Ziziphus jujuba. Z. vulgaris  红 枣 Hóng zǎo- Red date, 大 枣 Dà zǎo- Large date, 黑 枣 Hēi zǎo- Black date   Family: Rhamnaceae 
Red date, large date and black date all refer to the same species. The fruits start out green and turn red or mahogany once they're mature. The freshly harvested as well as the candied dried fruit are often eaten as a snack. They are available in either red or black. Black dates have been smoked to enhance their flavor.
Nature: Warm, neutral    FLAVOR: Sweet, pleasant  CHANNEL: Spleen, Stomach
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Tonify Qi. |
1. Replenishing Qi.
2. Invigorate the Spleen & Stomach.[1,2,3] Spleen tonic.[4]
3. Harmonize all other herbs. Moderate the potency of drugs. Counteract drug poisoning. Regulates various medications taken.[1]
4. Nourish Blood and calm the mind. Blood tonic.[4]
5. Moisturises the heart and Lungs.[1]  Produce fluids.[4] Detoxifies.[4]
6. Regulate Qi.
INDICATIONS
1. Spleen & Stomach deficiency with poor appetite, anemia, fatigue and loose stools.[1,2,3] Fatigue.[1] Weak stomach.[4]
2. Blood deficiency with insomnia, vexation and restlessness. Palpitations.[4] Nervousness.[4]
3. Counteracting the toxicity of side effects of potent drugs such as Genkwa flower, Euphorbiae pekinensis root, Lepidii seed, Decuraineae seed.
4. Recently used for anaphalactoid purpura and bronchial asthma. Purpura. Allergic Pupura.[4]
5. Hysteria in women.[4]
6. Inadequate salivation.[1]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction 10-30 g.[3] Decoction - Ripe fruit  4 -9 g.[1]  Dried ripe fruit 6-15 g.[1,2] Prolonged consumption of 30 g red dates in the evening every dat improves physical conditions, such as skinniness and weakness.[4] Date jelly: Boil 1.5 kg fresh dates, or 500 g red dates seeded, until they look like jelly; add 500 g sugar and stir until dissolved.[4] Fresh dates are left in the sun to dry until red to make dried red dates.[4] Fresh red dates may be boiled and left in the sun to dry, then steamed and baked a few times until the surface becomes quite black; these are called black dates.[4]
Fluid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol.[5]

ORIGIN: Africa, Middle East, Far East.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Research.
Recent work has shown that extracts of the fruit increase levels of cyclic AMP in leucocytes, and that the fruit itself contains very high levels of both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP,[1,2,3] which may help to explain the antiallergic acitivity.[4] An aqueous extract has been shown to inhibit experimental anaphylaxis in the skin of rats. It has no antibacterial activity but sedative activity and in vitro antitumour activity has been shown.[4]
Z. vulgaris seed extract produces a transient fall in blood pressure and a prolongation of thiobarbital induced sleeping time in animals.[5]
References
[1] Cyong, J. et al. (1979) Proc. Symp. Wakan-Yaku 12, 1
[2] Cyong, J. and Hanabusa, K. (1980) Phytochem. 19, 2747
[3] Cyong, J. and Takahashi, M. (1982) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 30, 1081
[4] Ahn, Y. S. et al. (1982) Korean J. Pharmacol. 18 (1), 17
[5] Freidrich, H. and Engleshowe, R. (1978) Planta Med. 33, 251

"Ziziphus jujuba": A red fruit with promising anticancer activities.
Tahergorabi Z, Abedini MR, Mitra M, Fard MH, Beydokhti H.
Abstract
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Z. jujuba) is a traditional herb with a long history of use for nutrition and the treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. It grows mostly in South and East Asia, as well as in Australia and Europe. Mounting evidence shows the health benefits of Z. jujuba, including anticancer, anti-inflammation, antiobesity, antioxidant, and hepato- and gastrointestinal protective properties, which are due to its bioactive compounds. Chemotherapy, such as with cis-diamminedichloroplatinium (CDDP, cisplatin) and its derivatives, is widely used in cancer treatment. It is an effective treatment for human cancers, including ovarian cancer; however, drug resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment. A better understanding of the mechanisms and strategies for overcoming chemoresistance can greatly improve therapeutic outcomes for patients. In this review article, the bioactive compounds present in Z. jujuba are explained. The high prevalence of many different cancers worldwide has recently attracted the attention of many researchers. This is why our research group focused on studying the anticancer activity of Z. jujuba as well as its impact on chemoresistance both in vivo and in vitro. We hope that these studies can lead to a promising future for cancer patients.
PMID: 26392706 PMCID: PMC4557242 DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.162108 Pharmacogn Rev. 2015 Jul-Dec;9(18):99-106. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.162108. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anxiolytic effect of seed of Ziziphus jujuba in mouse models of anxiety.
Peng WH, Hsieh MT, Lee YS, Lin YC, Liao J.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ethanolic extract of Semen Ziziphi jujuba (SZJE) induced anxiolytic effect. The SZJE was orally administered to male ICR mice, at 0.5, 1.0 and 2. 0 g/kg, 30 min before the behavioral evaluation in the black and white test (BWT) and elevated plus maze (EPM). The SZJE at the dosage 0.5-2.0 g/kg increased the first time entry, total changes and times spent in the white chamber of the BWT. The SZJE at the dosage 0.5-1.0 g/kg increased the percentage of time-spent and the percentage of arm entries in the open arms of the EPM and decreased the percentage of time-spent and the percentage of arm entries in the closed arms of the EPM. Furthermore, the SZJE at the dosage of 1. 0 g/kg prolonged the hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice and decreased the locomotor activity in rats. These results suggested that SZJE possessed anxiolytic effect at lower dose and sedative effect at higher dose.
PMID: 10996283 J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Oct;72(3):435-41. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isolation, structures and bioactivities of the polysaccharides from jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.): A review.
Ji X, Peng Q, Yuan Y, Shen J, Xie X, Wang M.
Abstract
Jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) has been eaten as a fruit and nutraceutical food in China for thousands of years. Recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies have shown that the polysaccharides are one of major biologically active components of the jujube fruit and have various biological effects, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic activities, and gastrointestinal-protective effects. Although the extraction and purification of jujube polysaccharides are tedious processes, including different steps of liquid- and solid-phase separation, the polysaccharides have been structurally characterized. However, the relationships between the structures and activities of the jujube polysaccharides are not well established. The purpose of the present review is to appraise the previous and current literature on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities of jujube polysaccharides. This review should provide a useful bibliography for the further investigation, production, and application of jujube polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.
PMID: 28274443 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.074 Food Chem. 2017 Jul 15;227:349-357. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.074. Epub 2017 Jan 17. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov