Fruits, leaves.
Date plums have a number of uses in traditional folk medicine. Consuming them is said to help against digestive issues like constipation and dysentery, as well as hemorrhoids. It is also useful in cases of hiccups, diarrhea, asthma or lung infections, due to some astringent compounds in its composition. Immature date plum fruits have a cooling effect and can treat constipation. The University of Mazandaran in Iran has studied the fruit's seeds and discovered several important health effects. They act as antihemolytics and antioxidants. Italy's University of Calabria focused on the fruit's potential use as a cancer treatment. The extract was found to hamper the growth of 9 different types of tumours. The date plum tree's leaves are not toxic and have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects. They include a compound named betulinic acid, according to the Encyclopaedia of World Medicinal Plants. This acid is known for its effects against some forms of cancer, especially of the head, brain and neck. It can also kill some leukemia cells and fight ovarian carcinoma. Since ancient times, date plums were known as a cure for lung infections, asthma and other respiratory problems. They can also treat many other conditions, from anxiety and stress to diarrhea and fever.
Date plums are usually consumed raw. However, they also serve as an ingredient in numerous dishes and can add a delicious taste to many combinations. They are commonly prepared as a jam, mixed with sugar and a bit of lemon. These fruits are also well suited for bakery products, in particular pies and cakes. They are an excellent ingredient in breakfast combinations, combined with oats, granolas or various cereals.
The date plum tree is widespread in the Caucasus Mountains, at low and average altitudes. In most places it doesn't grow higher than 600 m above sea level, except in Central Asia, where it can be found all the way to 2000 m. The date plum is usually mixed with deciduous trees like the ash, maple or hackberry. It needs plenty of light but tolerates poor and rocky soils. Besides its native range, date plum is cultivated today in other parts of the world, such as the US, Pakistan and North Africa. Date plum trees are extremely common in the region where the borders of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan meet. In that area, date plum ripens at the start of spring, during the months of January and February. Date plum also grows at elevations between 2500 and 6000 feet in cold areas of the Himalayan Mountains. Date plum thrives in locations with sun or light shade, as well as deep soils. Date plum tree doesn't like soils with poor drainage or too much moisture and enjoys dry warm weather and a sheltered position. The date plum is a dioecious species, which means that every plant has both male and female elements. As a result, it can reproduce without the need for pollination or any other external action. Seeds are viable and are also the most common way to propagate the tree. Seedlings germinate readily when covered with soil but grow slowly and might need up to half a year to emerge from it. The best moment to plant them is at temperatures around 15 Celsius degrees, at the start of the year.