UJUBE, the dark red fruit known as Chinese date, is both a popular snack and a very nutritious and therapeutic food praised in classics of herbal medicine. Three jujubes a day keeps the doctor away and keeps you young, the saying goes. In the legend "Journey to the West," an ailing king one day encounters the god of longevity in a forest and asks him for the secret of life. The god says he didn't bring medicine along since he was trying to find his lost horse, but he gave the king three jujubes that he had been planning to give to the god of heaven. The king ate the three jujubes and felt instantly invigorated. According to traditional Chinese medicine, jujubes processed in different ways confer different heath benefits. There are several types of jujube as ell.

Da zao
This dark red Chinese date is most commonly used in TCM, especially to reinforce energy and aid digestion. It is nutrition-dense and contains more vitamin C per unit than apples and peaches. It has high sugar content, 20-30 percent in fresh dates, 55-80 percent in dried fruit. Those with blood sugar problems should avoid it. Chinese dates grows in most part of north China, including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu provinces. These are large and sweet, but smaller dates grown around Tianjin are considered more effective in TCM prescriptions, according to Xia.

Dong zao
Winter jujube, another type, usually grows in Hebei and Shandong provinces. It's rich in vitamin C and is believed to help prevent hardening of blood vessels and arteries, aiding cardiovascular health.

Suan zao
Ziziphus jujube is a "neutral" energy herb in TCM that helps soothe nerves, nourishes the heart and stops sweating. It is often prescribed for insomnia and night sweats. It is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, phosphorous and recommended for growing children. It is considered an anti-aging food and helps reduce blood fat and prevent hardening of the arteries.

Hei zao
Black jujubes are fresh Chinese dates that have been smoked. This is a "warm" (yang) food that helps nourish yin and reinforce blood; it more effective in blood reinforcement than fresh jujubes. Eating a few every day are good for the kidneys (which control the reproductive system) and liver.