A day keeps doctor away- apple!

This time tested quotation was popular in the 19th century when there was no food pyramid insisting on a daily intake of fruits and vegetables. It is believed that Hippocrates, the father of medicine was a proponent of nutritional healing and often prescribed apples, dates and barley.

Apples are best had unpeeled as most of their nutrients are found just under the skin and are sources of Vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. It also contains some of the B vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc. Apples prevent fermentation in the intestines as they contain malic acid and tartaric acid.

Pectin, a soluble fibre in apples aids the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and its high fibre content makes the elimination of waste comfortable and natural by aiding in the digestive process.

Pectin also helps to bring down high levels of cholesterol and blood sugar; it is prescribed for those with diabetes and coronary artery disease. The antioxidants present in apples improve immunity and decrease risk factors of heart disease and some types of cancer.

Green apples in particular cleanse the liver and gall bladder and are known to soften gallstones. Their high water content makes them a cooling and moistening agent and helps to bring down fever. In case of dry cough and mucous in the lungs, a mixture of steamed apples and honey are known to work wonders.

Apple cider vinegar helps in reducing chances of kidney stone when used as a beverage and is also a remedy for a wide variety of skin ailments. Raw apples are known to clean the teeth and massage the gums, while possessing properties that make it an excellent diuretic, muscle tonic and laxative. It is also believed to be anti rheumatic, anti diarrheal and stomachic.

Although it is best to have apples unpeeled, the risk comes from the fruit’s exposure to pesticides and other contaminants.

While some people advise consuming organically cultivated apples, what you could do is to wash them well in water and keep it soaked for a few hours in water with a handful of salt and a spoon of thrown in. This will help leech out some of the contaminants and make the fruit safer to consume.

Apples are prescribed for a variety of conditions such as headache, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, anaemia, bladder inflammation, neuritis, gonorrhoea, insomnia, arthritis, catarrh, worms, stones in the gall bladder, pyorrhoea and halitosis.