Dates

Dates belong to the palm family. They can reach a height of approximately 20 metres. Its leaves measure up to 5 metres long. They have spines on the petiole and grow in a fan shape. They have more or less 150 folioles that are 30 cm long and 2 cm wide. Only the female trees can produce fruit. Date palms can tolerate period of dry weather and heat. A hot climate is important to produce high quality dates.

Latin name

Phoenix dactylifera L.

Origin

The origin of the date palm is unknown because it has been widely disseminated since very early in human history. In all likelihood, it first appeared in the region of Iraq.

Used part

The fruit.

Active components

Sugars: dates are rich in natural sugars Fibre (pectin): these components contribute to intestinal transit by acting as a binding agent.

Usage

Dates can be eaten fresh or dried, for example as a healthy and nutritious snack. The leaves and the terminal bud can be eaten cooked. The sap can be used to prepare drinks or syrups. The kernels provide an oil that can be used to prepare cosmetic products and soap. The date palm tree supplies wood for construction. The fruit contains fibre and is nutritious. ₁

Bibliographical references

The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food forthe future?
Al-Shahib W, Marshall RJ.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2003 Jul;54(4):247-59.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12850886
1. Macrophage Activation and Induction of Macrophage Cytotoxicity byPurified Polysaccharide Fractions from the Plant Echinacea purpurea
  Infection and Immunity, Dec. 1984, p. 845-849 Vol. 46, No. 3
  M. Stimpel, A. Proksch, H. Wagner, and M.-l. Lohmann Matthes
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6389368
2. In vitro effects of echinacea and ginseng on naturalkiller and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in healthy subjectsand chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndromepatients.
  See DM, Broumand N, Sahl L, Tilles JG.
  Immunopharmacology. 1997 Jan;35(3):229-35.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9043936
3. Natural killer cells from aging mice treated with extractsfrom Echinacea purpurea are quantitatively and functionallyrejuvenated.
  Currier NL, Miller SC.
  Exp Gerontol. 2000 Aug;35(5):627-39.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10978684
4. Immunopharmacological activity of Echinacea preparationsfollowing simulated digestion on murine macrophages and humanperipheral blood mononuclear cells.
  Rininger JA, Kickner S, Chigurupati P, McLean A, Franck Z.
  J Leukoc Biol. 2000 Oct;68(4):503-10.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11037971
5. Alkylamides of Echinacea purpurea stimulate alveolarmacrophage function in normal rats.
  Goel V, Chang C, Slama JV, Barton R, Bauer R, Gahler R, BasuTK.
  Int Immunopharmacol. 2002 Feb;2(2-3):381-7.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11811940
6. Echinacea stimulates macrophage function in the lung andspleen of normal rats.
  Goel V, Chang C, Slama J, Barton R, Bauer R, Gahler R, BasuT.
  J Nutr Biochem. 2002 Aug;13(8):487.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165361
7. Enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions bymultiple Echinacea species.
  Zhai Z, Liu Y, Wu L, Senchina DS, Wurtele ES, Murphy PA,Kohut ML, Cunnick JE.
  J Med Food. 2007 Sep;10(3):423-34.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17887935
8. Enhancement of natural killer cells and increased survivalof aging mice fed daily Echinacea root extract from youth.
  Brousseau M, Miller SC.
  Biogerontology. 2005;6(3):157-63.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16041619
9. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatmentof the common cold: a meta-analysis.
  Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI.
  Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;7(7):473-80.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17597571
  
  10. Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds:a meta-analysis.
  Schoop R, Klein P, Suter A, Johnston SL.
  Clin Ther. 2006 Feb;28(2):174-83.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16678640
10. Community Herbal Monograph on Echinacea purpurea (l.)Moench, herba recens
  Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products
  Doc. Ref. EMEA/HMPC/104945/2006
  European Medicines Agency:http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2009/12/WC500018263.pdf
11. Planta Med. 1994 Feb;60(1):37-40.
  In vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase byalkamides from Echinacea and Achillea species.
  Müller-Jakic B, Breu W, Pröbstle A, Redl K, Greger H, BauerR.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8134414
12. Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparationsin the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebocontrolled, double-blind clinical trial.
  Brinkeborn RM, Shah DV, Degenring FH.
  Phytomedicine. 1999 Mar;6(1):1-6.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10228604
13. The efficacy of echinacea compound herbal tea preparationon the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms:a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.
  Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB.
  J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Aug;6(4):327-34.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10976979
14. Bioactivity of alkamides isolated from Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench.
  Clifford LJ, Nair MG, Rana J, Dewitt DL.
  Phytomedicine. 2002 Apr;9(3):249-53.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12046867
15. In-vivo and in-vitro anti-inflammatory effect ofEchinacea purpurea and Hypericum perforatum.
  Raso GM, Pacilio M, Di Carlo G, Esposito E, Pinto L, Meli R.
  J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002 Oct;54(10):1379-83.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12396300
16. Antifungal and Anti-inflammatory Activity of the GenusEchinacea
  Merali S.; Binns S.; Paulin-Levasseur M.; Ficker C.; SmithM.; Baum B.; Brovelli E.; Arnason J.T.
  Pharmaceutical Biology Volume 41, Number 6, September 2003 ,pp. 412-420(9)
  Ingenta Connect:http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/phbi/2003/00000041/00000006/art00003
17. A proprietary extract from the Echinacea plant (Echinaceapurpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold.
  Goel V, Lovlin R, Chang C, Slama JV, Barton R, Gahler R,Bauer R, Goonewardene L, Basu TK.
  Phytother Res. 2005 Aug;19(8):689-94.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16177972
18. Macrophage activating effects of new alkamides from theroots of Echinacea species.
  Chen Y, Fu T, Tao T, Yang J, Chang Y, Wang M, Kim L, Qu L,Cassady J, Scalzo R, Wang X.
  J Nat Prod. 2005 May;68(5):773-6.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15921428
  
  20. Alcohol extracts of Echinacea inhibit production ofnitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by macrophages invitro.
  Zhai Z, Haney D, Wu L, Solco A, Murphy PA, Wurtele ES, KohutML, Cunnick JE.
  Food Agric Immunol. 2007 Sep;18(3-4):221-236.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18458735
19. Echinacea species and alkamides inhibit prostaglandinE(2) production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells.
  LaLone CA, Hammer KD, Wu L, Bae J, Leyva N, Liu Y, Solco AK,Kraus GA, Murphy PA, Wurtele ES, Kim OK, Seo KI, Widrlechner MP,Birt DF.
  J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Sep 5;55(18):7314-22.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17696440
20. Echinacea alkylamides modulate induced immune responsesin T-cells.
  Matthias A, Banbury L, Bone KM, Leach DN, Lehmann RP.
  Fitoterapia. 2008 Jan;79(1):53-8. Epub 2007 Aug 11.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17855021
21. Echinacea alkylamides modulate TNF-alpha gene expressionvia cannabinoid receptor CB2 and multiple signal transductionpathways.
  Gertsch J, Schoop R, Kuenzle U, Suter A.
  FEBS Lett. 2004 Nov 19;577(3):563-9.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15556647
22. Efficacy of Echinacea purpurea in patients with a commoncold. A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinicaltrial.
  Schulten B, Bulitta M, Ballering-Brühl B, Köster U, SchäferM.
  Arzneimittelforschung. 2001;51(7):563-8.
  Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11505787