Ziziphus Jujub: Health Benefits, Therapeutic Uses (Plum, Unnab Ber)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Indian Jujube botanical name is Ziziphus Jujuba, other common names are unnab ber, Indian plum, Chinese date, Chinese apple, zizyphus vulgaris, jujube, ziziphus mauritiana. It is mainly found throughout India and in the outer Himalayas up to 1,350 m. Ziziphus Jujuba is one of the hardiest fruit trees, it is a small thorny evergreen tree with vine-like branches and dark green leaves.

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2. Common Names

• Family - Rhamnaceae.
• Hindi Name - Ber.
• English Name - Plum.
• Synonyms - Badari, Ajapriya, Kuha, Vishama.

3. Morphology

Leaves

The leaves are glossy green, ovate, lanceolate in shape, and alternate. They are 1-3 inches in length and the tips of the leaves are rounded with three conspicuous veins at the base. The leaves are antipyretic and reduce obesity.

Fruits

The fruits are egg-shaped and orange or brown in color, with edible acid pulp and hard central stone. The fruit has two varieties – the wild one called Jharberi, which is small and round, while cultivated fruit is oval, fleshy, and bigger in size. It is sweeter as compared to the smaller kind. The fruit is cooling, digestible, tonic,

Flowers

Flowers have sepals that are dorsally tomentose, they are golden yellow in color with 4-5 petals, and they have acrid smell. 

4. Types

• Sovir
• Karkandhu
• Kola

5. Ayurvedic Properties 

6. Nutritional Value

An analysis shows Ziziphus contains moisture 81.6 percent, protein 0.8 percent, fat 0.3 percent, minerals 0.3 percent, and carbohydrates 17.0 percent per 100 grams. Its minerals and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Its calorific value is 74, both fruit varieties contain Ziziphus acid and tannins.

7. Ayurvedic and Pharmacological Actions

Ayurvedic Actions

Its Ayurvedic actions are hic-cough, diarrhea, menometrorrhagia, burning sensation, thirst, fever and blood disorders.

Pharmacological Actions

Its Pharmacological actions are relish, astringent, cardiotonic, laxatic, purgative, bilk promoting, spermatogenesis, oleation and antifatigue.

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8. Health Benefits 

The Indian Jujube has aphrodisiac, hypnotic-sedative, anxiolytic, anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, cognitive, antispastic, and wound healing properties.

Here are some health benefits of Indian Jujube

For Cold and Influenza

It is useful in preventing frequent attacks of cold and influenza, it helps to improve body immunity to fight against viruses and bacteria.

For Conjunctivitis

The leaves of Ziziphus jujuba are valuable in treating conjunctivitis, an infusion of the leaves should be used as an eye lotion.

For Hair Disorder

The leaves of the plant are beneficial for hair problems like hair fall, grey hair, and hair growth, leaves help to clean and prevent the scalp from disease. It also lengthens the hair and darkens them.

For Mental Retardation

Ziziphus jujuba fruits are beneficial in the treatment of mental retardation, they increase the functioning of the brain by releasing more glutamic acid into the bloodstream.

For Mouth Disorder

The fresh leaf of the plant helps to treat sore throat, reduce inflammation of the mouth, and bleeding from the gums, and health the cracked tongue due to excessive consumption of sour fruits.

For Piles

The fresh and baked leaves mixed with castor oil, apply on plies, help to treat piles.

For Skin Disorder

Ziziphus jujuba leaves give an excellent result on boils, carbuncles, and abscesses to promote suppuration. It also gives relief from painful boils and styes.

For Stomach Disorder

The bark is used for the treatment of diarrhea. Dysentery and colic. It helps to treat constipation and ease bowel movements.

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9. Use 

Dosage and uses depend upon the health problems and conditions or as an Ayurvedic doctor recommends. The general recommended dosage is 3-6 grams of Unnab Ber / Ziziphus jujuba daily once a day.

Here are some dosages and uses of Unnab Ber / Ziziphus jujuba

• Take 1 tsp of Ziziphus jujuba fruit powder with water, helps to purify the blood and aids digestion.
• Take 1 tsp of Unnab Ber fruit powder and mix with a pinch of black pepper, take this once daily to prevent cold.
• Take 50 grams of leaves powder of Unnab Ber and mix with water to make a paste, apply this on your scalp. Helps to clean the scalp and prevent scalp disease.
• Take 2 tsp of Unnab Ber leaf powder and mix with 1 tsp of lime juice, apply it on the face. It helps to treat a skin disorder.
• Take bark infusion 1tsp once a day daily, helps to treat diarrhea and colic.
• Take 2 tsp of Ziziphus jujuba fruit powder and boiled with half a liter of water till reduces to half. Add sugar or honey for taste and take daily at night before retiring. Helps to give relief from mental retardation.

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10. Dose

• Decoction - 50 to 100ml.
• Fruit Paste - 5 to 10 g.

11. Official Part Used

Fruit, Root, Leaves.

12. Side Effects 

All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’ have any side effects but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have special health issues.

Some side effects are mentioned below

• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• If you are on diabetes or on hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming.
• If you are on sedatives, consult first the doctor before consuming.