Jujube

What jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date is and how it works

Jujube is the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba, a fruit tree native to China with over 3,000 years of documented use as both a food and a Traditional Chinese Medicine ingredient. It is genuinely NOT a regulated prescription or over-the-counter medicine in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, or New Zealand -- it is sold and regulated as a food, food ingredient, or dietary/food supplement in these markets. Australia is a real, confirmed exception, where Ziziphus jujuba is an active ingredient in multiple TGA-listed complementary Traditional Chinese Medicine combination products. (2) (4)

People commonly encounter jujube as a dried fruit snack, a tea or syrup ingredient, or an encapsulated powder/extract supplement marketed for sleep, relaxation, or digestive support. Because it is usually perceived as 'just a fruit', it is easy to overlook that it carries genuine, documented interaction risks -- most notably a severe reaction reported when combined with the antidepressant venlafaxine -- and a real, if uncommon, allergy risk. Evidence for its traditional uses in humans is explicitly described in the sources reviewed as preliminary and limited, not settled clinical proof.

Mechanism of action: how jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date works

Jujube fruit contains polysaccharides, flavonoids, and triterpenic acids studied for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and sedative-type activity. This dossier's sources did not detail a single defined mechanism of action equivalent to a conventional pharmaceutical. (2)

What jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date is used for

Before taking jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date

Do not take / not appropriate for

• Do not combine with venlafaxine (an antidepressant) without first checking with a clinician or pharmacist -- a severe serotonin-type reaction has been documented with concurrent use. (all countries) (2)

Tell your clinician about

• If you take venlafaxine or any other antidepressant.
• If you take phenytoin or phenobarbital (anticonvulsants) -- animal studies suggest jujube may potentiate their effects.
• If you have a known allergy to jujube, related plants, or latex -- documented reactions include angioedema, generalised urticaria, asthma, and hypotension.
• If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding -- safety data is lacking, and a contraceptive action of a bark extract has been demonstrated in mice.
• Any other supplements or sedative/sleep medicines you take, since jujube has documented sedative properties.

How to take jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date

• There is no single regulator-set standard dose, since jujube is not a regulated medicine in most markets -- follow the specific product's label or a clinician's/qualified practitioner's direction.
• If using a Traditional Chinese Medicine combination product containing jujube in Australia, follow that specific product's own labelled directions, not a generic jujube dose.
• Do not combine with venlafaxine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital without checking with a clinician or pharmacist first, given documented interactions.
• Seek medical advice promptly, and let the clinician decide about continuing, if any signs of allergic reaction occur (swelling, hives, breathing difficulty, or unusual drop in blood pressure).

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Missed dose

Not applicable in the same way as a prescribed medicine, since jujube is a food/supplement product without a regulator-set dosing schedule in most markets. If you are using a specific product with its own dosing schedule, follow that product's label or ask your pharmacist or qualified practitioner if unsure.

Overdose

This dossier's sources did not describe a specific jujube overdose syndrome or toxic dose threshold. As with any supplement, taking substantially more than a product's labelled amount is not advised. If a large accidental ingestion occurs, especially in a child, or if any concerning symptoms develop, contact a doctor or poison control centre for guidance.

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Serious warnings

Interactions

• Venlafaxine: a severe serotonin-type reaction has been documented with concurrent use -- avoid combining without clinician guidance. (2)
• Phenytoin and phenobarbital: animal studies show jujube may potentiate their effects. (2)
• Other sedative or sleep-related supplements/medicines: jujube has documented sedative properties, so combining with other sedatives may increase drowsiness. (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Monitoring

Before starting

• Check whether you take venlafaxine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital, given documented interactions.
• Check for any known allergy to jujube, related plants, or latex.

During treatment

• Watch for any signs of allergic reaction.
• Watch for excessive drowsiness if combined with other sedating supplements or medicines.
• Discuss with your clinician if using jujube for a specific health goal (sleep, digestion, cholesterol) to confirm it is a suitable complement to, not a replacement for, proven treatment.

Storage

Store dried fruit, powder, or extract products as directed on the product label, typically in a cool, dry place. Keep out of reach of children, as with any supplement product.

Frequently asked questions

References

1. New Dietary Ingredient Notification for Unripe Jujube Fruit Extract PowderU.S. Food and Drug Administration -- New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification docket · United States · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 1
2. Jujube: Uses, Dosage, Interactions and SafetyDrugs.com Natural Products database (monograph aggregates published pharmacognosy/clinical literature) · United States (reference monograph, not a regulator document) · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 2
3. Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme and food-vs-medicine classification guidanceUK Government / MHRA -- herbal medicinal product classification guidance · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 3
4. Novel food / traditional food from a third country regulatory frameworkEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) -- novel food and traditional food regulatory framework · European Union · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 4
5. Natural Health Products Regulations -- licensing framework applicable to herbal ingredients including Ziziphus jujubaHealth Canada -- Natural Health Products (NHP) regulatory framework · Canada · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 5
6. Multiple ARTG-listed Traditional Chinese Medicine/complementary medicine products containing Ziziphus jujubaTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- ARTG entries · Australia · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 6
7. Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 / Food Act 2014 framework applicable to herbal ingredients including jujubeNew Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (Food Act 2014) and Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 7

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient jujube (Ziziphus jujuba); also known as Chinese date or red date names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries