Da Zao - Chinese Date, Jujube
TCM Materia Medica
Da Zao TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "da zao" which in english is 
"chinese date, jujube", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify qi" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the spleen and stomach channels and exhibits sweet (gan) and warm (wen) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 10-30g or 3-12 pieces
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Tonifies spleen qi - weakness, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, loose stools.
- Nourishes the blood, calms the spirit - irritability, pale complexion, emotional disturbances, restlessness.
- Useful to harmonize the harsh properties of other herbs.
Da Zao has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- May cause heat, dampness, and phlegm leading to fullness in the middle jiao, food stagnation.
Da Zao may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: irritability
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, da zao is generally included in the following 15 formulas:
ViewChai Hu Gui Zhi Tang Wan (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
A combination of gui zhi tang and xiao chai hu tang - together they work with both taiyang and shaoyang syndromes - common colds and flu, fever, chills, joint pain, nausea, abdominal/epigastric diste…
ViewChai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone, and Oyster Shell Formula)
Palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, agitation/irritibility, and insomnia from heat due to liver yang or fire. Mental disorders such as including biopolar and schizophrenia resulting from distrubed …
ViewFang Ji Huang Qi Wan (Stephania and Astragalus Teapills)
Wind damp / wind edema (feng shui, literally "wind water") patterns, generally acute - heavy sensation of the body, superficial edema, difficulty with urination - idiopathic edema, ascites. Weak wei…
ViewGan Mai Da Zao Wan (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Formula)
Anxiety/depression/manic issues with a tendency towards losing self-control (crying fits, excessive yawning, etc.) that result from the combination of heart yin deficiency and liver qi stagnation. I…
ViewGe Gen Wan (Kudzu Decoction)
Wind-cold invasion with upper neck and back pain - cold or flu, mild fever, no sweating, stiffness.
ViewGui Zhi Tang Wan (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Gan Mao (wind-cold) - Common cold or flu (or related illnesses, asthma, rhinitis, etc.) presenting with fever and chills (unrelieved by sweating), headache, aversion to wind, no desire for fluids, dr…
ViewHuang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Wan (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five Herb Decoction)
Common with blood deficient patterns for dispersing interior cold, xue bi, (blood painful obstruction), generally manifesting as numbness of the extremities. With the appropriate underlying patterns…
ViewJia Wei Gui Pi Wan (Augmented Restore The Spleen Decoction)
A combination of jia wei xiao yao wan and gui pi wan - similar effects but with more spleen qi and blood tonification. A range of stress related issues - essentially mixes of stagnation with underly…
ViewJuan Bi Wan (Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction)
Wind-cold-damp bi syndromes in qi deficient patients - joint pain possibly with heaviness of the limbs that generally improves with movement. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis. …
ViewPing Wei Wan (Calm the Stomach Powder)
Damp cold stagnation in the middle jiao - poor appetite, indigestion, gastritis, loose stools, heavy sensation of the limbs, fatigue. Can be used to induce labor with appropriate underlying diagnose…
ViewQing Bi Wan (Clear The Nose Decoction)
Sinus issues arising from damp-heat pattern in Chinese Medicine - yellow and sticky discharge, sinusitis, rhinitis acute or chronic. Sinus headache, decreased olfactory sense.
ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)
Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…
ViewTong Qiao Huo Xue Wan (Unblock the Orifices and Invigorate the Blood Decoction)
Blood stagnation particularly in the head - migraines and/or headaches with other sensory factors - auras, sound sensitivity, etc. Dizziness, tinnitus, hair loss - with underlying blood stagnation s…
ViewXiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
Shao Yang Syndrome (or "lesser yang stage") - alternating fever and chills, hypochondriac pain, irritability, bitter taste in mouth, poor appetite, nausea. Often used for illnesses (chronic or short…
ViewYu Ping Feng Wan (Jade Windscreen Formula)
Frequent colds, flus, chronic bronchitis - general low immunity to common infections. Spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind and/or cold. With appropriate diagnosis may be used to treat acute facia…
As noted above, da zao is within the herbs that tonify qi functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... herbs in this category are generally sweet and rich. they are most often combined with herbs that move and regulate the qi. )".
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