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.
English – Apple
Hindi – Sev
Bengali – Sev
Gujarati – Sapharchand
Kannada – Sebu
Spanish – Manzano
French – Pommier
Russian – Yablonya
Chinese – Ping Guo shi
Portuguese - Maceira
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
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:
The dose
of the drug used according to the physician
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
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
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.