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Kharjura

Phoenix dactylifera L.

Kharjura (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a plant drug, also called Kharjuram, Aharjura and Pinda Kharjura, from the Arecaceae (Palmae) family. Recognized by FAO and WHO as a nutritionally important fruit crop.

Key facts
Botanical namePhoenix dactylifera L.
FamilyArecaceae (Palmae) · other entries in this family
OrderArecales
Pharmacopoeia statusRecognized by FAO and WHO as a nutritionally important fruit crop. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Kharjura. Widely used in Unani medicine (Khurma). No dedicated WHO medicinal monograph.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 6109699 · Wikidata Q25292 · NCBI Taxonomy 42345
Names in other languages
Sanskritखर्जूरम् (kharjūram), Aharjura, Pinda Kharjrura, पिण्डखर्जूरम् (piṇḍakharjūram)
Hindiखजूर (khajūra), Pinda
EnglishDate
Tamilபேரீச்சை, Pericham Pazham
MalayalamPrantha Puzam
TeluguKhajur pupandu
KannadaKharjura, Pinda Kharajura
MarathiKhajur
BengaliKhejur
GujaratiKhajur
UrduKhurma (Khajoor)
PunjabiPinda Khajur
OriyaKhejuri

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, monographs "Kharjura (Fresh Fruit)" and "Kharjura (Dried Fruit)" for Phoenix dactylifera Linn., which give Pinda Kharjura as the Sanskrit synonym.; Herbarium JCB / India Flora Online (IISc) Phoenix dactylifera sheet gives Sanskrit "Kharjurah" (खर्जूरः); the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India carries monographs "Kharjura (Fresh Fruit)" and "Kharjura (Dried Fruit)" for Phoenix dactylifera Linn., with Sanskrit synonyms Pinda Kharjura and Aharjura.; Herbarium JCB / India Flora Online (IISc) Phoenix dactylifera sheet gives vernaculars "Kharjurah (Sanskrit); Kajur (Hindi); Kajura (Kannada); Khajuri (Marathi)"; MMPND "Sorting Phoenix names" gives Hindi "Khaji, Khajur, Salma, Sendhi" for P. dactylifera; efloraofindia gives Hindi "Khajur".; MMPND "Sorting Phoenix names" gives Tamil "Karchuram, Perichchankay" for Phoenix dactylifera, and separately "Inchi, Itcham pannai" for Phoenix sylvestris, so the pērīcc- stem is assigned to P. dactylifera specifically.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2016 to 2026, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 8Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 3Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishDate
Latin/BotanicalPhoenix dactylifera L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Antioxidant activity via polyphenol-mediated (proanthocyanidins, flavonoids) free radical scavenging and Nrf2 pathway activation
  • Hepatoprotective effects through phenolic acid-mediated reduction of liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST) and attenuation of oxidative stress
  • Anti-inflammatory action via flavonoid-mediated (apigenin, luteolin) inhibition of NF-kB signaling and COX-2 expression
  • Neuroprotective effects through antioxidant protection against neuronal oxidative damage and modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Aphrodisiac and fertility enhancement (Vajikara): traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and to enhance fertility. Animal studies with date palm pollen have reported spermatogenic effects.
  • Expectorant and antitussive: traditionally used as an expectorant and antitussive. Preclinical studies have reported demulcent and bronchodilatory effects.
  • Nutritive tonic (Balya): traditionally used as a nutritive tonic. Its mineral, vitamin and caloric content has been documented.
  • Laxative: traditionally used as a laxative. It has a high dietary fiber content, and studies have described a bulk-forming mechanism.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Dates are a widely consumed food; high sugar content warrants moderation in diabetic patients
  • Date seed extracts and pollen have shown no significant toxicity in preclinical studies; however, high caloric density should be considered in metabolic conditions

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Fruit powder (Churna), Avaleha (confection/paste), Swarasa (juice/syrup), Paka (jam), Capsule, Energy bar formulations

Standard Dosage: 2-4 fruits daily (10-20 g); 10-20 g Avaleha; 20-30 mL date syrup; 3-5 g powder with milk

Optimal Timing: Morning with milk for nutritive and energy purposes; before or between meals as healthy snack; Avaleha after meals for digestive benefit

Storage: Whole dates at 15-25°C in airtight containers or vacuum-packed. Refrigeration (4-8°C) extends shelf life to 24 months. Date syrup in glass jars at room temperature. Powder in moisture-proof containers (hygroscopic nature).

Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Protocatechuic acid, Caffeic acid, Ferulic acid, Rutin, Quercetin, Apigenin, Luteolin, Beta-D-glucan

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashwagandha for strength-building (Balya) formulations
  • Milk (Dugdha) as traditional Anupana for nutritive combination
  • Ghrita (Ghee) for Vata-pacifying nutritive preparation
  • Shatavari for lactation support
  • Amalaki for iron absorption enhancement

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Mahomoodally MF, Khadaroo SK, Hosenally M and others. 2024. Nutritional, medicinal and functional properties of different parts of the date palm and its fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) - A systematic reviewCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 37070182 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2191285

Other clinical studies and reviews8

  1. Lani MN, Fazel MF, Razali MR and others. 2026. Nutraceuticals of Phoenix dactylifera L.: Physicochemistry, Nutritional Value and Therapeutic PotentialDrug design, development and therapy. PMID 42011224 · doi:10.2147/DDDT.S583862
  2. AbouZeid EM, Afifi AH, Hussei RA and others. 2024. Phoenix dactylifera L.: An Overview of Phytochemical Constituents and Impact on Women's HealthChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 38687201 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202400456
  3. Qadir A, Shakeel F, Ali A and others. 2020. Phytotherapeutic potential and pharmaceutical impact of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm): current research and future prospectsJournal of food science and technology. PMID 32180616 · doi:10.1007/s13197-019-04096-8
  4. Younas A, Naqvi SA, Khan MR and others. 2020. Functional food and nutra-pharmaceutical perspectives of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruitJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 32588917 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.13332
  5. El-Far AH, Oyinloye BE, Sepehrimanesh M and others. 2019. Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera): Novel Findings and Future Directions for Food and Drug DiscoveryCurrent drug discovery technologies. PMID 29557751 · doi:10.2174/1570163815666180320111937
  6. Gantait S, El-Dawayati MM, Panigrahi J and others. 2018. The retrospect and prospect of the applications of biotechnology in Phoenix dactylifera LApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 30054703 · doi:10.1007/s00253-018-9232-x
  7. Al-Alawi RA, Al-Mashiqri JH, Al-Nadabi JSM and others. 2017. Date Palm Tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.): Natural Products and Therapeutic OptionsFrontiers in plant science. PMID 28588600 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2017.00845
  8. Taleb H, Maddocks SE, Morris RK and others. 2016. Chemical characterisation and the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial properties of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 27729284 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.032

Laboratory and animal studies3

  1. Halabi AA, Elwakil BH, Hagar M and others. 2022. Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivar Extracts: Nanoparticle Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant ActivitiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36014407 · doi:10.3390/molecules27165165
  2. Ghazzawy HS, Gouda MM, Awad NS and others. 2022. Potential bioactivity of Phoenix dactylifera fruits, leaves, and seeds against prostate and pancreatic cancer cellsFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36386915 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.998929
  3. Wang Y, Chao X, Ahmad FUD and others. 2019. Phoenix dactylifera Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity and NephrotoxicityCardiology research and practice. PMID 31929900 · doi:10.1155/2019/7395239

Reference lists that include it

Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Quercetin, Saponins, Tannins

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.