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APPLE


WHAT IS APPLE

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Apple is Pyrus malus L, Malus communis Desf which belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is also called Malva Sylvestris. As we all know an Apple a day keeps the doctor away which is fully packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. 


What are the other names of APPLE in various languages

English – Apple

Hindi – Sev

Bengali – Sev

Gujarati – Sapharchand

Kannada – Sebu

Spanish – Manzano

French – Pommier

Russian – Yablonya

Chinese – Ping Guo shi

Portuguese - Maceira


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF APPLE

Apple is originated from Western Asia. It is cultivated widely all over the world. It is a deciduous tree that grows up to 6-15 feet tall. Usually, the plant grows in drained loamy soils. The leaves are arranged alternately and oval. The flowers are 3-4cm and white. An apple that grows up to 2.75-3.25 inches in diameter for commercial purposes and an apple that grows below 2.25 inches are used for juices

Part used: The Whole plant

Taste: sweet and sour

Potency: Cold


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN APPLE

On chemical compound analysis of Apple, it includes

Cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, P-coumarin acid, caffeoylquinine acid, Catechin, Epicatechin, Flavonols, Quercetin and quercetin glycosides\, anthocyanins, phytosterol, triterpenoids, pectin, carbohydrates, and endogenous hormone.

Action:

  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Expectorant
  • Demulcent
  • Traditional Phytotherapy
  • It is also used as a bronchodilator, expectorant, antitussive, anti-diarrheal and highly recommended for acne and skincare, and as antiseptic, emollient
  • Cholesterol-lowering effect
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Anti-cancer


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF APPLE

  • The fruits act as an astringent and laxative
  • The fruit helps in digestion and also control the bowel movements
  • The infusion helps to treat remittent, intermittent, and bilious fever
  • The juice prepared from the apple helps to lower the acidity level in the stomach
  • Eating an apple helps to reduce the skin diseases
  • The apple cider vinegar prevents stone formation in the kidney
  • It is also used to treat obesity, insomnia, bronchial asthma, and anemia
  • To treat acne the apple pulp is applied to the face
  • The paste prepared from the leaves is applied on the scalp to cure dandruff, and increase the hair growth and prevent the hair from fall
  • It also decreases the tooth decaying
  • The fruit is used to control constipation and diarrhea
  • The peel obtained from the apple fruit contains ursolic acid  which helps to increase the metabolism
  • The decoction prepared from the bark used to treat recurrent fever


DOSAGE OF APPLE

The dose of the drug used according to the physician


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING APPLE

  • Do not take an apple if you have indigestion because the skin of the apple is hard to digest and this may worsen the situation
  • The use of apples may lower blood sugar. So, monitoring of blood sugar levels is required in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug
  • The seeds are poisonous because the apple seed contains a small amount of amyddalin which is a cyanide and cyanogenic glycoside so do not consume seeds while you are taking apple


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING APPLE

  • It is considered safe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding
  • Kindly use apple paste with milk or curd if you have allergic skin 


BENEFITS OF APPLE

Diabetes:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of apple control diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the Vata-Kapha and improves impaired digestion by reducing the accumulation of toxins which is responsible for impaired digestion.

Take the required amount of apples and eat them after your meals to maintain your blood sugar level

Modern view: The apple contains a high amount of soluble fiber pectin which helps to control diabetes by reducing the blood sugar level

Obesity:

Obesity occurs due to lifestyle modifications which lead to poor digestive fire and this increases the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes an imbalance in the Meda dhatu which results in obesity. The use of Apple helps to reduce the body weight by improving the digestive fire and it also helps to improve the metabolism and remove the extra fluid or toxins from the body

Take the required amount of apples and eat them after your meals to control weight

Modern view: Apple is rich in pectin and phytochemical which increase the metabolism of lipids and decrease the cholesterol level.

Constipation:

Constipation occurs due to consumption of junk food, stress, depression, excessive coffee intake, late night sleeping. It is caused due to the worsening of Vata and pitta dosha. The use of apple helps to treat constipation by balancing Vata and by its laxative effect and it easily expels the waste products from the large intestine.

Take the required amount of apples and eat them after your meals to treat constipation

Heart disease:

Due to the presence of flavonoids and antioxidants in apple, it helps to reduce cholesterol and blood clot formation which prevent the heart problems

Scurvy:

It is a vitamin C deficiency. Due to the antiscorbutic effect, it helps to treat the vitamin C deficiency

Fever:

The presence of triterpenoids, friendelin, triterpenoid in apple produce an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect

Lung cancer:

Due to the antioxidant effect, it inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells and results in cell death

Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis):

According to Ayurveda, it is called as Vata-Kaphaj Pratishaya which occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha and impaired digestion. The use of apple helps to balance the Vata and Kapha and treat allergic rhinitis

Modern view: Due to the presence of polyphenols it inhibits the histamine release and decreases inflammation. This decreases the nasal discharge

Atherosclerosis:

Due to the antioxidant and flavonoids, it helps to decrease the blood pressure and blood sugar level, and cholesterol level, and it also prevents the formation of plague which reduces atherosclerosis.

Asthma:

According to the Ayurveda, asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas in the lungs which results in obstruction in the passages in the respiratory. The use of apple treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas this helps to reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage by removing the excess mucus in the lungs

Dandruff:

The juice prepared from the apple act as an exfoliating agent which helps to remove the dead skin by its Ruksha nature. It also reduces the oil secretion from the scalp.

Take the required amount of apple juice and add a cup of warm water. Then apply this on your scalp for 5-10 minutes and wash your hair with tap water

Acne and pimples:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, acne occurs due to the imbalance of Kapha which increases the production of sebum which clogs the pores which leads to the formation of white and blackheads. The use of apple balance the Pitta and reduce the inflammation by its cold effect

Take the required amount of apple pulp and mix this with honey. Apply this paste on an affected area for 20-30 minutes. Wash it with normal water to get rid of acne and pimples


SIGNIFICANCE OF APPLE

  • The water extract of flowers and; leaves are used as a valuable remedy for cough and inflammatory diseases of mucous membranes. In Italy, traditional phytotherapy is used in cosmetic treatments.
  • Leaves decoction is used as an excellent demulcent in cough, irritation of the air passages, flux, and other kidney and bladder disorders.


HOW CAN YOU ADD APPLE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

Apple juice

Take the required amount of apple juice and eat them after your meals to treat constipation

Apple powder:

Take the required amount of boiled milk and add apple powder to it. Consume this drink after your meals

External use:

Apple juice:

Take the required amount of apple juice and add a cup of warm water. Then apply this on your scalp for 5-10 minutes and wash your hair with tap water

Apple pulp:

Take the required amount of apple pulp and mix this with honey. Apply this paste on an affected area for 20-30 minutes. Wash it with normal water to get rid of acne and pimples


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON APPLE

How many apples can you eat in a day?

On average, a person can have one to two apples in a day. If you are having more than that, you can experience some dangerous and uncomfortable side effects.

Why are apples bad for you?

Apples contain both high levels of sugar (as do grapes), and cyanide, in their pips. Eating an apple a day can affect your teeth and cause erosion.

Apples' pips contain Amygdalin a sugar and cyanide compound that is ingested in small amounts is easy to deal with but can cause death.

Is it OK to eat an apple at night?

If you eat apples at night or in the evening, this pro-digestive fruit can turn against you and load on your intestinal functions. This means apples at night will produce gas and make you severely uncomfortable during the wee hours.

When should you not eat an apple?

It's best to discard apples that are soft or show other physical signs of expiration, as moisture content under the skin can indicate contamination. You can usually tell whether an apple has started to go bad by examining its appearance. Apples that have gone bad should be discarded.

Is Apple good for face?

Apple's antioxidant property prevents cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture of mashed apple, honey rose water, and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your skin.