I meant to write this post back in late august – early September, at the height of local apple season. Life sometimes takes its own path, flowing where it wants to go.

Apples are a food of Healing Magic. You know, the “Apple a day keeps the doctor away” saying has truth in it. This Healing Magic of apples is well deserved. Hippocrates was purported to have said that all disease begins in the gut. If disease begins in the gut, one can extrapolate that with healthy lifestyle habits, health also begins in the gut.

I will list my previous Co-op blog posts on gut health and invite you to peruse these reading to familiarize yourself with gut health creation, prevention of problems, healing from disruption, and maintenance of good gut health.

1. https://potsdamcoop.com/your-gut-health-journey/
2. https://potsdamcoop.com/4-steps-to-heal-and-seal-your-gut-lining/
3. https://potsdamcoop.com/toning-vagus-nerve-for-ultimate-gut-health-three/

I will insert bits of wisdom around The Mighty Apple’s contributions to gut health. Apples are rich in fiber and pectin. Both of these substances in apples and whole foods are nourishing and:

• Aid digestion.
• Remove toxins from the body.
• Flush unneeded, extra fats and cholesterol from the system. Fats & cholesterol are both needed in the body. Balance is the key in everything. 
• Support healthy elimination from the colon (see toxin removal above).
• Support soothing and healing the digestive tract lining, your barrier between the food you eat and your internal ecosystem. 
• Feed healthy gut microbes so these microbes flourish and inhibits the microbes that do not belong in the gut. This maintains the gut microbiome for optimum digestive, nervous, immune, and whole-body health. Because your body works as a whole being, holistic, your gut microbes are an important part of you and your vitality.

Apples are low in calories and rich in nourishment. They pack a powerful punch of goodness and provide whole food energy. Apples help to maintain electrolyte balance with their gift of potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes. Apples are a good source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron and zinc. Apples, eaten daily, have been correlated with lower incidences of colds and flu and reduced occurrences of headaches and tension related problems. Apples probably contain many phytonutrients that support healthy immunity and are high in B vitamins… feeding the nervous system for health. Magnesium promotes relaxation and relieves tension headaches.

The interesting thing, that has always fascinated me, is that our bodies are best nourished by nutrients packaged in a whole food. Yes, taking magnesium for example, helps support many functions. When that magnesium is brought into the body, with its array of synergistic nutrients packaged in a whole food, the body thrives at optimal vitality. 

Several years ago (seriously it has probably been way over a decade as I have been writing Co-op articles for 25+ years now… anyone want to take over?) I wrote an article about several varieties of heritage breed apples and their flavors, uses, and benefits. If I could find this article, I would re-share it. I believe it is on a floppy disk… somewhere. Can we even pull things off floppy disks anymore?

Apple Recipes* to Weave Some Magic in Your Kitchen

(And I do recommend just eating a raw, organic apple daily)

I recommend the use of organic, local, seasonal, whole food ingredients. Animal products are best if they come from animals that were raised and fed naturally.

All recipes inspired by & altered slightly to stick to my whole food ways, from the booklet, Apple Magic, published by The American Cooking Guild.

My written information is from my wisdom, research, training, and experience in western medicine (Functional Medicine RN) and Natural Medicine -Holistic Modalities – Herbalist certification. My views are not necessarily the views of the Potsdam Food Co-op. When we make choices about our health, use other’s advice, and make choices based upon that advice; we are taking our health into our own hands. Our choices, and any actions that result from said choices, are our own responsibility. Using herbs wisely, as food and medicine, requires hands on learning and working with a trained herbalist while you create your own knowledge base. Yes, this is my disclaimer.

-Paula Youmell, RN

Find more articles by Paula Youmell, RN, Wise Woman Nurse.