- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Domesticated from wild apples of Central Asia (Kazakhstan); Europe's crab apple is a related species. Malus domestica
Europe · Food · № 84
Malus domestica
Food · Europe
Apple
Malus domestica
A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.
Safety notes
Apple seeds contain amygdalin; do not chew large amounts. People with birch pollen allergy often react to raw apple.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Natural skin and hair care: On burnt skin, only spray on and let dry; do not rub in.
Preparation
Raw, grated, cooked or as cider vinegar. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
The crab apple is one of the nine herbs of the Anglo-Saxon charm. The saying 'an apple a day…' shows how strongly apples were linked to health. Crab apple is also a Bach flower remedy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Tonic, stimulates digestion and liver, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, antiseptic.
Preparation and amount
Raw apple tea for rheumatic pain and intestinal colic, or as a cooling drink in fever; juice (possibly with olive oil) on small cuts; raw apples for constipation, stewed apples for diarrhoea and gut infections; sour apples as a diuretic in cystitis; stewed apple compress for scabies.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic; as a rinse it makes hair shine and removes soap and product residue.
Preparation and amount
External: apple cider vinegar in an after-sun spray, in shampoo and in a hair rinse (see the recipes).
Caution: On burnt skin, only spray on and let dry; do not rub in.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Attracts love (blossom), deepens spiritual connection and earth magic, foretelling the future, love, healing, harmony, long life, health, peace, protection, immortality.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with love, health and long life.
Preparation and amount
In European stories the apple is the fruit of love, knowledge and immortality: the golden apples of the Hesperides, Idun's apples in Norse myth and the island of Avalon, the 'isle of apples'. In England orchards are blessed in winter by wassailing for a good harvest.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Fruit in cooking, baking and brewing; fruit bowl, fruit salad, juice for smoothies, apple-almond curry soup; apple blossom is edible (for example in a spring bath).
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Compress, poultice and pasteSyrup, honey and oxymelSteam and bathPowder and kitchen