Background

Zizyphus (Ziziphus jujuba) is a thorny shrub. The fruit is edible and looks similar to a date. It's rich in fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, and fatty acids.

Zizyphus contains chemicals that might lower sugar and fat levels in the blood, and also cause sleepiness.

People use zizyphus for constipation, diabetes, aging skin, high cholesterol, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Zizyphus fruit is commonly consumed in foods. Zizyphus fruit or seed is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Zizyphus fruit is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to zizyphus.

Surgery: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Zizyphus might also slow down the central nervous system. Stop taking zizyphus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

Zizyphus fruit is commonly eaten as a food.

As medicine, zizyphus fruit extract and powder, as well as the seed extract, have been taken by mouth by adults in varying doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Zizyphus might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Zizyphus might lower blood sugar levels. Taking zizyphus along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Sedative medications (CNS depressants)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Zizyphus might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking zizyphus with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Zizyphus might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.