Chinese jujubes are known for their blood-nourishing properties, leading many to believe that eating more of them, as a health supplement, is particularly beneficial for women.
Jujubes are sweet in taste and warm in nature, and their primary functions are to tonify the middle jiao, replenish qi, nourish the blood, and calm the spirit. Clinically, they are mainly used for conditions such as spleen and stomach qi deficiency, blood deficiency with sallow complexion, insomnia, and excessive dreaming. For women who suffer from anemia caused by excessive menstrual bleeding, regularly drinking jujube soup can help replenish the blood. However, some women experience swollen eyes or feet during their period, which is a sign of "dampness" (湿重). This group of people should not consume jujubes because their sweet nature can easily lead to the production of phlegm and dampness, causing fluid and dampness to accumulate in the body and worsen edema. Women with a "hot-dry" constitution (燥热体质) are also advised against eating red dates during their period, as this can easily lead to excessive menstrual bleeding and harm the body. Furthermore, because jujubes are rich in sugar, especially dried ones, they are not suitable for diabetics to consume as a supplement.
Consuming excessive amounts of fresh jujubes can easily cause diarrhea and damage the spleen. Therefore, individuals with colds or fevers caused by "wind-heat" (外感风热), as well as those with abdominal bloating and qi stagnation, should avoid eating fresh jujubes.
Generally speaking, it is wise to eat boiled jujubes, as this method does not diminish their medicinal effects while also avoiding the diarrhea that can be caused by eating them raw.