This aromatic mint relative is a culinary staple in Asia but a toxic pest elsewhere.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Perilla frutescens is a versatile annual prized across Asia for its nutty seeds and fragrant leaves. While it flavors everything from Korean kimchi to Indian chutneys, the plant takes on a darker identity in the United States, where it is classified as an invasive weed that can prove fatal to grazing livestock.

Native to the highlands of India and Southeast Asia, Perilla frutescens belongs to the Lamiaceae family, sharing a lineage with common mint. The plant is easily identified by its square, hairy stalks and broad, serrated leaves that emit a distinct aroma, primarily driven by the volatile compound perilla ketone. While humans have cultivated the plant for centuries—with evidence of widespread use in Korea dating back to before the Unified Silla era—its chemical profile is a double-edged sword. In the United States, the same ketones that give the plant its characteristic scent cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, or 'panting disease,' in horses and cattle that ingest it.

Despite its reputation as a pest in North America, the plant is a cornerstone of diverse culinary traditions. In Korea, the seeds are pressed into a rich oil or ground into a nutty powder used in soups, noodle dishes, and even desserts like ice cream. In India and Nepal, the seeds are frequently roasted and ground with salt and chilis to create savory chutneys. The plant's versatility extends to its varieties: the crispa variety, known as shiso, is favored in Japan for its milder scent and vibrant, often purple-hued leaves, while the frutescens variety is prized for its oil-rich seeds, which contain up to 45% lipids.

The plant's historical utility goes beyond the kitchen. Before modern lighting, the oil pressed from perilla seeds was a common fuel for lamps, a trade so established that the 16th-century warlord Saitō Dōsan was reportedly once a merchant of the substance. Today, the plant remains a subject of scientific interest, with researchers sequencing the genome of a dark-leaved variety in 2022 to better understand its domestication. Whether viewed as an invasive threat or a nutritional powerhouse rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, Perilla frutescens remains a fascinating example of how a single species can be perceived and utilized in radically different ways across the globe.

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