Dà Zǎo (大枣) — Chinese date / Red jujube
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Dà Zǎo (大枣) — Ziziphus jujuba (fruit) — is known in English as Chinese date / Red jujube. It belongs to the category of Qi tonics in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Dà Zǎo as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dà Zǎo |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 大枣 |
| Latin name | Ziziphus jujuba (fruit) |
| English name | Chinese date / Red jujube |
| Nature | warm |
| Flavour | sweet |
| Channels entered | Spleen, Stomach, Heart |
| Category | Qi tonics |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Nourishes Blood and calms the Mind
- Moderates and harmonises harsh properties of other herbs in formulas
- Generates Body Fluids
Indications
- Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency — fatigue, poor appetite and loose stools
- Blood deficiency with anxiety, palpitations and disturbed sleep
- Used as a harmonising ingredient in most classical formulas to protect the Stomach and moderate harsh herbs
- Women's restlessness and weeping from Heart and Spleen deficiency (combined with Fu Xiao Mai in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang)
4. Key formulas containing Dà Zǎo
Dà Zǎo appears in the following key formulas:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Ziziphus jujuba (Da Zao, Red Date) is both a widely consumed food and an important medicinal herb in East Asia. Key bioactive constituents include polysaccharides, saponins (jujubosides), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and vitamins. Research confirms immunomodulatory, antioxidant, sedative, hepatoprotective and anti-tumour effects. Jujuboside A and B are the primary sedative constituents, working via GABA-A receptor modulation — the same mechanism as the closely related Suan Zao Ren (wild jujube seed). cAMP content is among the highest of any food and has been linked to anti-ageing and immune-stimulating effects.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid in patients with Damp obstruction, digestive stagnation and bloating, as the sweet, tonifying nature may worsen these. Avoid in excess patterns. Very well tolerated when used appropriately.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Dà Zǎo as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Anxiety, Insomnia, Chronic fatigue syndrome. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
