Diospyros kaki (Diospyros kaki): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Diospyros kaki lower blood pressure?

Diospyros kaki (persimmon) leaves contain bioactive flavonoids including luteolin, astragalin, and quercetin that may support healthy blood pressure through antioxidant activity and vasodilation. These compounds appear to modulate nitric oxide pathways, helping relax blood vessels. The tannins contribute additional cardiovascular support through their astringent properties. Evidence level: C (preliminary clinical evidence and traditional use).

Does persimmon interact with diabetes or blood pressure medications?

Diospyros kaki may interact with diabetes medications, potentially affecting blood glucose control. Patients taking insulin or oral hypoglycemics should monitor blood sugar closely. The antihypertensive effects may theoretically enhance blood pressure medications, though clinical interaction data remains limited. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining persimmon supplements with prescription medications. Evidence level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for persimmon leaf tea?

The traditional adult dosage for Diospyros kaki leaf tea is 2-3 grams of dried leaf daily, prepared as a standard infusion. Ripe persimmon fruit can be consumed freely as food. Unripe fruit should be avoided due to extreme astringency from high tannin content, which can cause constipation and digestive discomfort. Evidence level: Traditional use.

Is persimmon safe to consume during pregnancy?

Diospyros kaki is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The astringent tannins and bioactive compounds may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal preparations of persimmon leaves and unripe fruit entirely. While ripe fruit as occasional food may be acceptable, consult a qualified healthcare provider before any consumption. Evidence level: C (extrapolated from traditional contraindications).

What are the health benefits of persimmon leaves?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diospyros kaki leaves and fruit have been used for centuries to support healthy blood pressure, address digestive conditions, and help prevent hemorrhage. The astringent properties treat diarrhea, while leaf tea provides cardiovascular and antioxidant support. Modern research has identified quercetin, luteolin, and astragalin as key compounds contributing to these traditional applications. Evidence level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Diospyros kaki (Japanese persimmon) is a temperate fruit tree whose leaves and fruits are utilized in traditional medicine and as functional foods for their antioxidant and pharmacological properties [PMID:25637828, PMID:27047315].

Background

Diospyros kaki is a cultivated species of the Diospyros genus found across all continents [PMID:36895410, PMID:23179692]. It is used in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors [PMID:36840285].

Traditional uses

In Chinese traditional medicine, persimmon leaves (Shi Ye) have been used to treat ischemic stroke, angina, internal hemorrhage, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and certain infectious diseases [PMID:25637828, PMID:36895410]. It has also been traditionally believed in China to lower peripheral body temperature [PMID:12619669].

Active compounds

The fruit contains carotenoids (including $\beta$-cryptoxanthin and $\beta$-carotene), proanthocyanidins, gallic acid, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanidin, and catechin [PMID:27047315, PMID:34579162, PMID:33641941]. Leaves contain flavonoids (such as quercetin, isoquercetin, kaempferol, and kaempferol-3-O-$\beta$-d-2''-coumaroylgalactoside), terpenoids (ursolic acid, rotungenic acid, barbinervic acid, uvaol), polysaccharides, and phenolic acids [PMID:36840285, PMID:34685842, PMID:38202798].

Mechanism of action

Persimmon leaf extract (EEDK) may induce cancer cell death by stimulating the PDGFR-Rac-JNK signaling axis [PMID:33093618]. In corneal endothelial cells, EEDK enhances Na+/K+-ATPase enzymatic activity and expression [PMID:35056129]. In obese mouse models, immature persimmon ethanol extract inhibits the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and decreases expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins [PMID:37842245].

Clinical evidence

Evidence ADyslipidemia

Persimmon leaf extract may improve lipid profiles in adults [PMID:41031166]

Evidence BPeripheral Body Temperature

Ingestion of Japanese persimmon depressed temperatures recorded at the foot and wrist compared to water consumption [PMID:12619669]

Evidence DObesity (Animal Model)

Immature persimmon ethanol extract decreased body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, and serum triglyceride levels in high-fat diet mice [PMID:37842245]

Evidence DCognitive Impairment (Animal Model)

Ethanolic extract reduced fasting blood glucose and improved cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in diabetic mice [PMID:33326146]

Evidence DNephrotoxicity (Animal Model)

Leaf fractions showed protective effects against CCl4-induced renal toxicity in rats [PMID:33522322]

Evidence DRetinal Degeneration (Animal Model)

Ethanol extract of leaves increased retinal layer thickness and preserved the outer nuclear layer in MNU-induced degeneration mice [PMID:26260943]

Evidence summary

Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (D), and reviews (C), with one systematic review/meta-analysis (A) and one clinical trial (B) regarding specific physiological effects.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 25637828 (2015) — Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves: a review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 27047315 (2015) — Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit: hidden phytochemicals and health claims. · EXCLI journal
3.PMID: 34579162 (2021) — From Diospyros kaki L. (Persimmon) Phytochemical Profile and Health Impact to New Product Perspectives and Waste Valorization. · Nutrients
4.PMID: 33641941 (2021) — Carotenoids from persimmon juice processing. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
5.PMID: 36895410 (2023) — In-vitro antioxidant, lipoxygenase inhibitory, and in-vivo muscle relaxant potential of the extract and constituent isolated from Diospyros kaki (Japanese Persimmon).

Diospyros kaki

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Diospyros kaki