The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) likely originated in the Fertile Crescent, and fossil records show this plant dates back 50 million years. Today it is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
What is Date Palm Used For?
Date Palm fruit has been a staple in the Middle East for thousands of years, and today it is made into syrup, paste, vinegar, sugar and wine.
Date Palm fruit is high in carbohydrates (44-88%) and fiber (up to 11.5%), while being low in fat (0.2-0.5%). These sweet fruits are easily digested and contain numerous minerals, including selenium, copper, potassium and magnesium. Date palm fruit also contains the fat-soluble vitamins A and K.
Parts Used
fruit
Additional Resources
Al-Shahib W, Marshall RJ. “The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food for the future?” Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2003 Jul;54(4):247-59. Al-Farsi MA, Lee CY. “Nutritional and functional properties of dates: a review.” Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008 Nov. Miller CJ, Dunn EV, Hashim IB. “Glycemic index of 3 varieties of dates.” Saudi Med J. 2002 May;23(5):536-8.
Important Precautions
If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs, or if you are pregnant, please consult your doctor prior to use.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.
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