Hovenia dulcis Thunb. 枳椇子 (Zhijuzi, Oriental Raisin Tree Seed)

Zhijuzi, the ripe fruit or seed of Thunb., has frequently been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and was originally documented in early publications of the Materia Medica of Tang (Xinxiu Bencao). It is also referred to as orange dates and calligonum as it has a curved stalk. The mature fruit is typically harvested in later fall between October and November. Cleaned and dried fruit or seeds can be stored and marketed as commercial products (Editorial Committee of Pharmacopoeia of People’s Republic of China in Chinese herbal medicines. Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, Beijing, 1992).