Jujube Tree Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (= Z. vulgaris Lam.)
Family: Rhamnaceae.
Other Names: Chinese date; French jujube; jujubier (French); Jujube, Brustbeerbaum (German); giuggiolo comune (Italian).
Description: A spiny shrub or small tree of up to 6 m in height. It has glossy, three-nerved leaves, inconspicuous yellowish green flowers and oval, reddish brown, edible fruit. Each fruit has a narrowly oblong stone (pip) surrounded by a layer of tasty fruit flesh.
Origin: Southeastern Europe to China; widely cultivated in the warmer parts of Europe and Asia.
Uses and Properties: The delicious and highly nutritious fruits (Chinese dates or da zao) are used as a functional food and tonic, to improve general health, to gain weight and to help support symptoms of disorders of the upper respiratory tract. The seeds can be used to help support nervous complaints and insomnia.
Preparation and Dosage: No data could be found.
Active Ingredients:Ziziphus species are known for accumulating an unusual type of alkaloid usually referred to as peptide alkaloids. Frangufoline (also known as sanjoinine A) occurs in seeds of Z. jujuba. The fruit (without the seed) of Chinese date also contain tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids and mucilage.
Health Effects: The sedative and hypnotic effects of the seeds of Z. jujuba can be ascribed to the peptide alkaloids. The main compound, frangufoline, is known to have a strong sedative effect. The mucilage can help to reduce cough-inducing irritations of the throat (leading to cough) by forming; a protective layer over mucosal tissues. The saponins are secretolytic. Some studies suggested that the fruit helps to strengthen the immune system and to increase endurance. In a human study it was found that Chinese date improved liver function in people with liver ailments.
Notes: Other species of Ziziphus that are used traditionally include Z. spinosa and Z. mucronata. Seeds of Z. spinosa (known as suan zau ren) are used in China for insomnia and other nervous complaints, In Africa, the leaves and bark of Z. mucronata (buffalo thorn) is commonly used traditionally. It is applied to boils and infected wounds, not only as a supportive but also for its sedative effects.
Status: Traditional health.
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
More Photographs - Jujube (Ziziphus, Chinese date) Fruit - 450 mg
End of More Photographs - Jujube (Ziziphus, Chinese date) Fruit - 450 mg
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. Information provided at ZooScape.com relies partly on Traditional Uses. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
