there are more and more studies report that a diet rich in ALA may be helpful in preventing heart disease, strokes, and arthritis, and that perilla oil may help reduce the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, colitis, obesity, and asthma.
Perilla is also used for nausea, sunstroke, inducing sweating, and to reduce muscle spasms.
Other Health Benefits of virgin perilla oil
Colitis
A study with laboratory animals suggests that perilla oil may reduce the damage to the colon seen with colitis, and may do so more effectively than either EPA or DHA.17
Asthma
A study published in 2000 compared the effects of perilla seed oil supplements to corn oil supplements in a small group of people with asthma.18 The results indicate that perilla oil suppresses certain biochemical substances associated with the disease and “is useful for the treatment of asthma.”
Breast cancer
Animal and human studies suggest that ALA may be useful in the battle against breast cancer.19 French researchers compared breast tissue samples taken from 241 women with breast cancer to those of 88 patients with benign breast disease.20 They found that those with greater amounts of ALA in their breast tissue had the lowest risk of having the cancer. Relatively large amounts of DHA also had a protective effect.
Weight control
Japanese researchers compared the effects of dietary perilla oil, safflower oil, olive oil, and beef tallow in laboratory rats.21 They found that perilla oil helped prevent the excessive growth of fatty tissue.
(Source: Life extension magazine)
