Perilla Pearls

Perilla Pearls

Western Medical Indications: sore throat, unproductive cough, mild wheezing, swollen glands
fatigue, viral malaise, heavy chest, phlegm in the chest

Chinese Medicine Actions: Releases the surface when there are combined symptoms of wind heat and wind cold. Assists in transforming heat phlegm, descends upright qi and reduces swelling

Perilla Pearls from Classical Pearls has easily become one of my favorites to support patients through cold and flu season. It has shown to be very beneficial in reducing acute symptoms and supporting quick and thorough recovery from infection. Its important to note that herbalists trained in Chinese Medicine carefully evaluate the patients symptoms, tongue, pulse and constitution before prescribing herbs. There is not simply a “common cold” or “immune boosting” formula for example. There are hundreds of herbs and thousands of herbal formula combinations in Chinese Medicine. We take our time to personalize prescriptions to provide safe and effective treatment for both acute and chronic conditions.

The Perilla Pearls formula is made up of herbs from Suzi Lihou Tang and Xiao Xian Xiong Tang. The combination of these classical formulas provides us with a safer remedy to address a wide range of acute cold conditions more suitable for modern bodies. Because the formula is well balanced, there is a lower risk of side effects. I have used this formula for myself, my family and of course my patients in combination with other therapies to effectively treat a wide range of acute infections. Utilizing herbal therapy at the onset of infection can often reduce the severity and length of an infection without harmful side effects. It can also help reduce the likelihood of post viral syndromes.

I’ve found this formula especially appropriate for common colds that begin with a sore throat. Many practitioners tend to reach for Yin Qiao San but often this formula can be too dispersing and cool for modern (yang) deficient bodies which can depleat certain patients. As always, it is important to consult with a trained TCM herbalist before taking herbs.  

Below I have highlighted the herbs included in Perilla Pearls with a brief (very brief) note on their actions.

Ingredients:
Zi Su Zi - Perilla seed- descends Qi, addresses cough
Qian Hu - Hog fennel root - addresses phlegm in the lung, especially yellow or green phlegm
Xing Ren - Apricot seed - address cough, wheezing and constipation
Jie Geng - Balloon flower root - supports the lung and the throat
Zhe Bei Mu - Fritillaria bulb -stops coughing, breaks up swelling in the neck
Xuan Shen- Figwort root - clears heat, reduces throat pain
Bo He - Peppermint - disperses wind heat, reduces rashes
Lian Qiao - Forsythia fruit - clear wind heat, reduces fever and sore throat 
Gan Cao - Licorice - moisten lung, stops cough
Gua Lou  - Snakegourd fruit - clears lung heat, unbinds the chest
Ban Xia - Pinellia, lime cured - dries dampness, reduces phlegm in the chest, descends Qi
Huang Qin - Skullcap root - clears damp heat, drain fire in lung