Ziziphus jujuba, a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 1–3 meters in height, features straight and curved thorns along its branches. Leaves are alternate, oblong to lanceolate, measuring 2–3.5 cm long and 6–12 mm wide, with blunt tips, finely serrated margins, and three basal veins.Flowers are yellowish-green, often clustered in groups of 2–3 in leaf axils; sepals, petals, and stamens are all in multiples of five. The ovary is superior, 2-loculed, embedded in the receptacle, with a 2-lobed stigma. The drupe is small, oblong or nearly round, dark red, sour-tasting, with the stone often blunt at both ends. Flowering occurs from April to May, fruiting in September.Grows on sunny or dry slopes, plains, and roadsides. Primarily produced in Hebei, Shaanxi, Henan, and Liaoning.
Harvest ripe fruits in late autumn to early winter. Remove pulp, crush kernels, extract seeds, and sun-dry. Used raw.
[Properties] Sweet and sour taste, neutral nature. Nourishes the heart and liver, calms the spirit, and reduces sweating.
[Reference] Contains abundant fatty oils and proteins, along with sterols, triterpenoids, jujube seed saponins, and high levels of vitamin C.
Exhibits sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant effects; possesses mild hypotensive properties; stimulates uterine activity.
[Uses] For deficiency of yin and blood, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness; physical weakness with profuse sweating.
[Dosage] 10–15g daily. Decoct into soup or cook into porridge; take powdered form at 3–5g per dose.
1. Ziziphus Porridge: 10g Ziziphus seeds, 15g Rehmannia glutinosa, 100g japonica rice. Decoct seeds and Rehmannia to extract liquid, then cook with rice into porridge.
Origin: Shenghui Fang.This formula uses Ziziphus jujuba seed to nourish and calm the spirit, while Rehmannia glutinosa nourishes yin and clears the heart. Indicated for heart yin deficiency manifesting as restlessness, feverishness, palpitations, and insomnia.
2. Ziziphus Seed and Ginseng Powder: Ziziphus jujuba seed 20g, Ginseng 12g, Poria cocos 30g. Grind into fine powder. Take 5–6g each time with warm water. May also be added to porridge.
Originating from the Universal Relief Formulas (no original formula name). This formula uses jujube seeds to reduce sweating, ginseng to tonify lung qi, and poria to calm the spirit. It is used for spontaneous sweating and night sweats due to deficiency. As all three ingredients also nourish the heart and calm the spirit, it can also be used for restlessness and insomnia caused by deficiency. (Image source: CFP)