Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus
Ziziphus jujuba
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: China, South Asia
Also known as: Jujube, Chinese Date, Red Date, Da Zao
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FruitSeed
Therapeutic Uses
Insomnia, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, palpitations, sweating disorders, immune support, liver protection. Da Zao (dried fruit) central tonic herb in TCM formulas. Suanzaoren (seed) specific for insomnia.
Herbal Actions
Sedative, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, immunomodulator, hepatoprotective, tonic
Active Constituents
Cyclopeptide alkaloids (zizyphine, nummularine), saponins (jujubosides), polysaccharides, flavonoids (quercetin, rutin), vitamins C and B, cyclic AMP
Preparation Methods
🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 6–15 dried fruits simmered 30 min in 500ml, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml seed tincture (1:5, 40% ethanol), at night |
| Notes | Fruit for general tonic and immune support. Seed (Suan Zao Ren) for insomnia and anxiety — 10–20g simmered 45 min. Suanzaoren Tang formula highly clinically studied for insomnia. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Fruit: generally very safe. Seed: caution with CNS depressants. Avoid with antihypertensives.
Side Effects: Mild GI upset. Sedation (seed). Very well tolerated generally.