There are different types of domestic palm trees. They all are very lucrative commercially. They are also very good health wise. I will only talk about very few of them in this write up.
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm,[2] is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from the Fertile Crescent region straddling between Egypt and Mesopotamia.[3] The species is widely cultivated across Northern Africa, Middle East and South Asia, and is naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Date palm trees typically reach about 21–23 metres (69–75 ft) in height,[7] growing singly or forming a clump with several stems from a single root system.
Date fruits (dates) are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) long, and about an inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, ranging from bright red to bright yellow in color, depending on variety. They are very sweet, containing about 75 percent of sugar when dried.
Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in Arabia from the 6th millennium BCE. The total annual world production of dates amounts to 8.5 million metric tons, countries of the Middle East and North Africa being the largest producers
The species name dactylifera "date-bearing" comes from the Greek words daktylos (δάκτυλος), which means "date" (also "finger") and fero(φέρω), which means "I bear". The fruit is known as a date. The fruit's English name (through Old French), as well as the Latin both come from the Greek word for "finger", dáktulos, because of the fruit's elongated shape.
Fossil records show that the date palm has existed for at least 50 million years.
Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia between 5530 and 5320 BC They are believed to have originated around what is now Iraq, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians used the fruits to make date wine, and ate them at harvest.
There is archeological evidence of date cultivation in Mehrgarh around 7000 BCE, a Neolithic civilization in what is now western Pakistan. Evidence of cultivation is continually found throughout later civilizations in the Indus Valley, including the Harappan period 2600 to 1900 BCE.]
In Ancient Rome the palm fronds used in triumphal processions to symbolize victory were most likely those of Phoenix dactylifera. The date palm was a popular garden plant in Roman peristyle gardens, though it would not bear fruit in the more temperate climate of Italy.[16] It is recognizable in frescoes from Pompeii and elsewhere in Italy, including a garden scene from the House of the Wedding of Alexander
In later times, traders spread dates around South West Asia, northern Africa, and Spain. Dates were introduced into Mexico and California by the Spaniards in 1765, around Mission San Ignacio.
A date palm cultivar, probably what used to be called Judean date palm, is renowned for its long-lived orthodox seed, which successfully sprouted after accidental storage for 2000 years.[18] The upper survival time limit of properly stored seeds remains unknown.
Date trees typically reach about 21–23 metres (69–75 ft) in height,[7] growing singly or forming a clump with several stems from a single root system. The leaves are 4–6 metres (13–20 ft) long, with spines on the petiole, and pinnate, with about 150 leaflets. The leaflets are 30 cm (12 in) long and 2 cm (0.79 in) wide. The full span of the crown ranges from 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
The date palm is dioecious, having separate male and female plants. They can be easily grown from seed, but only 50% of seedlings will be female and hence fruit bearing, and dates from seedling plants are often smaller and of poorer quality. Most commercial plantations thus use cuttings of heavily cropping cultivars. Plants grown from cuttings will fruit 2–3 years earlier than seedling plants.
Dates are naturally wind pollinated, but in both traditional oasis horticulture and in the modern commercial orchards they are entirely pollinated manually. Natural pollination occurs with about an equal number of male and female plants. However, with assistance, one male can pollinate up to 100 females. Since the males are of value only as pollinators, this allows the growers to use their resources for many more fruit-producing female plants. Some growers do not even maintain any male plants, as male flowers become available at local markets at pollination time. Manual pollination is done by skilled labourers on ladders, or by use of a wind machine. In some areas such as Iraq the pollinator climbs the tree using a special climbing tool that wraps around the tree trunk and the climber's back to keep him attached to the trunk while climbing.
Dates are an important traditional crop in Iraq, Arabia, and north Africa west to Morocco. Dates (especially Medjool and Deglet Noor) are also cultivated in America in southern California, Arizona and southern Florida in the United States and in Sonora and Baja California in Mexico.
Date palms can take 4 to 8 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and start producing viable yields for commercial harvest between 7 and 10 years. Mature date palms can produce 150–300 lb (70–140 kg) of dates per harvest season, although they do not all ripen at the same time so several harvests are required. In order to get fruit of marketable quality, the bunches of dates must be thinned and bagged or covered before ripening so that the remaining fruits grow larger and are protected from weather and pests such as birds.
Date palms require well-drained deep sandy loam soils with pH 8-11. The soil should have the ability to hold the moisture. The soil should also be free from calcium carbonate
A major palm pest, the red palm beetle (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) currently poses a significant threat to date production in parts of the Middle East as well as to iconic landscape specimens throughout the Mediterranean world.
In the 1920s, eleven healthy Madjool palms were transferred from Morocco to the United States where they were tended by members of the Chemehuevi tribe in a remote region of Nevada. Nine of these survived and in 1935, cultivars were transferred to the "U.S. Date Garden" in Indio, California. Eventually this stock was reintroduced to Africa and led to the U.S. production of dates in Yuma, Arizona and the Bard Valley in California
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Dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand, or may be pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, candied orange and lemonpeel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. Pitted dates are also referred to as stoned dates. Partially dried pitted dates may be glazed with glucose syrup for use as a snack food. Dates can also be chopped and used in a range of sweet and savory dishes, from tajines (tagines) in Morocco to puddings, ka'ak (types of Arab cookies) and other dessert items. Date nut bread, a type of cake, is very popular in the United States, especially around holidays. Dates are also processed into cubes, paste called "'ajwa", spread, date syrup or "honey" called "dibs" or "rub" in Libya, powder (date sugar), vinegar or alcohol. Vinegar made from dates is a traditional product of the Middle East. Recent innovations include chocolate-covered dates and products such as sparkling date juice, used in some Islamic countries as a non-alcoholic version of champagne, for special occasions and religious times such as Ramadan. When Muslims break fast in the evening meal of Ramadan, it is traditional to eat a date first.
Reflecting the maritime trading heritage of Britain, imported chopped dates are added to, or form the main basis of a variety of traditional dessert recipes including sticky toffee pudding, Christmas pudding and date and walnut loaf. They are particularly available to eat whole at Christmas time. Dates are one of the ingredients of HP Sauce, a popular British condiment.
Dates can also be dehydrated, ground and mixed with grain to form a nutritious stockfeed.
In Southeast Spain (where a large date plantation exists including UNESCO-protected Palmeral of Elche) dates (usually pitted with fried almond) are served wrapped in bacon and shallow fried.
In Israel date syrup, termed "silan", is used while cooking chicken and also for sweet and desserts, and as a honey substitute.
Dates are one of the ingredients of Jallab, a Middle-Eastern fruit syrup.
In Pakistan, a viscous, thick syrup made from the ripe fruits is used as a coating for leather bags and pipes to prevent leaking.
Dates provide a wide range of essential nutrients, and are a very good source of dietary potassium. The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%;
Dietary fiber: Fat; Protein; Vitamins; Phosphorus; Potassium; Sodium; Zinc; Energy; Carbohydrates; Sugars;Riboflavin (B2); Niacin (B3); Pantothenic; acid (B5); Vitamin B6; Folate (B9); Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamin; Calcium; Iron; Magnesium; and Maganese
Date seeds are soaked and ground up for animal feed. Their oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics. Date palm seeds contain 0.56–5.4% lauric acid. They can also be processed chemically as a source of oxalic acid. Date seeds are also ground and used in the manner of coffee beans, or as an additive to coffee. Experimental studies have shown that feeding mice with the aqueous extract of date pits exhibit anti-genotoxic and reduce DNA damage induced by N-nitroso-N-methylurea.
Stripped fruit clusters are used as brooms. Recently the floral stalks have been found to be of ornamental value in households.
Date palm leaves are used for Palm Sunday in the Christian religion. In North Africa, they are commonly used for making huts. Mature leaves are also made into mats, screens, baskets and fans. Processed leaves can be used for insulating board. Dried leaf petioles are a source of cellulose pulp, used for walking sticks, brooms, fishing floats and fuel. Leaf sheaths are prized for their scent, and fibre from them is also used for rope, coarse cloth, and large hats. The leaves are also used as a lulav in the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Young date leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, as is the terminal bud or heart, though its removal kills the palm. The finely ground seeds are mixed with flour to make bread in times of scarcity. The flowers of the date palm are also edible. Traditionally the female flowers are the most available for sale and weigh 300–400 grams (11–14 oz). The flower buds are used in salad or ground with dried fish to make a condiment for bread.
Dates are mentioned more than 50 times in the Bible and 20 times in the Qur'an. In Islamic culture, dates and yogurt or milk are traditionally the first foods consumed for Iftar after the sun has set during Ramadan.
The date palm represents the provincial tree of Balochistan (Pakistan) (unofficial).
In the Quran, Allah instructs Maryām (the Virgin Mary) to eat dates when she gives birth to Isa (Jesus); and, similarly, they are recommended to pregnant women
Phoenix dactylifera held great significance in early Judaism and subsequently in Christianity, in part because the tree was heavily cultivated as a food source in ancient Israel In the Bible palm trees are referenced as symbols of prosperity and triumph. In Psalm 92:12 "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree". Palm branches occurred as iconography in sculpture ornamenting the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, on Jewish coins, and in the sculpture of synagogues. They are also used as ornamentation in the Feast of the Tabernacles.[36] Palm branches were scattered before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Mazlan didn't think much about fitness and health before, but as age crept up on him he realized the importance of staying fit and healthy.
$ Date Palm, the Tree of Life
You may be familiar with date fruits that are nutritious and healthy but do you know that date palm, the tree that produces date fruits, is the oldest fruit-bearing tree on earth?
And do you know that date palm is also the source of medicine and building materials for the Bedouin Arabs that live in the desert?
This tree of life was even mentioned in several Jewish, Christian and Islamic writings and was an important part of many religious ceremonies. It was even considered sacred by the early civilizations of the Babylonians and Phoenicians.
Let us explore and find out more about the benefits and uses of date palms.
The Bedouins, who live in the desert depends on the date palm tree for many of its daily needs including for medicine.
The Middle Eastern traditional medicine hence came from the Bedouins who use various parts of date palm tree to treat a variety of ailments.
This traditional herbal remedy is claimed to work wonders and some of them are as follows:
In the open-air market in some parts of Saudi Arabia, you will find young unripe green dates (and the dried version) sold as fertility foods. I was told by these 'street vendors' that the Bedouin will boil the young unripe green dates or the dried version and drink the water to help them conceived. It tastes bitter and may not be easy to consume but if your desire is to conceive, it is worth giving it a try.
In another market, instead of the green unripe dates, the street vendors were selling date flower, which they claimed is more effective.
I have read that certain fruits including dates can improve the chances of conceiving. There is also an article that claimed date tree pollen can yield estrogenic principle that stimulates the function of the female ovaries and for male, the testes.
These could be the reasons why the seller at the second market claimed that date flower is more effective.
I have not read any articles on the effectiveness of young unripe green dates but if ripe dates can improve chances of conceiving, then I guess the unripe fruits may have the same ingredients to help you conceive.
You can try both just to be certain. There is no harm in trying as it is a plant-based food and not a drug.
Fertility-boosting ingredients are usually proteins that come from plant sources. It must also be rich in antioxidants, folate, iron, and calcium. These are all present in dates and even more potent in the unripe dates.
Therapeutic effects of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) in the prevention of diseases via modulation of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-tumour activity Introduction
Cancer and diabetes is an economical burden worldwide. The exact cause of the development of these types of diseases/disorder is not known completely but it might be due to the genetic alteration and metabolic disturbance [1-7]. The treatment approach for the cancer and diabetes based on allopath is expensive and also shows an adverse effect. Alternative approach as safe, effective and affordable is needed to control the disease development and progression. Natural products are a good remedy as they are inexpensive and easy to access without any complications. In Islam, herbs and its constituents has important value in diet and treatment of various types of diseases. The Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) used various herbs and recommended various medicinal plants for cure of various diseases [8,9].
Dates fruits are used as staple food in the Middle East for thousands of years (Figure 1). Various types of dates are found worldwide mainly Khodry, Khalas, Ruthana, Sukkary, Sefri, Segae, Ajwa, Hilali and Munifi (Figure 2) and each type of dates has shown medicinal value in various type of disease prevention. Dates and their constituents show a role in diseases prevention through anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial activity.
Antioxidant activity is recognized due to the wide range of phenolic compounds present in dates including p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids, flavonoids, and procyanidins [10,11]. Other study showed that palm date fruits constitutes thirteen flavonoid glycosides of luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin at different stages of maturity [12,13]. Ajwa, types of dates that is only cultivated in Saudi Arabia/Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and have significant value in several types of diseases cure and also show protective role in hepatic toxicity [14]. In this review, dates fruits has medicinal value are summarized in terms of therapeutic implications in the various types of diseases through anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous and ant-diabetic character.
Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are one of the members of the palm family Arecaceae, or Palmae [15]. The species name dactylifera “date-bearing” originate from two words; one from greek dáktulos “date” [16] and the stem of the Greek verb ferō [17]. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of oldest cultivated plants of human kind and used as food for 6000 years [18]. There are more than two hundred varieties [19] of dates available worldwide. It is the main crop in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Middle Eastern countries. It is thought that the native origin of dates is around the Persian Gulf, and has been cultivated from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt as early as 4000 BCE. Due to the old historical prospective of date, the exact date of origin is very difficult to identify [20]. Most likely it originated 4000 BC from the ancient Mesopotamia area (southern Iraq) or western India [21]. Another report regarding the origin of dates is pre-Islamic archaeology; south-eastern Arabia was predicated upon the domestication of the date palm in 2500 BC [22]. Over all the origin of dates is very old as per the information from the religious books and literature reports. Another support of the ancient times of the date palm is Egypt’s Nile Valley where it was used as the symbol for a year in Egyptian hieroglyphics and its frond as a symbol for a month [23]. Earlier report also showed that old background of dates as date cultivation in Mehrgarh around 7000 BCE and in the Indus Valley around 2600 to 1900 BCE [24]. The fruits of dates has important place in religion. In Islam dates fruits are used to break the day long fast during the holy month of Ramadan [25]. The Jews believe the date as one of the seven holy fruits and they celebrate Palm Sunday.
Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said that the best assets is date palm, dates cure several disorders, and he suggested Muslims to eat the date and have a tendency the date palm [26]. The importance of dates has been documented in the Qur’an in Surah Maryam. One significant role of dates comes as when Mary gave birth to the Prophet Jesus (may peace be upon Him) under a palm tree, she heard a voice telling her: “Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards thee: it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon thee. Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be gladdened!” (Qur’an 19: 25-26). Ajwa is a types of dates, cultivated only in Saudi Arabia/Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and have significant value in diseases cure. The health benefit of Ajwa dates has been documented in hadith as Saud (R.A) narrated that I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “If Somebody takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day [27]”.
Antioxidants are chemicals/materials that interact and deactivate the free radicals, therefore preventing them from causing harm. The prevention of actions of free radical is important step in the management of disease. Medicinal plants and their constituents play a vital and significant action to neutralize or inhibit the free radical by the use of antioxidant activity. Experimental studies support the role of reactive oxygen species in cancer and dietary antioxidants as well as endogenous antioxidants shows a vital role as cancer preventive agents via neutralization of reactive oxygen species [28,29]. Another study also showed that plant phenolic compounds including flavonoids are effective antioxidants with reported anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic effects [30,31]. Dates fruits have high composition of carbohydrates, salts and minerals, dietary fibre, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acid gives a unique value in human nutrition [25]. On the Other side, date pit powders are a source of choice to people preferring a non-caffeinated coffee with coffee-related flavor [32]. Date palms play a significant role in neutralization of free radical and finally suppress the various types of diseases development and progression. Earlier investigation found that palm date has a potent ability to suppress free radicals [33,34].
A recent report showed that aqueous extracts of dates have antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-mutagenic activity [10,35-37]. An important finding showed that dates constitutes good source of antioxidant [38] and another study has shown that dates have the highest concentration of polyphenols among the dried fruits [39]. The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds is a result of their redox properties, which can play an important role in absorbing and neutralizing free radicals [40]. Phytochemical show significant antioxidant capacities and antioxidant capability in lowering the prevalence and lower mortality rates of cancer [41].
Another finding in the support of dates as antioxidant reported that dates are a good source of antioxidants due to the carotenoids and phenolics with quantity 3942 mg/100 g and antioxidants constituents 80400 μmol/100 g [13]. A recent study examined the antioxidant activities in different type of dates such as Fard, Khasab and Khalas and showed that Khalas is measured to be best quality, had higher antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and bound phenolic acids than # other types of dates [33].
An important study based on special type of dates; has shown significant antioxidant activity and caused a significant reversal of the lead-induced changes in the oxidative biomarkers in serum and also Ajwa dated extract has a tissue protective effect via a free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties [42].
Another study has shown that polyphenol concentration in different types of dates and total polyphenols in Ajaw dates water extract (455.88 mg/100 g) was the highest as compared to other verities such as sukkari (377.66 mg/100 g) and khalas (238.54 mg/100 g) and same pattern were noticed in alcohol extract as high polyphenol in Ajwa dates [43].
Cancer is a multi-factorial diseases and economical burden worldwide. The alteration in normal mechanism of action of genes is a major culprit in the development and progression of cancer [44-47]. There are numerous chemopreventive agents used to cure various types of diseases including cancer. But these drugs show an adverse side effect through alteration in gene normal action. The current treatment based on radiotherapy and chemotherapy is effective but also shows adverse consequences. Constituents of medicinal plants such as flavanoid and phenol play a significant role in cancer control through the regulation of genetic pathways without any side effect [48-50]. The dates fruits constituents has shown the antitumour activity but its exact mechanism of action of dates and their constituents in the prevention of tumour is not known exactly.
Earlier studies reported that beta D-glucan from dates has shown antitumour activity [51]. Study on animal model showed that glucans, constituents of date fruits exhibited a dose dependant anticancer activity with an optimum activity at a dose of 1 mg/kg in tumour [52]. Another important study has also shown that anti-tumor activity for date glucan [53].
Study on Ajwa showed a protective effect and ameliorated the lesions of Ochratoxin nephero toxicity which might lead to kidney failure [54]. An experimental study reported that severity of the histological lesions as well as the serum levels of total bilirubin and ALT enzyme activity were greatly reduced in rats pre-treated with Ajwa dates extract before ochratoxin A(OTA), compared with OTA-treated rats [14].
The date’s constituents show a vital effect in the inhibition of phase I enzymes such as CYP450 and enhance the activity of phase II enzyme. An experimental study showed that the antigenotoxicity of date pits is due to its ability to scavenge the alkyl radical or inhibit the aromatase activity of cytochrome P-450 or blocking the reaction between methane diazonium ion and DNA [55].
The incidence of drug resistance against microbial pathogens is increasing significantly worldwide. Bacterial resistance against antimicrobial agents is one of the major difficulties in treatment.
The present mode of treatment of bacterial infection/disease is based on antibiotics, which is expensive and also causes adverse side effects. Natural products and their constituents is good approach in the control of infection as they are inexpensive, effective without side effects. Phoenix dactylifera and its constituents play a significant effect in the prevention or treatment of bacterial diseases.
An important study showed that the effect of methanol and acetone extracts of leaves and pits Phoenix dactylifera inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum, Fusarium sp., F. solani, A. alternata, Alternaria sp [56].
Some other important finding showed that methanol and acetone extracts of the P. dactylifera pits reasonably inhibited the growth of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria [57,58]. Another recent study in the support of p. dactilifera effect as antimicrobial on Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli and also showed a role in reducing the side effects due to the use of drugs as methylprednisolone [59].
Another study also showed that Phoneix dactylifera extract has antibacterial effect against E. fecalis, indicating that this extract can be used for treating enteric diseases [59].
Diabetes mellitus is one of the common metabolic disorders, and 2.8% of the population suffers from this disease throughout the world [60]. The current mode of treatment of diabetes and its complication Diabetic Retinopathy based on synthetic medicines/oral hypoglycemic agents is effective but also shows adverse effect and alter the metabolic and genetic pathways. Natural products and their constituents is a good approach in the control of diabetes as they are less toxic and free from side effects than synthetic ones. Plants and their constituents play a significant role in the management of diabetes and its complication including Diabetic Retinopathy via modulation of metabolic and molecular pathways [61,62]. Plants also show significant effects to manage the function of pancreatic tissues via an increase in insulin production and inhibit the intestinal absorption of glucose [63]. The exact mode of action of dates in the control of diabetes is not fully understood but it might be due to increases the output of insulin and inhibit absorption of glucose. Various active compounds present in Phoenix Dactylifera Extract (PDE) such as flavenoids, steroids, phenol and saponines, which play a role as anti-diabetic and these compounds from other plants, also scavenge the free radical liberated by alloxan in diabetic rat. A recent study on flavonoid compounds from date fruits epicarp showed that this compound play a significant role in the improvement of the different biochemical results in diabetic rats [64].
An experimental study showed that oral administration of PDE and its fractions improved body weight via decreased water intake and caused hypoglycaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [65]. Another important study showed that consumption of dates may be of benefit in glycaemic and lipid control of diabetic patients [66].
Inflammation is one of the important physiologic defence mechanisms against various factors such as infection, burn, toxic chemicals, allergens and other stimuli [67]. The unbalance inflammatory process shows a vital role in development and progression of various diseases. Transcription factors LOX and NF-kB play a significant role in the inflammation, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Regulation of transcription factors is important and critical step in the prevention of disease. Inhibitors of transcription factors showed a vital role in the prevention of action of transcription factors. Unfortunately, presently used inhibitors shows an adverse effect and are also expensive. Natural products are a good remedy in the suppression of NF-kB and acts as anti-inflammatory agents. Earlier studies have shown that constituents of plants such as phenolics and flavonoids act as excellent anti-inflammatory agents [68]. Date fruits play a significant role as anti-inflammatory and recent report on the Ajwa dates showed that ethyl acetate, methanolic, and water extracts of Ajwa dates inhibit the lipid peroxidation cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX2 [69]. A study in animal model showed that Phoenix dactylifera pollen has potential protective effect via modulation of cytokines expressions [70]. Another important finding in the support of dates fruits reported that the methanolic extract of edible portion of the fruit showed a vital role in reducing foot swelling and plasma fibrinogen [71]. A study in the support of dates as anti-inflammatory showed that the leaves of dates can be considered as a good source of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammation drugs [72].
An important report of extracts of the flesh and pits of Phoenix dactylifera in gentamicin treated nephrotoxicity rat model showed significantly reduced the increase in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations induced and ameliorated the proximal tubular damage [73].
Plants and their constituents play a significant role as pain-relievers and also cause relaxation in childbirth. Several medicinal plants show an effect in the stimulation of all phase of labor. A study in the support of medicinal plants role in labor showed that several plants have contractile properties on uterine myometrial cells [74]. Another study also showed that raspberry leaf play role in labor relaxation [75]. An important and first study on the dates role in labor has shown that dates showed a significant effect as higher mean cervical dilatation, reduced the induction and labor rise in women who ate dates fruits as compared to non-date fruit consumers [76].
Dates fruits have unique constituents and each constituent play a role in the management of diseases and fertility. Dates; a fruits with good taste and gives a hope for the person who has infertility or problem in reproductive system. Numerous studies or reports are in the support of dates in solving the problem of infertility. Earlier investigators have shown that micro elements from date palm polen extract (DPP) such as estrone, sterols, and other agents that influence male fertility [77,78]. A study based on animal model showed that DPP contains cholesterol, rutin, carotenoids, as estrone which is recognized to explain gonadotrophin action in the rat [79]. An important finding showed that DPP concentrations up to 120 mg/kg showed the best effects on sperm parameters [80] and DPP suspension increases the plasma levels of estradiol and testosterone [80].
The current treatment approach for the diseases prevention such as cancer and diabetes based on synthetic drugs is expensive, shows unwanted adverse effects; alter the genetic and metabolic pathways. Thus, a safe, effective, affordable approach is needed to control the disease development and progression. Dates and their constituents are a good remedy as they are inexpensive, effective and easy to access. Earlier finding showed that therapeutic effect of dates in the diseases management via anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. Dates fruits in the control of disease create optimism towards the novel therapeutic strategy. Keeping all information in hand as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour, further research based on clinical trial and animal model is required to authenticate the exact mechanism the of action of dates and their constituents in diseases prevention.
