荏子 들깨 (임자, 들깨씨)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性溫, 味辛, 無毒.

   Its nature is warm, its taste pungent, and it is non-toxic. In traditional Korean medicine, a warm nature means the herb tends to invigorate circulation and dispel cold.

2. 下氣, 止嗽, 止渴, 潤肺, 補中, 塡精髓.

   It directs rebellious qi downward, stops coughing and thirst, moistens the lungs, tonifies the middle burner, and replenishes essence and marrow. In short, it soothes the respiratory tract and reinforces the body's deep reserves.

3. 人多種之, 取子硏之, 雜米作糜食之.

   People widely cultivate it, grinding the seeds and mixing them with rice to make porridge. Perilla porridge was one of the most familiar ways the seed entered the old Korean kitchen.

4. 甚肥美, 下氣, 補益人.

   It is richly oily and savory, descending qi while nourishing and benefiting the body. The very richness of its flavor was seen as a tonic that fortifies the constitution.

5. 笮取油, 日煎之, 卽今油帛及和漆所用者.

   The seeds are pressed for oil and sun-rendered; this is the very perilla oil used today in oil-treated cloth and mixed with lacquer. The record notes it served not only as food but also as a waterproofing and lacquer medium.

6. 荏子欲熟, 採其角食之, 甚香美.

   Just before the seeds fully ripen, the green pods are picked and eaten, yielding a deeply fragrant and delicious taste. It reflects the old custom of enjoying the half-ripe pods straight from the field.

7. 속소리《本草》

   Its native Korean name is 'soksori,' and the foregoing is drawn from the Bencao (Materia Medica).

8. 葉

   What follows concerns the leaves of perilla.

9. 調中, 去臭氣.

   It harmonizes the middle burner and dispels foul odors. This explains the long-standing habit of pairing perilla leaves with strong-smelling or fishy dishes.

10. 治上氣咳嗽.

    It treats upward-surging qi and coughing. Like the seeds, the leaves were used to calm the respiratory tract.

11. 搗付諸蟲咬, 男子陰腫.

    Pounded and applied externally, it treats all manner of insect bites and swelling of the male genitals. This shows that perilla leaf also served as a topical poultice.

12. 《本草》

    The above is drawn from the Bencao (Materia Medica).