Dà Zǎo (大枣), known in English as Chinese jujube/date (Ziziphus jujuba (fruit)), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi, nourishes Blood.
| Pinyin | Dà Zǎo (Da Zao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 大枣 |
| English | Chinese jujube/date |
| Botanical name | Ziziphus jujuba (fruit) |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–12 pieces |
| Cautions | Damp-Heat; food stagnation; worm accumulation |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi, nourishes Blood
- Calms Shen, moderates harsh herbs in formulas
Indications
- Spleen deficiency fatigue
- Blood deficiency with palpitations
- Used in formulas to moderate harsh herbs
How to remember Dà Zǎo
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its action “Tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
Formulas containing Dà Zǎo
- Guì Zhī Tāng
- Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng
- Guī Pí Tāng
- Wēn Dǎn Tāng
- Píng Wèi Sǎn
- Xiǎo Jiàn Zhōng Tāng
- Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng
- Dà Chái Hú Tāng
- Bàn Xià Xiè Xīn Tāng
- Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng
- Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng
- Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng
- Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng
- Bā Zhēn Tāng
- Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng
- Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng
- Xuán Fù Dài Zhě Tāng
- Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Dà Zǎo?
Dà Zǎo is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Dà Zǎo enter?
Dà Zǎo enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Dà Zǎo?
Tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi, nourishes Blood; Calms Shen, moderates harsh herbs in formulas.
What is Dà Zǎo used for?
Spleen deficiency fatigue; Blood deficiency with palpitations; used in formulas to moderate harsh herbs.
Which formulas contain Dà Zǎo?
Guì Zhī Tāng, Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng, Guī Pí Tāng, Wēn Dǎn Tāng, Píng Wèi Sǎn, Xiǎo Jiàn Zhōng Tāng, Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng, Dà Chái Hú Tāng, Bàn Xià Xiè Xīn Tāng, Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng, Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng, Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng, Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng, Bā Zhēn Tāng, Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng, Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng, Xuán Fù Dài Zhě Tāng and Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng.
Practise Dà Zǎo and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.