Apple

Malus communis

Despite the adage that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," the apple's medicinal properties are often forgotten. The fruits of M. communis have been cultivated since Roman times; ripe apples were used as laxatives and unripe ones to counter diarrhea. In Galenical medicine, most apples were cool and moist; juices and infusions were prescribed for fevers and eye infections.

Years ago, apples were used to relieve gout, bilious constitutions, skin eruptions, and nerves. They are so popular around the world that they have all kinds of superstitions and traditions attached to them. The peasants of Westphalia used apples mixed with saffron as a cure for jaundice. There is also a legend in Devonshire, England, that an apple rubbed on a wart will cure it. On Easter morning, peasants in a province of Prussia ate an apple to insure against fever.

Today, doctors use apple therapy for stubborn cases of diarrhea in patients of all ages, including babies. Because so many of the essential vitamins and minerals in apples contain a predigested form of fruit sugar, it is an ideal fruit for infants and invalids.

Apples are an alkaline food. They are also an eliminative food, and contain pectin, which has the ability to take up excess water in the intestines and make a soft bulk that acts as a mild, nonirritating stimulant. This stimulant helps the peristaltic movement and aids in natural bowel elimination.

The iron content of the apple is not high, but it has a property that helps the body absorb the iron in other foods, such as eggs and liver. It does contain a generous amount of calcium, and this calcium aids the system in absorbing the calcium in other foods.

Apples contain 50 percent more vitamin A than oranges. This vitamin helps ward off colds and other infections and promotes growth. It also keeps the eyes in good condition, and prevents night blindness.

Apples have an abundant supply of vitamins. They are rich in vitamin C, which is a body normalizer and is essential in keeping bones and teeth sound. The vitamin that is so important in maintaining nerve health, vitamin B, is also found in apples. Apples are good for low blood pressure and hardening of the arteries because they are powerful blood purifiers. They also benefit the lymphatic system.

The juice of apples is good for everyone. It can be used in a cleansing and reducing diet, but speeds up bowel action, and can produce gas if bowels are not moving well. Apple juice or concentrate added to water makes solution that heals bowel irritation when given as an enema.

Raw apples should be used for homemade apple juice, which should be consumed immediately after preparation. Save the peelings for health tea, which is excellent for the kidneys. This tea is simply made from steeped apple peelings. It is especially tasty when a little honey has been added to it.

Parts used

Fruit.

Uses

Body odor, Breast cancer, Dysentery, Giardiasis, Hair, excessive, Lung cancer, Parasites, Temporomandibular joint syndrome or disorder - TMJ (TMD).

Constituents

Apple contains sugars, fruit acids, pectin, vitamins A, B1, C, minerals.

Applications

RAW FRUIT:

FRESH - Eat ripe apples for constipation associated with an overheated stomach. Eat sour apples as a diuretic in cystitis and other urinary infections. Apples are also a good source of minerals and vitamins in anemia and debility.

INFUSION - Take an infusion of the fresh, raw fruit as a warming drink for rheumatic pains and intestinal colic, and as a cooling remedy for feverish colds.

JUICE - Use undiluted juice or juice mixed with olive oil as a household standby for cuts and abrasions.

STEWED FRUIT:

FRESH - Use for diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and intestinal infections.

POULTICE - Apply to skin infections, such as scabies.

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