4 Ways To Use Jujube In Your Nightly Routine For Better-Quality Sleep

From blackout curtains to meditation, there's plenty you can do to encourage a good night's sleep. And if you're looking to amp up your pre-bed routine, we have another thing to add to the list. Enter: jujube. Here's what to know about this sleep-promoting fruit, plus four ways to incorporate it into your nighttime routine.

Convinced yet? Here are a few ways to start reaping the benefits of this stellar little Chinese date:

One way to incorporate jujube into your nightly routine is to sip on a tea that incorporates the fruit. To make your own tea, combine a pound of dried jujube (which you can find online, in most Asian markets, and potentially at the farmers market if you live in the southern U.S.), a gallon of water, and a few slices of ginger in a large pot. Simmer up to four hours and start sipping as you begin winding down in the evening.

The easiest and most convenient way to reap the sleep benefits of jujube is by taking it as a supplement, like mbg's sleep support+. Along with two other sleep-promoting compounds—magnesium bisglycinate and PharmaGABA®—you'll find 225 milligrams of jujube fruit extract in every serving. When combined, these ingredients create a nonhormonal sleep aid that's super effective at helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.* With 300+ happy reviews from customers getting great sleep every night, the results speak for themselves.

Sub some dried jujube into any of these nighttime-friendly snacks that won't spike blood sugar for a sweet touch. Or, opt for fresh jujube if you can find it, using it as you would on an apple (in salads, in jujube "butter"—the options are endless). The jujube fruit4 delivers vitamin C, potassium, and an array of other essential nutrients.

And last but not least, if you're keen to get in touch with a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, or simply want to source your jujube from someone reputable, trusted TCM practitioners can give you a sour jujube decoction, which will likely be either in a liquid or powder form for you to take. Decoctions allow you to consume certain plant extracts, and a TCM practitioner can help you find the right one for your needs.

The world is chock-full of amazing plants that can support so many aspects of our health. And when it comes to getting quality sleep, if you've yet to discover jujube, consider this your sign to go get some.