味辛，温，无毒。主咳逆，下气，温中，补体。
叶 主调中，去臭气。九月采，阴干。
陶隐居云∶荏状如苏，高硕白色，不甚香。其子研之，杂米作糜，甚肥美，下气，补益。
东
人呼为KT （音鱼），以其似苏字，但除禾边故也。笮其子作油，日煎之，即今油帛及和漆
所用
者，服食断谷亦用之，名为重油。唐本注云∶《别录》荏叶，人常生食，其子故不及苏也。
今按陈藏本草云∶荏叶，捣敷虫咬及男子阴肿。江东以荏子为油，北土以大麻为油，此二
油俱堪油物，若其和漆，荏者为强尔。臣禹锡等谨按孟诜云∶荏子，其叶性温。用时捣之。
治男子阴肿，生捣和醋封之。女人绵裹内，三、四易。萧炳云∶又有大荏，形似野荏高硕，
叶
大小荏一倍，不堪食。人收其子，以充油绢帛，与大麻子同。其小荏子欲熟，人采其角食之
，甚香美。大荏叶不堪食。日华子云∶荏，调气，润心肺，长肌肤，益颜色，消宿食，止上
气咳嗽，去狐臭，敷蛇咬。子，下气，止嗽，补中，填精髓。
食疗∶主咳逆下气。其叶杵之，治男子阴肿。谨按子，压作油用，亦少破气，多食发心
闷。
温。补中益气，通血脉，填精髓。可蒸令熟，烈晒干之，当口开。春取米食之，亦可休粮。
生食，止渴润肺。梅师方∶治虺中人。以荏叶烂杵，猪脂和，薄敷上。
[Ren Zi (Perilla Seed)]
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi, directs Qi downward, warms the Middle Jiao, and tonifies the body.
[Leaf]
Primarily regulates the Middle Jiao and eliminates foul odors. Harvested in the ninth lunar month, dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing stated: Ren resembles Su (Perilla Fructus/Leaf), with tall and robust plants that are not very fragrant. When its seeds are ground and mixed with rice to make porridge, it is very nourishing and delicious, directing Qi downward and providing tonification.
People in the East call it "KT" (pronounced like 'Yu'), because its character resembles 'Su', except for the removal of the 'Grain' radical. Pressing its seeds yields oil; after sun-drying and boiling, it becomes the oil used today for coating silk fabrics and mixing with lacquer. It is also used in dietary regimens for grain avoidance (Bigu), known as heavy oil. The Tang Bencao annotation notes: The Bie Lu records that people often eat Ren leaves raw, so its seeds were considered inferior to those of Su.
Current examination of Chen Cangqi's Bencao states: Ren leaves, when crushed and applied externally, treat insect bites and swelling of the male genitals. In the Jiangdong region, oil is pressed from Ren seeds, while in the northern regions, hemp seeds are used. Both oils are suitable for coating items; however, if used for mixing lacquer, Ren oil is stronger. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to Meng Shen, state: Ren seeds have leaves that are warm in nature. They should be crushed when used. To treat male genital swelling, crush fresh leaves and apply with vinegar. For women, wrap in cotton and insert internally, changing every three or four times. Xiao Bing states: There is also a type called Da Ren (Large Perilla), which resembles wild Ren but is taller and has leaves twice the size of small Ren; it is inedible. People collect its seeds to impregnate silk fabrics, similar to hemp seeds. When small Ren seeds are nearly ripe, people harvest the pods to eat, which are very fragrant and delicious. The leaves of Da Ren are inedible. Ri Hua Zi states: Ren regulates Qi, moistens the Heart and Lungs, promotes skin growth, improves complexion, resolves stagnant food, stops cough due to rebellious Qi, eliminates fox odor, and treats snake bites. Seeds direct Qi downward, stop cough, tonify the Middle, and fill the essence and marrow.
Dietary Therapy: Primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi and directs Qi downward. Crushed leaves treat male genital swelling. Note: The seed oil has a slight Qi-dispersing effect; excessive consumption may cause chest stuffiness.
(Warm) Tonifies the Middle and benefits Qi, unblocks blood vessels, and fills the essence and marrow. It can be steamed until cooked, then dried under strong sun, and chewed directly. Consuming it with rice in spring can also serve for grain avoidance. Eating raw stops thirst and moistens the lungs. Master Mei's Formula: Treats viper bites. Crush Ren leaves into a paste, mix with lard, and apply thinly to the wound.