Have you ever heard of perilla seed extract? I certainly hadn’t until I started reading the research.  

It’s one you probably want to know about if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance.

When I started studying this interesting herb, I could see how it might be helpful. Especially with the problems I was struggling with due to my histamine and mast cell issues.

Now, perilla extract is part of my daily routine. And a supplement I often suggest my clients start with! 

There are some amazing supplements that can support people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Histamine Intolerance (HIT).  

In this post you will learn: 

• What perilla extract is and why you may consider taking it 
• Why you may need layers of supplements with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 
• What you should consider when buying any supplement 
• A list of ingredients to watch out for when you have MCAS 
• My 2 favorite perilla seed extracts 
• Where you can learn more about supplements that are mast cell supportive  

First, let’s look at perilla extract and why it is one of my favorite supplements for MCAS or HIT. 

It’s important you know that this blog post is for informational and educational purposes. It’s not meant to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone.  If you have any medical condition, it is critical you work under the care and guidance of a licensed medical provider.     

What is Perilla Seed Extract? 

Perilla is a plant that has been around for a very long time. And while it’s not as commonly known in the USA, it is a very common herb used in many Asian countries—like Korea, Japan Thailand, and Vietnam—for cooking and health. 

When I was in Korea, they often used perilla leaves as a culinary herb in main dishes and garnish for soups. Perilla leaves have a bright, slightly bitter flavor that some compare to basil or mint.

The leaves, seeds, and oil are all edible.   

Perilla is also called zi su, shiso, or Japanese basil, amongst other names and has been used for centuries in Japan and China. And it is still used frequently in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Perilla seed oil is one of the highest oils in Omega 3. It is used for cooking. 

But perilla seed extract is a bit different from perilla seed oil. For mast cell stabilizing support, the perilla seed extract is what you want. 

This herb contains polyphenols (nutrients found in plants). And perilla seed extract is high in flavonoids (a type of polyphenol) like apigenin, luteolin, and rosmarinic acid.  

A review of the studies on perilla extract shows these potential helpful effects: 

• Reductions in histamine and the mast cell cytokine TNF-a 
• Inhibiting inflammation from arachidonic acid – an inflammation causing fatty acid 
• Reductions in skin allergic reactions
• Improvements in respiratory symptoms 
• Improvements in immune function 

If you have any of these, you may want to consider perilla seed extract: 

• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) 
• Histamine Intolerance (HIT) 
• Mold Toxicity 
• Allergy symptoms 
• Respiratory symptoms 
• Food sensitivities 
• NOX genetic variants 

Keep reading to learn why you may need to layer in more than one type of mast cell support with MCAS. 

Perilla Extract and Other Supplements: Why You May Need Different Types of Mast Cell Supports if You Have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance 

With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance, clients often do better when they have a variety of supports on board. 

Most people need more than 1 support because the mast cells have hundreds of receptors on their surfaces.  

Here is a great diagram of some types of mast cell receptors. 

When mast cells are overactive, these receptors can become overly sensitive. So sometimes reducing that sensitivity can help. 

Also, mast cells can produce over a thousand different mediators.

Here is just a small selection: 

• Amines 
  • Histamine 
  • Polyamines 
• Proteoglycans 
  • Heparin 
  • Chondroitin sulfates 
  • Serglycin 
• Lysosomal enzymes 
  • β-Glucuronidase 
  • β-Hexosaminidase 
• Proteases 
• Tryptases 
  • Chymase-1 
  • Cathepsin G 
  • Granzyme B 
  • Carboxypeptidase A3 
• Serotonin 
• Leukotrienes 
• Prostaglandins 
• PDGF 
• Cytokines 
  • TNFα 
  • TGF-β1 
  • IFNγ 
  • βFGF 
  • Interleukins 
  • Chemokines 
  • SCF 
  • VEGF 
• Substance P 

As you can probably imagine, this is why there isn’t a single supplement for Mast Cell Activation or Histamine Intolerance.  

The ‘best’ supplements are often about finding the right combo for the right person. Then these supplements can work in synergy (together) with each other. 

So, finding the right supplements is important. But it’s important to get good, high-quality supplements, too! 

Let’s take a look at what you want to watch for when buying supplements and how to avoid some of the problems next. 

What to Know about Sourcing Perilla Seed Extract and Other Supplements  

One of the most important things to know about dietary supplements is to be sure to use a high-quality brand from a reputable supplier. 

It can be tricky, just reading the label to see if it’s non-gmo or gluten free isn’t enough.

These are the 4 things you want to consider when looking for supplements.

1. Ingredients to Watch Out For with MCAS 

Now, someone with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome can react to anything. So, there isn’t 1 list that fits everybody. 

But there are many fillers and ingredients that are known to trigger mast cells and release histamine.

This is more common in lower quality brand formulations. But even some pharmaceutical grade brands have potential triggers.

This is why I check the ingredients very carefully. 

With MCAS you might want to watch out for these ingredients: 

• Artificial colors  
• Artificial flavors  
• Corn starch  
• Dyes 
• Titanium Dioxide 
• Potassium Sorbate  
• Sodium Benzoate 
• Citric Acid  
• Citrates 
• Sodium Triphosphate  
• Potassium Triphosphate 
• Talc 
• Ascorbic Acid 
• Ascorbyl Palmitate 

Not everyone will have a problem with all of those.

But, in general, those are things that are often issues for those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. And you may want to pay attention to them if you have MCAS.

Buying high quality supplements doesn’t just mean better ingredients, though! It can also mean they are more consistent. Let’s talk about that.

2. Lower Quality Supplements May Not Be Consistent 

Many lower quality supplements don’t have good quality testing.  

This can mean that you can have very little of the active ingredient in one capsule. And then 10x the active ingredient in the next capsule. 

As you can imagine, that’s not good! So, make sure you are buying from reputable companies. 

You’ll also want to make sure the supplements you buy are stored right. 

3. Climate Control Issues with Supplements 

Places like Amazon and Vitacost don’t have climate control. I’ve talked with people who worked in their warehouses.  

The supplements can sit in 100 to 120 degree temperatures for several weeks.  

And that can degrade the quality of some supplements. Which may mean it doesn’t work like it should. Or it can mean it causes reactions. 

Climate control is an important factor to look for in supplement suppliers.  

Now you know 3 things to watch out for when buying supplements. Let’s look at the last one—counterfeits.  

4. Counterfeit Supplements 

There is a major issue right now with supplement counterfeiting, especially on Amazon. 

This can mean the supplement label may look just like you expect. Except the contents of the capsules aren’t the supplement you are buying. Or worse, the contents may even be something toxic. 

All of the reasons above are why I’m very careful about getting supplements from reputable suppliers. Like my 2 favorite perilla extract supplements below. 

Onboarding Perilla Extract and Other Supplements with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance 

How you start supplements with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome can make a big difference. Let’s take a quick look at that. 

It’s important you know that this blog post is for informational and educational purposes. It’s not meant to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone.  If you have any medical condition, it is critical you work under the care and guidance of a licensed medical provider.     

Starting Supplements Like Perilla Extract When You Have MCAS

I always recommend my clients start any new supplements with a very small amount and increase slowly. Sprinkles and drops. 

For perilla seed extract, many people work up from sprinkles to 1 tablet or 1 capsule about 30 minutes before each meal. This can support the mast cells in the gut. 

A very small number of people can’t take supplements on an empty stomach, though. In this case, taking perilla seed extract with each meal is an option. 

If you want to know more about onboarding supplements slowly, you can watch my Facebook Live here:

Who Should NOT take Perilla Seed Extract? 

While perilla seed extract is generally well tolerated even with my sensitive clients, there are some who don’t do well with it.

People with these issues may not do well with perilla extract: 

• Salicylate Intolerance (may not tolerate most herbs) 
• Inability to tolerate any supplements 
• Allergies to mint family plants 

If you don’t have those issues, then you may want to consider perilla seed extract like these high-quality options below.

My Favorite Perilla Seed Extracts 

I’ve tried a lot of different supplements working to heal my own Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance. Including many types of perilla seed extract.

These 2 are my favorites:

And if you want even more information about the supplements I use most, including perilla extract, I have something for you! 

Perilla Seed Extract and Other Supplements: Where to Get More Information if You Have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance 

As much as I would like to work with everyone, I know I can’t. I am only 1 person. 

So, I put together a class based on what I use in my clinic called the Top 8 Mast Cell Supporting Supplements Master Class.

This class is for people who aren’t sure where to start with supplements. Or if you have been trying supplements but having trouble with them. 

I packed a ton of information into this class for you.  

Here are the highlights: 

• Top 8 Mast Cell Supporting Supplements that your practitioner doesn’t even know about 
• How to know whether these supplements can work for you 
• What order to introduce these supplements in 
• The first things you need to know about MCAS 
• What supplements to NOT take if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 
• How to Introduce supplements the RIGHT way for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 
• Troubleshooting supplement sensitivities 
• The top 7 things to do right away (including supplements and more) during a reaction or flare 
• What to do if you are still having symptoms 

You can learn more about all of this in my Top 8 Mast Cell Supporting Supplements Master Class 

Did you learn something new about perilla seed extract or other supplements? Let me know in the comments.

Some links in this website are affiliate links, which means Mast Cell 360 may make a very small commission if you purchase through the link. It never costs you any more to purchase through the links, and we try to find the best deals we can. We only recommend products that we love and use personally or use in the Mast Cell 360 practice. Any commissions help support the newsletter, website, and ongoing research so Mast Cell 360 can continue to offer you free tips, recipes, and info. Thank you for your support! 

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