Perilla ketone: a potent lung toxin from the mint plant, Perilla frutescens Britton.

Perilla ketone, from the essential oil of Perilla frutescens, is a potent pulmonary edemagenic agent for laboratory animals and livestock. This finding would account for reported effects of the plant on grazing cattle. The use of perilla in oriental foods and medicinal preparations suggests possible hazards to human health as well.