Jujube – Small Fruit That Brings Great Benefits to the Body |
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Jujube (lat. Zizyphus jujuba) is a tree of the buckthorn family, also known as Chinese date or red date.
It originated from Southeast Asia, where it was first mentioned in ancient Chinese poems written 2.500 years ago.
In autumn it produces sweet-sour brown fruits similar to dates.
In our continental regions jujube is almost unknown, but it is widespread and regularly used in the Adriatic region.
Its great value is affirmed by the fact that it is one of the most important herbs of traditional Chinese medicine and also the most widespread tree in China.
If there is any possibility to obtain this fruits, please do so because they are extremely beneficial to health.
Jujubes Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
100 grams of jujubes contain 79 calories, 20 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fat.
Jujubes contain a wide spectrum of minerals such as magnesium, coper, niacin, manganese, phosphorus and iron.
They are loaded with 18 most important amino acids, which help with the formation of proteins.
This miraculous fruit is rich with calcium, vitamins C, B1, B2 and A.
Besides the fact that jujube supplies the body with necessary nutrients, it also regenerates, nourishes and heals the skin.
It contains 20 times more vitamin C then citrus fruit.
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, which is why jujube tea has been traditionally used for sore throat, laryngitis, infectious sore throat, cough and bronchitis.
Scientists have identified eight flavonoids in jujube fruit, including spinosin and swertish which have a calming effect. This justifies the traditional usage of jujubes in Chinese medicine for treating anxiety and insomnia.
A phenol puerarin contained in jujube helps in lowering cholesterol levels and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
It was discovered that jujube essential oil stimulates hair growth and that jujube extract is an effective and safe treatment for chronic constipation.
Jujube extracts are used for reducing wrinkles, treating dry skin and sunburns.
Jujube is effective for treating stiff muscles, liver disease and for lowering body temperature.
Jujube improves oxygen utilization, thereby increasing the endurance of the organism.
Dried jujube fruits are good for lowering blood pressure.
Jujube has many health benefits, it:
- Strengthens immunity
- Strengthens bones
- Helps with losing weight
- Makes your skin beautiful
- Boosts digestion
- Protects form stress
- Helps in treating depression and insomnia
- Lowers blood pressure
- Eases liver diseases
- Helps with allergies
- Reduces the risk of leukemia and skin cancer
Jujube and Cancer
Jujube contains a flavonoid called apigenin (also found in chamomile, thyme, and red wine), that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.
It is rich with betulinic acid, which stimulates the self-destruction of cancer cells and has anti-inflammatory effect.
There are number of patented effective herbal jujube products used for reducing and preventing cancer tumors found in intestines, stomach, breasts, lungs, cervix, ovaries, prostate, gums, larynx, liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, endothelial cells and for the prevention of melanoma, leukemia, glioblastoma and myeloma.
Jujube and Cooking
Jujube fruits has a similar flavor as dates and can be used to substitute apples or dates in recipes.
The fruits are used fresh, dried, canned, candied, and processed as compote, jam, marmalade, sweets, mash potatoes, juice, syrup, brandy and liquor.
Jujube is used for therapeutic purposes. It is recommended to eat 10 jujube fruits 3 times a day.
Jujube Tea
For treating laryngitis, sour throat, chough and bronchitis take 30 to 50 grams of minced jujube fruits in one liter of water.
Boil it for 30 minutes and then filter. Drink as required.
Jujube seed
Jujube seed has calming, hydrating and digestive effects.
It is used in treating palpitation, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, pain, night sweats and excessive sweating.
It is also used to improve the skin color and tone.
Jujube Root
Jujube root is used for treating dyspepsia.
Jujube root water extract helps with fever.
Powder made of jujube root is used for treating old wounds and sores.
Jujube Cultivation
As a fruit tree, jujube is particularly suitable for organic farming.
It is a extremely resistant plant that can survive in hot areas with minimum watering.
It grows in orchards and family gardens. It can be also found surrounding hotels and in parks of Dalmatian region.
End of autumn and the beginning of winter, is a perfect time for its harvesting.
It can be cultivated with other Mediterranean trees, specifically olive trees.
If jujube tree is planted with olive tree it helps in reducing the number of pests known as olive fruit fly (lat. Bactrocera oleae).
It is recommended to plant 5% of jujube seedlings in olive plantations, individually or in rows.
Sources used in writing this article:
[url=http://foodfacts.mercola.com/]http://foodfacts.mercola.com/[/url]
[url=http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en]http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en[/url]
[url=http://megunprocessed.com]http://megunprocessed.com[/url]
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