According to relevant surveys, approximately 340 million adults in my country suffer from insomnia, and sleep disorders are showing a trend towards younger age groups and chronicity. As "getting a good night's sleep" becomes a luxury, people are turning to nature and traditional remedies, seeking safe and effective solutions. Among many sleep aids, a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient called "Ziziphus jujuba seed" stands out, hailed as the "Oriental sleep-inducing fruit" and "insomnia nemesis."

What is Ziziphus jujuba seed?

Ziziphus jujuba seed is the dried mature seed of the Ziziphus jujuba plant, a member of the Rhamnaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces, with the "Xingtai Ziziphus jujuba seed" from Xingtai, Hebei, being particularly renowned for its large size, plumpness, and purplish-red color. Ziziphus jujuba seed is sweet and sour in taste, neutral in nature, and acts on the liver, gallbladder, and heart meridians. It is a famous tranquilizing and calming herb in traditional Chinese medicine.

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Ziziphus jujuba seed has the functions of nourishing the heart and liver, calming the mind and spirit, astringing sweat, and generating body fluids. It is especially suitable for symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, and excessive dreaming caused by deficiency of yin blood in the heart and liver, and lack of nourishment of the spirit. Simply put, when our bodies consume too much "yin blood" due to fatigue and excessive thinking, and the heart and spirit are not nourished, we become restless and suffer from insomnia. At this time, Ziziphus jujuba seed can exert its effect of "nourishing the blood and calming the heart and mind," helping us regain peaceful sleep.

What are the core components of Ziziphus jujuba seed extract?

Ziziphus jujuba saponins: This is one of the main active components of Ziziphus jujuba seed, including Ziziphus jujuba saponin A and B. They can act on the central nervous system, regulating the balance of neurotransmitters, thereby producing a significant sedative and hypnotic effect.

Flavonoids: Such as spinosin, these components also have good sedative and calming effects and can synergistically enhance the effects of saponins.

Fatty acids and oils: Ziziphus jujuba seed is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid. These components are not only beneficial to cardiovascular health but also participate in its sedative and anti-anxiety effects. 
Polysaccharides and alkaloids: These components play an important role in regulating immunity, combating depression, and providing antioxidant effects.

What is Ziziphus jujuba good for?

Calming the nerves and improving sleep quality
This is the most well-known effect of Ziziphus jujuba seeds. It can effectively shorten the time to fall asleep, extend sleep duration, and deepen sleep. Ziziphus jujuba seeds are especially suitable for insomnia caused by deficiency of heart and liver blood or internal heat. The classic traditional Chinese medicine formula "Suanzaoren Tang" (Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Decoction) uses stir-fried Ziziphus jujuba seeds as the main ingredient, specifically to treat "insomnia due to deficiency and restlessness."

Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant, relieving emotional stress
Modern life is stressful, and anxiety and depression are ever-present. Studies show that the polysaccharides and flavonoids in Ziziphus jujuba seeds can improve chronic depressive behavior and regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain, thus playing an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant role, helping to soothe tense nerves.

Protecting the cardiovascular system, regulating blood pressure and blood lipids
Ziziphus jujuba seeds also have a direct protective effect on the heart. They can enhance myocardial contractility, regulate blood pressure, lower blood lipids, and help prevent atherosclerosis. This has positive preventive significance for the cardiovascular problems prevalent in modern people.

Enhancing immunity and antioxidant effects
Ziziphus jujuba seed extract can promote antibody production and enhance the body's immune capacity. At the same time, its antioxidant components can scavenge free radicals in the body, reduce oxidative stress damage, thus playing a role in delaying aging and protecting cells.

What are the advantages of Ziziphus jujuba seed extract compared to the raw herb?

More precise components and clearer efficacy
Ziziphus jujuba seed extract, through modern technology, concentrates and standardizes the active ingredients, ensuring that the content of active ingredients in each batch of product remains stable. This avoids the fluctuations in efficacy caused by differences in origin and year of the raw herb, making its effects more precise and controllable.

More efficient absorption and more convenient use
The extract removes a large amount of fiber and impurities from the herb, resulting in a smaller volume and easier absorption by the human body. At the same time, it can be directly added to various dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, and functional beverages, making it more convenient and faster to use than decocting the raw herb, and more in line with modern people's lifestyles. Wider Applications and Great Cross-Industry Potential
Jujube seed extract is not only used in pharmaceuticals but can also be widely applied in functional foods, health supplements, and even cosmetics. For example, adding it to sleep-aid gummies, calming teas, or soothing face masks can greatly expand its application scenarios and benefit more people.

How to Choose High-Quality Jujube Seed Extract?

For companies with procurement needs, choosing high-quality jujube seed extract is crucial. Consider the following aspects:
Origin:  Prioritize raw materials from authentic producing areas such as Hebei and Shaanxi provinces to ensure quality from the source.
Process: Advanced extraction and separation technologies (such as supercritical fluid extraction and macroporous resin adsorption) can better preserve active ingredients and ensure the product is free of solvent residues.
Standards: The product should comply with the National Pharmacopoeia or relevant industry standards and have complete product testing reports (COA).

Xi'an Sost Biotech Co., Ltd. is a professional supplier of plant extracts. We are committed to providing high-quality jujube seed extract and other natural health ingredients to global customers.

Our products undergo strict quality control to ensure high active ingredient content, good purity, and consistent batches, meeting your R&D and production needs in various fields such as food, health supplements, and pharmaceuticals.

If you are looking for a reliable partner for jujube seed extract, please feel free to contact us. Our professional team will be happy to provide you with product consultation, technical support, and customized services.

Email: ericyang@xasost.com

References
National Medical Security Administration. (2025). Why is "Jujube Seed" so noteworthy? Beijing Century Altar Hospital. (2024). Beijing Pharmacist | Jujube Seed: The Insomnia Buster.
MedSci.cn. (2025). The Multi-component "Dialogue" of Jujube Seed: Understanding its Multiple Effects on Sleep, Heart Protection, and Anti-anxiety in One Article.
Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.  Discussion on Jujube Seed as a Food and Medicine.
Popular Health Newspaper Science Popularization Website. (2025). Traditional Chinese Medicine Jujube Seed: Identification of Authenticity and Usage Guidance.
Hainan Provincial Market Supervision Administration. (2024). "How Much Do You Know About Traditional Chinese Medicine" Science Popularization Series (Part Four) — Jujube Seed.
Guangdong Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Website. (2026). Medicinal Food Recommendation | Jujube Seed: Nourishing the Heart and Liver, Calming the Mind and Soothing the Nerves.