The water made from the leaves of Perilla frutescens—commonly called lá tía tô in Vietnamese—has been valued for centuries in East Asia both as a culinary herb and as a medicinal plant. Because timing can influence how well the body absorbs nutrients and how it uses them, choosing when to drink perilla tea can make a meaningful difference. Below are three key time-windows that are often overlooked, along with what research says about the herb’s benefits and important precautions.

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Why Perilla Leaf Tea Has Benefits

Before diving into the best times to drink, it’s helpful to understand what perilla leaf contains and why it may be good for you.

• Perilla leaves and their extracts are rich in active phytochemicals—including rosmarinic acid, flavonoids (like luteolin and quercetin), essential fatty acids, and volatile oils. Nature+3biomedpharmajournal.org+3MDPI+3

• Preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies show that perilla may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergy and even anticancer potential. PMC+2MDPI+2

• Some smaller human studies suggest benefits for gastrointestinal discomfort (such as bloating, fullness) when a standardized perilla extract was used over several weeks. PMC+1

• From the Vietnamese health-writing side, drinking perilla “juice” (i.e., brewed leaf water) is promoted for cardiovascular support (helping stabilize blood pressure, protect the heart), nerve and vision health via DHA supplementation, and improving skin and digestion. vietnam.vn+1

However, it is important to emphasize:

“Various preparations and dosing regimens have been studied … clinical trial data are lacking to recommend use of perilla for any indication.” Drugs.com

So while the herb is promising, the evidence for when and how much to drink is still based mostly on traditional use or small studies.

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Three Best Times to Drink Perilla Leaf Tea

Here are three ideal time-windows when drinking perilla leaf tea may be more beneficial—based on both traditional recommendations and some supportive observations.

1. 15-30 minutes before breakfast

Drinking perilla tea before your first meal of the day is thought to offer several advantages:

• Your stomach is relatively empty, which may allow better absorption of the beneficial compounds in the tea.

• It may help stimulate digestion, promote metabolism and potentially assist in managing body-weight or fat burning (as suggested by some Vietnamese sources). vietnam.vn+1

• Starting the day with a warm herbal drink such as perilla may also gently awaken your digestive system and provide hydration.

2. 10-20 minutes before each of the two main meals (lunch & dinner)

According to some Vietnamese-language recommendations, 10-20 minutes before the main meals is an optimal window. vietnam.vn The logic:

• Drinking herbal water before a meal may slightly reduce the impulsive overeating by creating a mild sense of fullness, and may help the body process the upcoming nutrient load more efficiently.

• If the tea supports metabolism or fat-oxidation (as some traditional claims suggest), then placing it just before the major meals may give it the best “entry point” into the body’s digestive and metabolic processes.

• Practically, this would mean: have a small cup of the brewed perilla leaf water about 10–20 minutes before lunch and again before dinner.

3. About 60 minutes before bedtime

Finally, another recommended window is around one hour before going to bed. vietnam.vn The reasoning includes:

• A warm, mild herbal drink before sleep can promote relaxation and support digestive processes during the overnight fasting period.

• It may help remove metabolic waste, support skin repair, and assist in “cooling” the body—consistent with traditional East-Asian herbal theory (where perilla is considered to have warming or mild “wind-cold dispelling” properties). acupuncturetoday.com+1

• If the tea does not contain caffeine (and perilla generally does not), then it is unlikely to disrupt sleep and may even help with mild digestive discomfort or evening wind-down.

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Preparation & Usage Tips

To make the most of perilla leaf tea, consider these best-practice steps:

• Use fresh leaves (or clean well-dried ones). Boil gently—some sources say about 2 minutes after the water has boiled, then remove from heat to preserve volatile oils. vietnam.vn

• Drink the prepared water while still warm or at comfortable temperature; avoid letting it sit too long (within 24 hours is recommended). vietnam.vn

• Do not use perilla leaf water as a full substitute for plain drinking water. It’s better used as an adjunct beverage. vietnam.vn

• Suggested limit: about 2–3 glasses (small cups) per day for healthy adults, divided across times. Exceeding this or prolonged heavy use may carry risk (see precautions below). vietnam.vn

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Precautions & Who Should Be Careful

While perilla leaf is generally considered safe for many people when used moderately, there are important caveats:

• Because clinical human-data are limited, you should treat it as a herbal adjunct, not a medical treatment. Drugs.com+1

• Some sources warn that too many glasses per day, long-term heavy use, or using it in place of plain water may lead to unwanted effects such as increased blood pressure or cardiovascular strain. vietnam.vn+1

• People experiencing symptoms like excessive sweating, heatstroke, pregnancy, very young children—these groups are often advised to avoid using perilla leaf water without professional guidance. vietnam.vn

• Allergic reactions: though rare, there are reports of dermatitis or other sensitivity responses. WebMD

• If you experience any negative effects (e.g., dizziness, rapid heartbeat, abdominal discomfort), discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

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Summary

In summary: drinking perilla leaf tea at three key times (before breakfast, before the major meals, and about an hour before bed) may help you maximise its potential benefits—such as improved digestion, gentle metabolism support, and body-system balance. The herb has a solid traditional usage basis and emerging scientific support for its biological activity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive support). At the same time, because strong human-clinical data are scarce, caution is wise: moderate usage, awareness of your body’s response, and not replacing plain water or medical care.