| a light yellow oil, obtained from the seeds of mints of the genus Perilla, used in the Orient as a cooking oil and elsewhere in the manufacture of varnish, printing ink, and artificial leather. |
perilla oil
drying oil obtained from the seeds of Asiatic mint plants of the genus Perilla. Perilla oil is used along with synthetic resins in the production of varnishes. Perilla oil dries in less time than linseed oil and on drying forms a film that is harder and yellows more than that formed by linseed oil. The paint and varnish industry accounts for the largest usage. Perilla oil also is important in the manufacture of printing inks and linoleum. In the Orient perilla oil is used as an edible oil. Perilla has been cultivated in China, Korea, Japan, and northern India. The seeds contain 35 to 45 percent oil
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