Date

Phoenix dactylifera

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a traditional tree native to the Middle East and North Africa, with a long history of cultivation for its fruit. Traditionally, dates have been used in various cultural practices but specific medicinal uses are not well-documented. Scientific studies on date palms have primarily focused on their agronomic and nutritional aspects rather than medicinal applications. Research has shown that water washing can effectively reduce non-systemic pesticide residues in Mazafati dates, while trunk injection of iron and zinc improved fruit traits and leaf mineral status in "Mazafati" date palm, though nutrient antagonisms were observed. Additionally, Medjool date-based protein bars have been found to have a consistent nutritional profile with high protein content and antioxidant activity. Tissue culture-derived date palms exhibited differential DNA methylation patterns compared to offshoot controls, indicating cultivar-specific genetic variations. Safety concerns for the date palm are minimal; no major issues have been recorded. Similarly, there is no evidence of significant drug interactions involving date palms in current scientific literature.

At a glance
Best evidence
D
Cautions

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The study developed a DESI-TOF MS method for monitoring pesticides and their metabolites in Mazafati dates, showing water washing reduces non-systemic pesticide residues. D PMID
  • Trunk injection of Fe (150 g L-1) and Zn (4 g L-1) improved fruit traits and leaf mineral status in "Mazafati" date palm, though nutrient antagonisms were observed. D PMID
  • The study found that Medjool date-based protein bars had a consistent nutritional profile with high protein content and antioxidant activity. D PMID
  • The study identified several bioactive compounds in Phoenix dactylifera extracts, with some showing moderate antibacterial activity and selective anticholinesterase inhibition. D PMID
  • Date palm tissue culture-derived plants showed differential DNA methylation patterns compared to offshoot controls, with cultivar-specific enrichment of methylated and hypomethylated genes. D PMID
  • This study identified chitinolytic bacterial strains from Phoenix dactylifera bark that showed larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Date?

Date (Phoenix dactylifera) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about Date?

6 sourced findings are recorded for Date; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study developed a DESI-TOF MS method for monitoring pesticides and their metabolites in Mazafati dates, showing water washing reduces non-systemic pesticide residues.

How strong is the evidence for Date?

The strongest finding for Date carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Date safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Date in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Date interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Date in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Date?

Date is also known as: финик пальчатый, Dattier.

Is Date a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Development, nutritional profiling, physicochemical properties, computational protein-polyphenol interactions, and sensory properties of high-energy Medjool date bars. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Exploitation of Endemic Extremophilic Microbial Strains Isolated from Date Palm Fibrillium in the Saoura Region (Southwest Algeria) as Potential Biocontrol Agents Against Mosquitoes. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 The Effect of Iron, Zinc, and Calcium Trunk and Root Injections on Fruit Characteristics and Leaf Mineral Content in "Mazafati" Date Palm. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Monitoring of non-systemic and systemic pesticides and date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit metabolites using DESI-TOF MS. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Detection of differential DNA methylation in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) vitroplants using whole genome bisulfite sequencing analysis. literature abstract metadata
  6. T2 Screening of Chemical Profile by Lc-Esi-Ms/Ms and Assessment of Biological Properties of Phoenix dactylifera From Algeria. literature abstract metadata