Black Date
Black Date
黑枣 · Hēi Zǎo
Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (dried & smoked)
A richly sweet and nourishing dried fruit — Black Date tonifies Qi and Blood, warms the Spleen, nourishes the Heart, and brings deep warmth and vitality to the whole body.
Taste & Nature
Sweet & Warm
Part Used
Fruit
Channels Entered
Spleen, Stomach & Heart
TCM Category
Qi & Blood Tonifying
Family
Rhamnaceae
What Is Black Date?
Black Date (Hei Zao, 黑枣) is the dried, smoke-cured form of the jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba), resulting in its characteristic deep black colour, wrinkled skin, and intensified sweetness. Deeply prized in Chinese culinary medicine, Black Dates are one of the most beloved warming and tonifying foods in East Asian food therapy, appearing in herbal soups, desserts, and tonic preparations across the region.
Sweet and warm in nature, Black Date enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Heart channels. It tonifies Qi and Blood simultaneously, warms and strengthens the digestive system, calms the mind, and nourishes the Heart — a uniquely well-rounded food-herb for fatigue, paleness, digestive weakness, and emotional tension. Its rich sweetness makes it one of the most palatable ingredients in herbal cooking.
History & Origin
Black Date (Hei Zao) is the smoke-dried form of the Chinese jujube, a time-honoured Blood-and-Qi tonic that has nourished Chinese households for centuries.
Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE)
The jujube appears in the Shennong Bencao Jing as a superior tonic that strengthens the middle and nourishes Qi and Blood.
Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 CE)
Jujube featured widely in Sun Simiao's dietary and tonic formulas to harmonise herbs and nourish Blood.
Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 CE)
Imperial formularies paired dates with Qi and Blood tonics, and jujube congees became everyday nourishment.
Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 CE)
Li Shizhen praised jujube for tonifying the Spleen and Stomach; smoke-drying distinguished the darker, richer Black Date.
Modern Era
Iron, polysaccharides, and antioxidants are studied for blood-nourishing and digestive support.
Traditional Uses
Tonifies Qi & Nourishes Blood
Simultaneously replenishes Qi and nourishes Blood, used for pallor, fatigue, and general deficiency of both vital substances.
Strengthens Spleen & Stomach
Warms and tonifies the middle burner, improving digestive function, appetite, and the body's ability to generate Qi and Blood from food.
Calms the Mind & Nourishes the Heart
A key ingredient in classical anxiety formulas, Black Date calms the Shen (spirit) and eases restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia.
Harmonises Herbal Formulas
Like Red Date, Black Date serves as a harmonising ingredient in herbal formulas, moderating harsh actions and protecting the Stomach from strong herbs.
Generates Blood
Nourishes Blood formation via the Spleen, beneficial for anaemia, pale lips and nails, dizziness, and heart palpitations from Blood deficiency.
Moistens Dryness
The concentrated sweetness and moisture of Black Date gently nourishes and moistens, used for dry mouth, dry throat, and general dryness from Yin or Blood deficiency.
Health Benefits
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Heart & Mind Calming Nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Shen, supporting emotional balance, sleep quality, and relief from anxiety.
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Energy & Blood Building Tonifies both Qi and Blood, combating fatigue, paleness, dizziness, and general depletion.
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Digestive Warmth Warms the Spleen and Stomach for better digestion, appetite, and nutrient absorption.
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Antioxidant Rich Dense concentration of polysaccharides and flavonoids with documented antioxidant properties.
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Natural Sweetness A healthy, fibre-rich natural sweetener for soups and desserts that adds nourishment alongside its delicious flavour.
Soups Featuring Black Date
Black Date is a key ingredient in these Food Art no-cook herbal soups, thoughtfully formulated to deliver its nourishing benefits in a convenient, ready-to-brew format.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.
