Zi Su Geng (紫苏梗) is the stem of perilla, recorded as Caulis Perillae. It is acrid and sweet in flavour, slightly warm, and enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that regulate Qi.

Pinyin

zi su geng

Chinese

紫苏梗

Latin Name

Caulis Perillae

English Name

Perilla Stem

Japanese

shisoko

Korean

jasogyeong

Actions and indications

Moves Qi, harmonises the Middle Jiao, opens the chest and loosens the diaphragm

Stagnant Qi of the chest and abdomen: focal distension or a stifled feeling, sometimes extending to rib-side distension and pain
Tightness and stuffiness around the chest and diaphragm, along with nausea or poor appetite
Hiccup

Calms the fetus and stops nausea and vomiting

Morning sickness
Restless fetus from Qi stagnation
Fullness of the chest and epigastrium in pregnancy from stagnant Qi

Relieves toxicity

Food poisoning from fish and shellfish, acting more mildly than the leaf

Combinations

xiang fu

Liver attacking the Spleen with epigastric and abdominal fullness, distention and discomfort. Morning sickness

jie geng

Stagnant Lung Qi with cough, wheezing or a stifling feeling in the chest and diaphragm. Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with focal epigastric distention, no taste for food, nausea and reflux. Suitable for elderly, deficient or pregnant patients

du huo + cang zhu

Leg Qi.

bing lang

Leg Qi.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 4.5-9g; Do not cook long; Tincture; 2-4ml

4.5-9 g

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Cautions

caution Take care with long-term use

pregnancy Its traditional use to calm the fetus does not make it safe to self-prescribe; in pregnancy it belongs with a qualified practitioner, and the maternity team should be told

pregnancy In pregnancy, see a doctor or midwife promptly for bleeding, abdominal pain or altered fetal movement

caution Deficient Yin, or Heat, especially Heat with sweating or a dry, depleted presentation

caution Fetal restlessness from Blood deficiency, Heat or Kidney deficiency needs a different approach; the stalk treats only stagnant Qi

caution Known allergy to perilla or the mint family (Lamiaceae): avoid all parts of the plant; anaphylaxis to perilla seed has been reported

zi su geng

About zi su geng

Names

Classification