Jujube

Scientific Name(s): Ziziphus zizyphus (L.) Karst.
Common Name(s): Annab, Ber, Chinese date, Daechu, Hei zao, Hongzao, Jujube, Natume, Red date, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Sour date, Suanzaoren

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 12, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

The seeds, fruit, and bark of jujube have been used in traditional medicine for anxiety and insomnia, and as an appetite stimulant or digestive aid. Experiments in animals support the presence of anxiolytic and sedative properties. However, evidence from epidemiologic and clinical studies is largely lacking.

Dosing

Information is lacking.

Contraindications

Information is lacking.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use of jujube bark preparations.

Interactions

An interaction with venlafaxine has been reported.

Adverse Reactions

Information is lacking.

Toxicology

Information is lacking.

Scientific Family

• Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn)

Botany

Z. zizyphus is a small deciduous tree or shrub with thorny branches that grows 5 to 10 m tall. It is native to many parts of Asia, requiring hot summers and sufficient water for fruiting; however, the plant can tolerate colder temperatures and can survive in desert habitats. It has 2 to 7 cm long shiny, green, ovate leaves with 3 conspicuous veins at the base of the leaves. The flowers are small with yellow-green petals. The edible oval fruits are green when immature, turn dark red to purple-black and wrinkle when ripe, and contain a single hard seed.PLANTS 2009, Vahedi 2008

History

Traditional use of jujube dates back 2,500 years in original Chinese materia medica records. The fruit, seed, and bark are described in Korean, Indian, and Japanese traditional writings, as well. They are used to alleviate stress and insomnia and as appetite stimulants, digestive aids, antiarrhythmics, and contraceptives. The sweet smell of the fruit is said to make teenagers fall in love. The fruit is eaten fresh or dried and made into candy; tea, syrup, and wine are also made from the berries.Gupta 2004, Jiang 2007, Vahedi 2008

Chemistry

Composition of the plant parts varies geographically, as well as on the processing technique used.Guil-Guerrero 2004 The fruit is high in carbohydrates, especially fructose and glucose, which accounts for about 77% of the weight. Vitamins C, B complex, and A, as well as calcium, potassium, and other mineral elements, have been identified.Guil-Guerrero 2004, Huang 2008

Glycoside saponins, including jujuboside A and B, have been identified, as well as flavonoids, triterpenes, and short-medium chain fatty acids (eg, stearic, oleic, palmitic, linoleic).Huang 2008, Jiang 2007, Lee 2003, Lee 2004, Singh 2008, Zhang 2003, Zhao 2006 Reviews of the chemical constituents have been published.Gao 2013, Rodríguez Villanueva 2017

Uses and Pharmacology

CNS

Animal data

Jujube is used traditionally as an anxiolytic and sedative. Animal experiments using the saponin jujuboside and flavonoids from the fruits, as well as the seed extract, showed reductions in anxiety, impaired coordination and responses, and enhanced barbi...