Perilla extract is a wonderful immune modulator perfect for the treatment of airborne and food allergies as well as asthma, eczema and even arthritis. In clinical studies, scientists found that perilla extract can affect many essential components of the immune system including:
Suppress T helper Th2-type cytokine production, particularly interleukins 4, 5, 6, and 10 reducing inflammation
Encourage Th1-type cytokines reducing the allergic response
Suppress IgE production reducing the immediate allergic response
Inhibit the overproduction of TNF-alpha reducing inflammation and allergies
Inhibit histamine release from mast cells responsible for allergic symptoms – a natural anti-histamine effect.
Inhibit the breakdown of arachidonic acid into inflammatory leukotrienes
Perilla extract seems to cover nearly all the “immune bases”. Individually, each of these effects can have a major impact on the cycle of allergic response. All together, they represent a powerful tool to fight allergies and restore healthy Th1/Th2 balance.
Perilla contains many bioactive phytochemicals, including luteolin, rosmarinic acid, chrysocriol, apigenin-diglucuronide, and caffeic acid. But scientists believe that luteolin and rosmarinic acid are the two components that contribute most heavily to perilla’s anti-allergy effects. However, in studies designed to isolate the active ingredients, neither luteolin nor rosmarinic acid alone was as potent as perilla. That suggests that a variety of natural elements in perilla, including luteolin and rosmarinic acid, contribute to its effects. The recommended dose of 100 mg. twice daily can be doubled if symptoms are severe.