Synopsis

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

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), also known as red date or Chinese date, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Korean medicine, as a remedy for stress, anxiety, and insomnia. In TCM, jujube is often included in herbal formulas to "nourish the heart" and "calm the spirit," which are traditional concepts associated with emotional balance and stress relief. The fruit is believed to have sedative and anxiolytic effects, making it a common ingredient in teas and tonics intended to promote relaxation and restful sleep.

While there is considerable historical and anecdotal support for jujube’s use in stress management, scientific evidence remains limited but is growing. Some animal studies suggest that jujube extracts may have sedative and anxiolytic effects, potentially through modulation of the GABAergic system and antioxidant activity. A few small human trials have reported improvements in sleep quality and reductions in anxiety symptoms with jujube supplementation, but these studies often suffer from methodological limitations such as small sample sizes or lack of blinding. Systematic reviews conclude that while preliminary results are promising, more rigorous clinical research is necessary to confirm efficacy and clarify mechanisms of action.

In summary, the use of jujube for stress is primarily justified by traditional usage, with emerging but not yet robust scientific evidence supporting its potential calming effects.

More about jujube
More about Stress

Other ingredients used for Stress

Other health conditions supported by jujube

Products containing jujube

Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue Formula (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief
Nature's Sunshine Stress Relief TCM