Overview
People use zizyphus for conditions such as diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), insomnia, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In manufacturing, zizyphus extracts are used in skin care products.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Constipation. Early research shows that taking zizyphus reduces symptoms of constipation such as bloating, stomach pain, and difficulty having a bowel movement in adults.
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Early research shows that taking zizyphus can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in teens with high cholesterol. However, zizyphus doesn't seem to improve levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol.
- Yellowing of the skin in infants (neonatal jaundice). Giving zizyphus to infants with jaundice doesn't seem to reduce skin yellowing, but it might shorten the length of time in the hospital.
- Aging skin.
- Anxiety.
- Asthma.
- Bruises.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Diarrhea.
- Dry skin.
- Fatigue.
- High blood pressure.
- Insomnia.
- Itching.
- Liver disease.
- Low levels of red blood cells in people with a long-term illness (anemia of chronic disease).
- Muscle strength.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
- Stimulating appetite.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Stress.
- Sunburn.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Diabetes: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar closely.
Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to zizyphus.
Surgery: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Zizyphus might also slow down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also affect the central nervous system. Stop taking zizyphus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
We currently have no information for ZIZYPHUS overview.
Dosing
Abdel-Zaher, A. O., Salim, S. Y., Assaf, M. H., and Abdel-Hady, R. H. Antidiabetic activity and toxicity of Zizyphus spina-christi leaves. J Ethnopharmacol. 10-3-2005;101(1-3):129-138. View abstract.
Adzu, B., Amos, S., Dzarma, S., Wambebe, C., and Gamaniel, K. Effect of Zizyphus spina-christi Willd aqueous extract on the central nervous system in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002;79(1):13-16. View abstract.
Al-Reza, S. M., Bajpai, V. K., and Kang, S. C. Antioxidant and antilisterial effect of seed essential oil and organic extracts from Zizyphus jujuba. Food Chem Toxicol 2009;47(9):2374-2380. View abstract.
Al-Reza, S. M., Yoon, J. I., Kim, H. J., Kim, J. S., and Kang, S. C. Anti-inflammatory activity of seed essential oil from Zizyphus jujuba. Food Chem Toxicol 2010;48(2):639-643. View abstract.
Anand, K. K., Singh, B., Chand, D., Chandan, B. K., and Gupta, V. N. Effect of Zizyphus sativa leaves on blood glucose levels in normal and alloxan-diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1989;27(1-2):121-127. View abstract.
Chen, C. F., Lee, J. F., Wang, D., Shen, C. Y., Shen, K. L., and Lin, M. H. Water extract of Zizyphus Jujube attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury in rats (PP106). Transplant.Proc 2010;42(3):741-743. View abstract.
Chen, F. P., Jong, M. S., Chen, Y. C., Kung, Y. Y., Chen, T. J., Chen, F. J., and Hwang, S. J. Prescriptions of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Insomnia in Taiwan during 2002. Evid Based Complement Alternat.Med 4-1-2009; View abstract.
Chen, H. C., Hsieh, M. T., and Lai, E. Studies on the suanzaorentang in the treatment of anxiety. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1985;85(4):486-487. View abstract.
Cisse, A., Ndiaye, A., Lopez-Sall, P., Seck, F., Faye, B., and Faye, B. [Antidiabetic activity of Zizyphus mauritiana Lam (Rhamnaceae)]. Dakar Med 2000;45(2):105-107. View abstract.
Ganachari, M. S., Kumar, S., and Bhat, K. G. Ziziphus jujuba leaves extract on phagocytosis by human neutrophils. Journal of Natural Remedies 2004;4:47-51.
Ge, X. and Zhu, X. Clinical applications of Suan Zao Ren Tang. He Nan Zhong Yi 1999;6:9.
Glombitza, K. W., Mahran, G. H., Mirhom, Y. W., Michel, K. G., and Motawi, T. K. Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Zizyphus spina-christi in rats. Planta Med 1994;60(3):244-247. View abstract.
Han, Y. N., Hwang, K. H., and Han, B. H. Inhibition of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by cyclic and linear peptide alkaloids from Zizyphus species. Arch Pharm Res 2005;28(2):159-163. View abstract.
Hatano, T., Kusuda, M., Inada, K., Ogawa, T. O., Shiota, S., Tsuchiya, T., and Yoshida, T. Effects of tannins and related polyphenols on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemistry 2005;66(17):2047-2055. View abstract.
Heo, H. J., Park, Y. J., Suh, Y. M., Choi, S. J., Kim, M. J., Cho, H. Y., Chang, Y. J., Hong, B., Kim, H. K., Kim, E., Kim, C. J., Kim, B. G., and Shin, D. H. Effects of oleamide on choline acetyltransferase and cognitive activities. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem 2003;67(6):1284-1291. View abstract.
Huang, X., Kojima-Yuasa, A., Xu, S., Norikura, T., Kennedy, D. O., Hasuma, T., and Matsui-Yuasa, I. Green tea extract enhances the selective cytotoxic activity of Zizyphus jujuba extracts in HepG2 cells. Am J Chin Med 2008;36(4):729-744. View abstract.
Huang, Y. L., Yen, G. C., Sheu, F., and Chau, C. F. Effects of water-soluble carbohydrate concentrate from Chinese jujube on different intestinal and fecal indices. J Agric.Food Chem 3-12-2008;56(5):1734-1739. View abstract.
Hwang, K. H., Han, Y. N., and Han, B. H. Inhibition of calmodulin-dependent calcium-ATPase and phosphodiesterase by various cyclopeptides and peptide alkaloids from the Zizyphus species. Arch Pharm Res 2001;24(3):202-206. View abstract.
Jarald, E. E., Joshi, S. B., and Jain, D. C. Antidiabetic activity of extracts and fraction of <it>Zizyphus mauritiana. Pharmaceutical Biology 2009;47:328-334.
Lee, M. S., Park, M-S., Shin, Y-I., Moon, B-S., and Woo, W-H. Effects of a Korean traditional herbal supplement on symptoms of stress and mood profiles in high school girls: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial 2005. Stress & Health 2005;21(2):139-143.
Lee, S. M., Min, B. S., Lee, C. G., Kim, K. S., and Kho, Y. H. Cytotoxic triterpenoids from the fruits of Zizyphus jujuba. Planta Med 2003;69(11):1051-1054. View abstract.
Matsuda, H., Murakami, T., Ikebata, A., Yamahara, J., and Yoshikawa, M. Bioactive saponins and glycosides. XIV. Structure elucidation and immunological adjuvant activity of novel protojujubogenin type triterpene bisdesmosides, protojujubosides A, B, and B1, from the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa (Zizyphi Spinosi Semen). Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1999;47(12):1744-1748. View abstract.
Morishita, S., Mishima, Y., Hirai, Y., Saito, T., and Shoji, M. Pharmacological studies of water extract of the Zizyphus seed and the Zizyphus seed containing drug. Gen Pharmacol 1987;18(6):637-641. View abstract.
Nesseem, D. I., Michel, C. G., Sleem, A. A., and El-Alfy, T. S. Formulation and evaluation of antihyperglycemic leaf extracts of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. Pharmazie 2009;64(2):104-109. View abstract.
Park, J. H., Lee, H. J., Koh, S. B., Ban, J. Y., and Seong, Y. H. Protection of NMDA-induced neuronal cell damage by methanol extract of zizyphi spinosi semen in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;95(1):39-45. View abstract.
Peng, Z., Zhang, H., Cheng, S., and Guo, W. [Protective effect of semen Ziziphi spinosae on superoxide dismutase reduction in mice with endotoxin fever]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1995;20(6):369-70, inside. View abstract.
Shen, X., Tang, Y., Yang, R., Yu, L., Fang, T., and Duan, J. A. The protective effect of Zizyphus jujube fruit on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in mice by anti-oxidative activities. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-21-2009;122(3):555-560. View abstract.
Shi Yong Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1991;(12):729.
Suan Zao Ren Tang. Shan Dong Yi Kan 1965;(9):273.
Watanabe, I., Saito, H., and Takagi, K. Pharmacological studies of Zizyphus seeds. Jpn J Pharmacol 1973;23(4):563-571. View abstract.
Wu, S. X., Zhang, J. X., Xu, T., Li, L. F., Zhao, S. Y., and Lan, M. Y. [Effects of seeds, leaves and fruits of Ziziphus spinosa and jujuboside A on central nervous system function]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1993;18(11):685-4. View abstract.
Yoo, K. Y., Li, H., Hwang, I. K., Choi, J. H., Lee, C. H., Kwon, D. Y., Ryu, S. Y., Kim, Y. S., Kang, I. J., Shin, H. C., and Won, M. H. Zizyphus attenuates ischemic damage in the gerbil hippocampus via its antioxidant effect. J Med Food 2010;13(3):557-563. View abstract.
Yoshikawa, M., Murakami, T., Ikebata, A., Wakao, S., Murakami, N., Matsuda, H., and Yamahara, J. Bioactive saponins and glycosides. X. On the constituents of zizyphi spinosi semen, the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa Hu (1): structures and histamine release-inhibitory effect of jujubosides A1 and C and acetyljujuboside B. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1997;45(7):1186-1192. View abstract.
Zhang, M., Ning, G., Shou, C., Lu, Y., Hong, D., and Zheng, X. Inhibitory effect of jujuboside A on glutamate-mediated excitatory signal pathway in hippocampus. Planta Med 2003;69(8):692-695. View abstract.
Ebrahimimd S, Ashkani-Esfahani S, Poormahmudibs A. Investigating the efficacy of zizyphus jujuba on neonatal jaundice. Iran J Pediatr. 2011 Sep;21(3):320-4. View abstract.
Gao QH, Wu CS, Wang M. The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit: a review of current knowledge of fruit composition and health benefits. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Apr 10;61(14):3351-63. View abstract.
Hajhashemi V, Safaei A. Hypnotic effect of Coriandrum sativum, Ziziphus jujuba, Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis extracts in mice. Res Pharm Sci. 2015 Nov-Dec;10(6):477-84. View abstract.
Hamedi S, Arian AA, Farzaei MH. Gastroprotective effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba L. against HCl/Ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. J Tradit Chin Med. 2015 Dec;35(6):666-70. View abstract.
Hong EH, Song JH, Kang KB, Sung SH, Ko HJ, Yang H. Anti-Influenza Activity of Betulinic Acid from Zizyphus jujuba on Influenza A/PR/8 Virus. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2015 Jul;23(4):345-9. View abstract.
Irannejad Niri Z, Shidfar F, Jabbari M, et al. The effect of dried Ziziphus vulgaris on glycemic control, lipid profile, apo-proteins and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Food Biochem 2020; Mar 30:e13193. Online ahead of print. View abstract.
Jing XY, Peng YR, Wang XM, Duan JA. Effects of Ziziphus jujuba fruit extracts on cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2) activity in rats. Chin J Nat Med. 2015 Aug;13(8):588-94. View abstract.
Kandimalla R, Dash S, Kalita S, Choudhury B, Malampati S, Kalita K, Kalita B, Devi R, Kotoky J. Protective Effect of Bioactivity Guided Fractions of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Root Bark against Hepatic Injury and Chronic Inflammation via Inhibiting Inflammatory Markers and Oxidative Stress. Front Pharmacol. 2016 Sep7;7:298. View abstract.
Koohi-Hosseinabadi O, Andisheh-Tadbir A, Bahadori P, Sepehrimanesh M, Mardani M, Tanideh N. Comparison of the therapeutic effects of the dietary and topical forms of Zizyphus jujuba extract on oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil: A golden hamster model. J Clin Exp Dent. 2015 Apr 1;7(2):e304-9. View abstract.
Lombardi C, Mistrello G, Roncarolo D, Senna G, Passalacqua G. Latex-jujube cross-reactivity: case report and immunological study. Allergy. 2005 Jul;60(7):971-2. View abstract.
Mohebbati R, Kamkar-Del Y, Shafei MN. Effect of aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions of Ziziphus jujuba Mill extract on cardiovascular responses in hypertensive rats. Malays J Med Sci 2020;27(3):43-52. View abstract.
Naftali T, Feingelernt H, Lesin Y, Rauchwarger A, Konikoff FM. Ziziphus jujube extract for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation: a controlled clinical trial. Digestion. 2008;78(4):224-8. View abstract.
Sabzghabaee AM, Khayam I, Kelishadi R, Ghannadi A, Soltani R, Badri S, Shirani S. Effect of Zizyphus jujuba fruits on dyslipidemia in obese adolescents: a triple-masked randomized controlled clinical trial. Med Arch. 2013;67(3):156-9. View abstract.
Scholey A, Benson S, Gibbs A, Perry N, Sarris J, Murray G. Exploring the effects of Lactium and zizyphus complex on sleep quality: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. 2017 Feb 17;9(2):E154. View abstract.
Suzuki H, Rhim JH. Effect of samgyetang feeding on plasma lipids, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and stress-induced gastric ulcers in mice. Nutr Res 2000;20:575-84.
Tahergorabi Z, Abedini MR, Mitra M, Fard MH, Beydokhti H. "Ziziphus jujuba": A red fruit with promising anticancer activities. Pharmacogn Rev. 2015 Jul-Dec;9(18):99-106. View abstract.
Select a condition to view a list of vitamins
You Might Also Like
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.