Jujube (Chinese Dates)

The Chinese date or ‘jujube’ is so important to the Chinese that it has worked its way into folklore – a traditional Chinese story tells of a woman who lived 2000 years ago who ate nothing but jujube and when she married at the age of 50 she had the appearance of a 20 year old! In Chinese medicine Jujube is used to strengthen Qi and Blood and calms the spirit. It strengthens the digestion and the whole body, improves the complexion and also helps to calm irritability and a racing mind. They are also very high in Vitamin C.

Jujube is an effective general tonic for the whole body, with particular affinity with the skin and digestion. Jujube is very useful for insomnia, restlessness and fatigue. As a blood tonic it is the ideal remedy for the Blood Deficient symptoms (pale skin, dry skin or hair, sometimes feel dizzy when standing, or ‘floaters’ in your vision) in which case jujube tea should be taken daily. Jujube can be eaten dried as you would with regular dates (but be careful of the stone) or soaked before use. They can also be simmered for 10-15 mins in boiling water to make a tea, which is a common way of taking jujube in China.