Perilla Frutescens 50/500 Seeds, Edible Shiso Vegetable Medicinal Beefsteak Herb

Perilla Frutescens
Also known as: Purple Perilla, beefsteak plant, Shiso

Here is a very attractive plant for just about anywhere, indoors or outdoors and attracts butterflies. It is a perennial herb that may be cultivated as an annual in temperate climates in the mint family. Native to E. Asia, and it is a traditional crop of China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other Asian countries. It was brought to the United States in the late 1800s by Asian immigrants. It has quickly naturalized and become a common plant seen in pastures and roadsides in the southeastern United States.
It is a very aromatic plant, with a strong minty smell. Growing up to 4 feet tall when in bloom, the stems are square, reddish-purple and branching. The leaves are large, up to 6 in. in diameter, petioled, opposite, ovate and serrate, edges ruffled or curly, dark green tinted red to purple (especially on the underside) and hairy.

This entire plant is edible and is very nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals. The leaves have a very pleasant sweet taste and are used as a spice, cooked as potherbs or fried, and combined with fish, rice, vegetables and soups. It is also chopped and combined with ginger root, then added to stir-fries, tempuras and salads in many Asian countries. The plant also supplies a nutritious cooking oil from the seed, as well as giving color and flavor to many pickled dishes. In the United States the essential oil of the plant is used as a food flavoring in candies and sauces.
There are many scientifically proven medicinal uses for Perilla. It has been used for centuries in Oriental medicine as an antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antidote, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emollient, expectorant, pectoral, restorative, stomachic and tonic.

The crushed plant also makes an effective insecticide! seed oil has been used in paints, varnishes, linoleum, printing ink, lacquers, and for protective waterproof coatings on cloth. Volatile oils of the plant are also used in aromatherapy and for perfume. The seed heads can be collected and dried for use in arrangements, potpourris and wreaths.
It prefers light to medium moist well-drained and rich soil in full sun.

Choose from 50 or 500 seeds.