Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (syn. Perilla nankinensis (Lour.) Decne., etc.) is a cultivated plant of the mint family Lamiaceae. It is the species identification encompassing two distinct varieties of traditional crop in East Asia: P. frutescens var. crispa, the aromatic leafy herb called by its Japanese name shiso. P. frutescens var. frutescens or var. japonica, the oilseed crop, source of perilla oil and a common food ingredient in Korean cuisine, both as "wild sesame" in seed form, and as "sesame leaves". It has been noted that the wild sesame grows taller (60~150 cm) and yield larger softer seeds, while the shiso are shorter (40~100 cm) and produce harder smaller grains of seed.
The leaves of Perilla frutescens Britton (Labiatae) are one of the most popular garnishes in Japan, used as an antidote for fi sh and crab meat allergy or as a food colorant. Perilla frutescens Britton (perilla, Labiatae) is a medicinal herb prescribed in Saiboku-to [Japanese letters: see text], which is a Kampo formula effective for allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma.