Phoenix, Date palm

Kharjura (Ayurveda)
Khurma (Unani)
Tamar, Balha (Arabic)
'Bra go  འབྲ་གོ  (Tibetan)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Botanical name:
Phoenix dactylifera

Parts used:
Dried Fruit; Black, Yellow, Red, as well as Sweet and Sour varieties are known. The Egyptian is regarded as best.
Date Kernels are occasionally used, primarily in Diacameron Minus and Diacameron Majus

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet

Classifications:
2S. STRENGTHENING.    2U. SUPPURATIVE
3I. APHRODISIAC.    3K. EXPECTORANT.    3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE
4d. PECTORAL.    4e. STOMACHIC.    4j. NERVINE

Uses:
1. Nourishes Qi and Blood:
-restorative, tonic and aphrodisiac.
-Debility, Anemia, for Impotence and Sterility, and to promote Longevity.

2. Benefits the Lungs, Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-chronic Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma
-best suited to cold-type Cough.

3. Gentle Laxative:
-basis for Purgative compounds and for Chronic Constipation, particularly in the old or weak.

4. Resolves Masses:
-adjunct in Cancer treatment

5. Clears Heat and Damp, Resists Poison:
-Dysentery, Infections and for Candida.

6. Externally:
-a paste of the seeds is applied to Corneal opacity.
-fumes from the burning seed are applied to Piles.
-powder or ash of the seeds are applied as a Hemostatic to wounds and are antiseptic.
-Seed powder is useful to clean the Teeth.


Main Combinations:
1. Cough:
i. phlegm-Heat Cough, decoct Sour Dates with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Dates with Figs,  ... available in PRO version
iii. Dates with Figs,  ... available in PRO version
iv. chronic Cough, Dates with  ... available in PRO version
2. Asthma:
i. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
3. Consumption and Yin deficiency:
i. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
4. Aphrodisiac, and to increase Sperm, Dates with  ... available in PRO version
5. Arthritis, Dates with  ... available in PRO version
6. Excess Menstruation, Dates with  ... available in PRO version
7. Threatened Miscarriage:
i. Dates with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Dates with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Fruit
Pectoral Decoction (London, 1650)
Decoction for Asthma (Zacharia)
Syrup of Hyssop Compound (Mesue)
Syrup of Hyssop of Amaran
Electuary of Dates (Diaphoenicum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Hyssop (Diahyssopus) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Pine Nuts (Looch de Pino) (Mesue)
A Sound and Experienced Electuary (Mesue)
Antidotum Asthmaticus (Nicholas)
Diacameron Magna (Diathamaron) (Nicholas)


Cautions:
They are rich and heavy, and can be hard to digest if taken in excess.

Main Preparations used:
Electuary of Dates