Objective The main aim of the study was to observe whether treatment with high pressure dry heat air (HPDH) was able to sterilize the powder of Perilla frutescens and promote its components digestion comparing to treatment with high pressure moist heat air(HPMH) or with atmospheric heat air. Methods The powder of Perilla frutescens was processed with HPMH, HPDH, or with atmospheric heat air at 110 ℃ or 121 ℃ for 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. Sterilized water (5 mL ) was added to the treated powder (0.4 g), and shaken for 6 h. The supernate of the mixture were obtained and kept at 4 ℃ for 2 h. The microbes and the absorption spectrum of dissolved substances in the supernate were detected. Results The sterilization effect of HPDH was slightly less powerful than that of HPMH, while more powerful than atmospheric heat air. HPDH at 110 ℃ for 30 min or at 121 ℃ for 15 min were able to sterilize the powder. Heat treatments were able to increase the absorption from 230 nm to 370 nm, and HPDH at 110 ℃ for 15 min achieved the best effect. Conclusion HPDH treatment was a feasible method for substance sterilization and drug processing.