APPLE TREE


Apples are an excellent source of potassium, iron, vitamins A & E, which are found more abundant in the peel than in the flesh of the apple.
Though the iron content of the apple is not high, it has a property that helps the body absorb the iron from other foods.
Apples contain 50 percent more vitamin A than oranges. This vitamin helps ward off colds & other infections & promotes growth.
Apples are rich in vitamin C, which is a body normalizer & is essential for bones & teeth.
The vitamin that is so important in maintaining nerve health, vitamin B is also found in apples.

Apples help the body detox, they are beneficial to the brain, liver & bowels.
They are used to treat headaches, gout, rheumatism, high blood pressure.
When you first notice flickering in your vision eat an apple straight away to keep a migraine at bay.
Apple with honey has been a remedy for heart problems since ancient times.

Apples are an alkaline food & also an eliminative food & contain pectin, which has the ability to take up excess water in the intestines & make a soft bulk that acts as a mild, non-irritating stimulant. This stimulant helps the peristaltic movement & aids in natural bowel elimination.
Apples regulate the digestive system, preventing constipation & stopping diarrhea; also neutralizing the effects of rich fatty foods.
Peeled & grated apple relieves flatulence & diarrhea.
A fasting diet of 1 - 2 days of unripe apples should help.
As a laxative, eat 2 or more apples, very effective.
Steamed apples, being rich in pectin, are useful in diarrhea. When diarrhea is first suspected, peel & grate 2 apples & eat straight away. Repeat every hour.
Apples that are not over ripe contain pectins which encourage the removal of toxins which irritate the intestines.

Apples also keep the eyes in good condition & prevents night blindness.

Apple juice is good for the gall bladder & is known for its cleansing & healing effects on internal inflammation.
Apples can lower blood cholesterol, aid liver function, rid the body of toxins & lessen the effects of X-rays.
They help purify the blood, clear gout & prevent gallstones.
Apple peels can be dried & made into a tea, recommended for rheumatism, regulates blood sugar in diabetes.

Apples also help to keep the teeth clean.
Apples are considered valuable as anti-scorbutic fruits.

Apple murabba acts as a heart stimulant & is also reported to relieve mental strain.

When baked they can be applied as a warm poultice to sore throats & skin inflammations.

Apple tea, usually prepared by infusing minced fruit or peels in hot water is helpful as a supportive remedy in the treatment of arthritic rheumatic conditions as well as rheumatoid kidney & liver disease.
An apple diet is recommended for gouthemorrhoidsbladder & kidney disease.

An apple at bed time improves the quality of sleep & helps to control night sweat.
A tea made from apple skins is meant to induce sleep.
Add dried apple skins to water & bring to a boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes, sweeten to taste & drink 2-3 cups during the evening.

Use the bark to create a tonic that will treat gravel in the bladder & also aid in reducing fever.

Tea made from apple tree bark is a tonic, relieves biliousness & intermittent fever, helps digestion (too much stomach acid, eat sweet apples; not enough stomach acid, eat sour apples), dysentery, boils, insect stings, rabid dog bites.

Combine it with a tissue healing vulnerary like plantain.
Like most astringents, apple leaves or bark will likewise be of benefit during bouts of diarrhea, or to address chronic loose stools.

Since the leaves & the apple tree bark have astringent properties & can act as an antacid, syrup or tea made from them can offer relief for many digestive disorders such as sour stomach, hyperacidity or heartburn.
A tea could also relieve constipation or food poisoning & promote a more efficient digestion due to its bitterness & anti-inflammatory properties.

Apple tree bark tea can also help your kidneys because it can act as a diuretic & prevent cases of kidney stones or gravel.
Apple tree bark enhances lymphatic circulation & acts as a spleen tonic (in spleen congestion, in a slightly enlarged spleen), strengthening the heart & comforting melancholies at the same time.
If you have a cold or high fever, an apple tree tea could help you ease those symptoms.

Regarding apple tree leaves, they have a milder action than the apple tree bark. They can be used for external/topical applications in cases of swellings, infected bites or thorn scratches due to their antiseptic qualities.
Besides, tea made from apple tree leaves can relieve toothache & act against easily bleeding gums.

Apple blossom tea soothes & calms the nerves.
The petals can be infused as a tea to treat feverish conditions, especially those that affect the upper respiratory tract.

Apples cider vinegar is very rich in calcium & can help to improve calcium deficiency related problems such as loss of concentration & memory, weak muscle tone, poor circulation, badly healing wounds, general itchiness, aching joints & lack of appetite.
Apple cider vinegar detoxifies by supporting the eliminative function of the kidneys.
It is a helpful supportive aid for arthritis, gout, rheumatism & skin conditions.
It is also beneficial for sinusitis, high blood pressure, migraine, chronic exhaustion & night sweats.
Dilute 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 200 ml of water. This may be sweetened with honey.

Apple cider vinegar is very useful in the treatment of hiccups. Put a few drops onto a cube of sugar & slowly let it dissolve in your mouth
The next time that you have indigestion problems, take 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water.

Apple cider vinegar prevents hair losssoftens skin.

In case of arthritis take 2 -3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed with honey every day.

2-3 tbsp of vinegar as a daily tonic works to decrease inflammation, increase metabolism.


PRECAUTIONS:

The apple seeds contain cyanide & are poisonous.
Eating enough seeds (in one case, one cup of apple seeds) can cause death. 
The cyanide is released in the stomach as the seeds are digested, so it may take several hours for the symptoms of poisoning to appear.

Apple may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Rosaceae family. 
Members of this family include apricot, almond, plum, peach, pear & strawberry.
If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking apple.

Apple, especially apple juice, can increase blood sugar levels. 
Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you use apple products & have diabetes.


RECIPES:

Dried apples retain some chewiness, apple chips are crunchy & make for a fine garnish on desserts & salads.

Infusion: use 1-2 tsp dried apple peels with 1 cup simmering water.
Take from 1-3 cups a day.

For diarrhea, eat a grated, peeled apple.
Dried apple peels simmered in warm water help regulate digestion.
For maximum benefit, eat 1-2 medium sized apples every day.

Apple Bark Tea:

Boil the apple bark in a pot, leave it to steep for 20 minutes, covering the pot with a lid.
If you prefer a stronger tea, you can leave the pot to cool over night.
Drink up to 2 -3 cups of tea per day.

Apple Bark Tincture:

Place apple bark into a glass jar with alcohol (40% up to 76%), cover it well & leave it there for about 2 weeks.
Strain the content of the jar & then use it diluted with water.
Use up to 5-10 drops of tincture a day.

Apple Bark or Leaves Decoction:

Fresh apple bark is boiled for 2 hours with enough water to cover it.
The water is then decanted off & the boiling is repeated with a second portion of water.
This last decoction is the one used because, after 24 hours, it starts to deposit granular crystals of phloridzin - a bitter glucoside soluble in water which acts against digestive disorders.

Warts:

Rub juice of sour apple on warts every day as much as possible.
After a while warts go smaller, darken & after 10 days are gone.

Baked Apples:

Cut out the center that contains the seeds & fill it with muesli,nuts,raisins etc. mixed with a bit of butter & sugar or honey for taste.
Sprinkle a little Cinnamon on top.
Place on a baking sheet & bake until soft enough to spoon.
Serve with plain yogurt or ice cream.


Grated Apple:

Grate an apple & couple of carrots.
Squeeze a lemon over it & add some currants to the mix.
Can be used as a side salad.

Spiced Crab Apples:

3 lb good crab apples
2 lb sugar
500 ml vinegar
1 root ginger, grated or bruised
Grated rind of ½ lemon
ca 5 cm cinnamon stick
2-3 cloves
1 tbsp allspice berries, whole
Wash the crab apples well.
Place the vinegar & sugar into a saucepan,heat while stirring, taking care not to burn the sugar.
Add the fruit.
Place spices into a muslin bag & tie well.Add to the fruit.
Cover the saucepan & cook on low heat until just tender.
Remove fruit with a siphoning spoon & pack into sterilized jars, leaving a little space at the top. Remove the muslin bag from the vinegar & strain the liquid.
Return to the heat & continue to simmer, uncovered, until it has the consistency of syrup.
Pour hot over the fruit in the jars so it covers them by ca 2 cm.
Seal tightly & store in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks before use.

Ginger & Apple Chutney:

2 dozen large tart apples such as Bramley's
500 g sultanas or raisins
1 kg brown sugar
90 ml mustard seed
1 fresh chilli
1 level tsp turmeric powder
ca 40 ml ground ginger
500 g Spanish onions, cut in half & sliced thinly
4 cloves of garlic, peeled & crushed with a little salt
750 ml vinegar
Peel, core & slice the apples & slice the chilli.
Put all ingredients together into a saucepan & simmer on a low heat for 11/2- 2 hours until well cooked to a pulp.
Allow to set overnight.


BEAUTY:

Pectin in apples is great for inflammation & wrinkles, but the fruit's alpha-hydroxy acids also work wonders on skin.

Apple Face Mask:

grate half a peeled & cored apple & mix with
1 tbsp rolled oats,
1 tsp yogurt,
1 tsp honey.
Slather on face & let sit for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse:

2 sprigs fresh rosemary,chopped
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups warm water
Place the apple cider vinegar & rosemary into the jar.
Fill the rest of the jar with water up to the surface.
Store in a cool, dry place for 1 week, shaking the jar often to disperse the rosemary.
Dilute a third of a cup of your rosemary cider mixture with 3 cups of warm water in a bottle & mix well.
Rinse over your hair after you shampoo.
Wash it out thoroughly after a few minutes.

Vinegar & Honey Face Mask:

1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp wheat germ oil, apricot kernel oil or cold pressed olive oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Mix the honey & oil in a bowl until well blended.
Gradually add apple cider vinegar until you have a pasty consistency.
Apply the mask & let it stay on your face for 20 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water & pat your face dry.
This mask combines the antiseptic properties of honey & the anti-inflammatory ones of vinegar for soothed & nourished skin.

Apple Granola Face Mask:

1/2 fresh apple, chopped
2 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
1 tbsp buttermilk, full fat
1 tbsp cornflower
Blend the chopped apple in a blender, then slowly add remaining ingredients until the consistency is a thick liquid.
Apply 1-2 tbsp of the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area.
Leave the mask on for 10 -15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Store the extra mask mixture in an airtight container for no more than 3-5 days.
Helps to reduce inflammation & the appearance of fine wrinkles.
For a quick way to brighten up your face, grate a peeled & cored apple & apply to skin for 15 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.


MAGIC:

Unicorns, according to Pagan folklore, often dwell beneath apple & ash trees. Every so often, one or more of these magnificent magical creatures can be observed eating or wandering about in an apple orchard, especially in the wee morning hours when the countryside is shrouded in a ghostly mist.


An apple cut in half through the middle reveals the witches’ five pointed star, so apples are also a symbol of magic.
In the Word Ogham of Cuchulain, the apple is described as an emblem of protection.

If there should be a single apple left on a tree after the rest of the crop has been picked at harvesting time & it does not fall to the ground before the arrival of the following spring, the family upon whose land the apple tree stands will lose one of its loved ones to the Angel of Death.
It is an old Pagan custom in some parts of the world to deliberately leave one apple on the tree at harvesting time as an offering to the spirits.

A good apple year is a great year for twins.

Rubbing an apple before eating it is an old method to ensure that the fruit will be free of any evil spirits or demonic entities.
Some superstitious folks still believe that if you eat an apple without first rubbing or washing it, you invite the devil to dine with you.

If you wish to work with the energy of the Apple tree, you can aid the process by focusing on Apple trees & working with apple wood, eating more apples, drinking apple juice & the occasional glass of cider.
Dry apple peel & drink it as a tea.
Try cultivating Apple trees from the pips for some very special trees which you are closely linked with.
Sit with Apple trees as often as possible, get to know their vibration, make friends with them.
Try to notice if the tree's energy changes, in relation to which other trees are next to it; if there are any people or animals & if so if they have anything to communicate to you.
Apple is a great wood for a magical wand.
Using an apple wood wand would be the appropriate magical tool to use if you wanted to make shamanic journeys to the Otherworld.
It is said that the Apple is used as a calling sign to the Otherworld that you wish to enter their realm. The wand will help you physically, mentally & spiritually connect to the Apple tree.
It is a favorite witch tree.
The fruit is used at Mabon & Samhain & for love spells.
Eating an apple opens the gateway into other realms, most often faeryland. It provides illumination & the gaining of knowledge.

Beware of apple trees that blossom out of season, particularly in the fall, for they are said to presage a death in the family.

Cutting down an apple orchard is said by some to bring bad luck.

To ensure that an apple tree bears fruit for many years, an old custom from Germany is for the first fruit of the season to be consumed by a woman who has bore many children.

Many Pagan folks in Norway once believed that by eating apples they could attain immortality through wisdom.

In 19th Century Lower-Saxon Germany, the first bath water used by a newborn baby was poured over the roots of an apple tree to ensure that the child would have red cheeks & if it was a girl, large breasts..

To the Celts, the apple is the Tree of Knowledge.
The sacred Druid plant, Mistletoe, is often found on Apple trees, making it an especially holy tree to the Druids, along with the Oak.
In the Irish Druid tradition, the Silver Bough is cut from a magical Apple tree, where silver apple shaped bells played a mystical tune, which could lull people into a trance state.
Druids could make contact with the Otherworld during a trance enhanced by this silver apple bough.
The Apple Tree is closely linked to Druids in their aspect as magicians & the Otherworld.
In The Voyage of Bran, an Otherworldly woman appears with an apple branch laden with bells, entrancing Bran with wondrous tales of the Otherworld.
The Ogham system, the Apple, Quert, the Q-few, links the apple to the spiritual warrior, one who is unafraid to make the journey to the Otherworld & back, one who is unafraid to face death or madness.

At Samhain, winning the game of bobbing for apples meant that you would be blessed by the Goddess for a year.
Since apples were symbols of Avalon, capturing one from the water represented crossing to the holy isle.
The apple is also considered one of the foods of the dead, so they are often piled high on Samhain altars, for Samhain is sometimes known as the "Feast of Apples."

There is an old Scottish custom of eating an apple on Samhain night while looking into the mirror.
Legend says that you will see your true love reflected there.
Stand before the mirror at midnight on Samhain.
Slice the apple crosswise to expose the star-shaped arrangement of seeds inside.
Light a tea-light candle & place the apple slices & the candle before the mirror.
At midnight, say the following charm three times:
As this Samhain night rushes past,
Reveal to me a love that shall last.
May I know them when next we meet
May our love be both strong & sweet.
Allow the candle to burn out & the next morning leave the apple pieces outside as an offering to the nature spirits.
Pay attention & see who you meet within the next 30 days.

During the time of the apple harvest apple farmers traditionally engaged in the custom of 'wassailing', a kind of tree blessing that invoked the fruitfulness of their trees, chased off any evil spirits or demons that might have liked to steal their fruit & gave thanks for the harvest.
This was celebrated with good quantities of cider & apple cookies as well as with fireworks or gunfire.

Apples have also sometimes been used as a form of divination, to tell the probable fortunes of young hopefuls in their pursuit of love & happiness.
The procedure requires the person to cut the apple horizontally.
The fortunes are told by interpreting the numbers of seeds that are visible & whether or how many of them were cut in the process.

To determine the first letter of your future spouse’s last name, peel an apple in one unbroken strip. By the light of an enchanted pink candle, take the paring in your right hand & recite the following charm three times:
Spirits all-knowing,
May thee reveal
My true love’s initials
By shape of this peel.
Turn around thrice & then cast the paring over your left shoulder.
If it falls in the shape of an alphabetical letter, this will indicate the initial of your future husband or wife’s surname.
However, if the apple peel should break upon hitting the floor or ground, this portends that you will never wed.

For a love ritual, charge a small piece of rose quartz to your purpose, then place it in a red bag.
With pink ribbon, tie the bag on a branch of an apple tree where it will not be disturbed.
When your wish is fulfilled, bury the amulet near the tree, or throw it in the nearest body of water.
A similar spell can be done for health or prosperity, by using a green stone (green quartz, emeralds, jade, adventurine, tourmaline, or peridot).
Put it in a green bag, with green ribbon & tie it onto a branch of your apple tree.

Apple blossoms are used in love sachets.
Apple blossom oil can be included in many magical blends to bring love & health.

Apple trees can be used as ‘clootie trees’.
Find a ribbon or strip of cloth that represents your deepest wish & tie it into the branches of an Apple tree.
As the cloth weathers away, your wish will come true.

Dreaming of apples symbolizes prosperity & the good life.

If the sun shines on Christmas morning & rain falls on Saint Swithin’s Day (July 15th), these are both a good omen that the apple orchards will yield a bountiful crop the following season.



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