Jujube extract 100:1 | Ziziphus jujuba

What is Jujube extract 100:1 | Ziziphus jujuba?

Properties: The fruits of Ziziphus jujuba – called jujube red dates because of their distinctive color – are… simply healthy. “Just like a typical fruit” – someone would say. And that person would be right. By eating these fruits you will support the immune system in the fight against pathogens. It also helps to prevent atherosclerosis and improves the skin condition. Many fruits can act the same way. So what makes Ziziphus jujuba unique after all? Jujube fruits have already been recommended for people with nervousness and sleep problems in ancient times. It was believed (rightly) that jujube helped to calm down and effectively accelerated falling asleep. Today, we know that this effect is related to the beneficial effect of active compounds on the GABA neurotransmitter management. GABA plays a key role in preparing the body for rest. It also allows us to “slow down” after a stressful day and simply relax. What’s more, it makes us better adapted to stress during the day while resting at night becomes much easier.

Another unique property of Ziziphus jujuba is the ability to intensify the processes of neurogenesis. That is – to put it simply – a process of creating new nerve connections. They arise one each time, we successfully absorb new information or learn to do something properly. The growth of new cells and their ability to form interconnections is thus supported. This way we can improve the functioning of memory and enhance cognitive abilities.
Although jujube fruits taste like ordinary apples, they are far from being ordinary. Especially today – when we are constantly bombarded with information that needs to be screened and then rejected or assimilated, and excessive stress is the cause of many civilization diseases – it is really important to support natural processes. If you don’t have time to use relaxation techniques in this fast-paced world, and you have trouble getting up after spending up to 10 minutes in the lotus pose (padmasana) – try Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract.

Occurrence: The common jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a shrub belonging to the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Its fruits taste like apples and look like dates. This is why they are called red or Chinese dates. The fully ripe fruits turn reddish-brown or even purple-black. They are a herbal raw material. In natural conditions, Jujube can grow up to 10 meters in height. It occurs in Southern Europe, China, India and the Himalayas. In traditional medicine of China, Korea and Japan, jujube is used as an agent with sedative, analgesic, immune-stimulating and strengthening effects. In traditional Persian medicine (Unami), it has been combined with other herbs for colds, flu and coughs. The fact that the fruit of the Z. jujuba has been consumed by humans for thousands of years is supported by a note found in a poetic text dated around 1046-771 BC. The fruits also had a ritual significance – they were found in the Chinese Mawangdui tomb from the 2nd century BC.

Biochemistry: Ziziphus jujuba owes its unique features to jujubosides (A, B, C, D). Chemically, jujubosides are triterpene saponins. The fruits also contain: polyphenols, flavonoids (rutin, caffeic acid, etc.), polysaccharides, alkaloids, sterols, tannins, fatty acids, micro- and macroelements (selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese) as well as  B, C, A, E vitamins.

Fun fact: Jujube has been used for centuries in the culinary arts of many Asian countries. The fruits are usually pickled or stored in brine. They are used to make wine and sweet syrups. Dried jujube fruit can be used as a coffee substitute. In China, jujube paste is used as a filling for zongzi – rice balls prepared for the Dragon Boat Festival, and is also an essential ingredient in the Laba congee eaten at the end of the lunar year. In Korea, the traditional Daechu-cha tea is made from dried jujube fruits.