Evidence supporting the use of: Jujube
For the health condition: Mental Illness

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), also known as Chinese date, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Korean medicine, for supporting mental health. It is commonly used to calm the mind, treat insomnia, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mood. In TCM, jujube is often included in herbal formulas for its reputed ability to nourish the heart and quiet the spirit, which are concepts related to mental well-being. Scientific studies on jujube’s efficacy for mental illness are limited but growing. Preclinical research suggests that jujube extracts may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), sedative, and neuroprotective effects, possibly due to their content of saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Some animal studies have found that jujube can reduce anxiety-like behavior and improve sleep quality, likely by modulating neurotransmitter systems such as GABAergic activity. However, robust clinical trials in humans are sparse, and most available evidence comes from small-scale studies or traditional use rather than large, well-controlled clinical trials. In summary, the use of jujube for mental illness is primarily justified by traditional practice, with modest but inconclusive scientific support emerging in recent years. Thus, while it is widely used for mental health in traditional medicine, strong scientific validation is still lacking.

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