Jujube

BotanicalBest before bed

What is it

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba, also called Chinese date or red date) is a small fruit and traditional Chinese medicine herb. The fruit is a food; Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa seed (suanzaoren) is used for sleep and calming.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Vitamin C and antioxidants from fruit

Good Evidence

Jujube fruit is a meaningful source of vitamin C and polyphenols; food-level effects on antioxidant intake.

Sleep and mild anxiety (seed extract)

Limited Evidence

Small studies and traditional use support Ziziphus spinosa seed extracts for sleep onset and quality. Trial sizes are modest.

How it works

Jujube fruit provides vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenols. The seed of the spinosa variety contains jujubosides and other saponins that interact with GABA and serotonin signaling in animal models, contributing to its traditional sedative use. Sweet jujube fruit and sour jujube seed are used differently in herbal practice.

Dosage

Fruit doses vary. Seed extract sleep formulas commonly provide 200-500 mg/day of standardized extract.

When and how to take it

Seed extracts taken in the evening for sleep. Fruit can be eaten any time.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried jujube fruit

Used in cooking and as a snack.

Standard food nutrient absorption.

Ziziphus spinosa seed extract

Used in sleep formulas.

Standardized to jujubosides or other saponins.

Safety

Jujube fruit is well tolerated as a food. Seed extracts are usually well tolerated; mild sedation, GI symptoms occasional.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy: fruit is fine in normal amounts; concentrated extracts should be avoided due to limited safety data. Caution with sleep medications.

Interactions

Sour jujube seed extracts may add to effects of CNS depressants and sleep medications. Possible additive blood-glucose-lowering effects.

Food sources

Dried jujube fruit (100 g)

Amount
~80 mg vitamin C
%DV
89%

Frequently asked questions

Is jujube fruit the same as the date you eat with palm dates?⌄

No. Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a different fruit from palm dates (Phoenix dactylifera), despite sharing the nickname 'date'.

Can I just eat jujube fruit for sleep?⌄

The sleep-supporting saponins are concentrated in the seed of the spinosa variety, not the sweet eating fruit. Eating the fruit is unlikely to produce strong sleep effects.

References

Jujube on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Jujube on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Jujube (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Jujube with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.