Three dates a day keep old age away.

Introduction: The ancient Chinese had a deep understanding of the jujube, as recorded in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), where it is listed as a superior herb. It is described as "sweet in taste, with a rich, reddish flesh, possessing the color of fire and the flavor of earth. Therefore, it can fortify the middle jiao, warm and nourish the spleen and stomach, forming the foundation of postnatal vitality. All things are born from the earth; when the earth's qi is abundant, all meridians benefit." Furthermore, "prolonged use will lead to a light body and a long life, all due to its ability to supplement and benefit postnatal vitality." This is why there is a common saying: "Three jujubes a day keep old age away."

Jujube Bun

Why does the jujube have the effect of making one "light-bodied and long-lived"? This must begin with the functions of the spleen and stomach. A person's health depends entirely on the qi and blood of the body. When qi and blood are abundant, the body is healthy; when they are deficient, illness is more likely. The spleen and stomach are responsible for producing qi and blood, and Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that "the spleen and stomach are the source of the generation and transformation of qi and blood." The jujube is sweet in taste and warm in nature, and it acts on the spleen and stomach meridians. First, it has the effect of tonifying the spleen and stomach, thus aiding in the generation of qi and blood.

Sticky Rice and Jujube

Additionally, the sweet taste of the jujube enters the spleen, where it can tonify the spleen qi. When combined with herbs like Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen) and Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), it can strengthen the spleen and benefit qi, alleviating fatigue. The red color of the jujube enters the heart, where it can nourish the blood and calm the spirit. Women with blood deficiency and a poor complexion after childbirth or menstruation can use red jujubes to make a sweet soup to generate blood and improve their complexion, making it rosy. Women going through menopause with blood deficiency and sleep disturbances can boil water with jujubes and longan to drink before bed, which can help calm the spirit and improve sleep.

Jujube and Chinese Yam Porridge

As people age, they often experience a decline in energy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Vitamin E found in jujubes has antioxidant and anti-aging effects. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) it contains is an essential component for human cellular energy metabolism, capable of enhancing muscle strength and eliminating fatigue. Therefore, the jujube acts as a mild tonic. It is very effective in regulating symptoms such as emaciation, fatigue, and loss of appetite caused by a weak spleen and stomach. For those who are weak and frequently ill, or have poor resistance, consistent consumption of jujubes can strengthen the body. Thus, the jujube has certain benefits for fitness in old age and delaying the aging process.

Jujube Sugar Cake