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Ziziphus jujuba
 Chinese Date

           RHAMNACEAE

This is one of those wonderful 'foods as medicine plants' with all the benefits of a tonic plant, without the nasty taste of many of the tonics and absolutely no dark side.

It is not a date but the dried fruit is certainly similar in appearance.
It is a deciduous tree and with its spines, leathery leaves and tiny yellow flowers it is not a visual pleasure in the garden, but then it fruits and it does not matter that it is not attractive any more.
The seeds have been removed from the case so that germination is quick and almost 90%
 

Packet of 10 viable seeds with shell removed

 

 


Research from Japan seems to indicate that is useful for supplementing the immune system due to it's tonic action on the heart and there have been tests into it's anti cancer properties but we have not found any really conclusive research yet.

They just taste great.