One of the most popular and well-known health recommendations in the Edgar Cayce readings is the apple diet. But make no mistake, Cayce didn’t intend this three-day regimen to be a weight-loss strategy. The “diet” was recommended as a detoxification or purification routine that could make one feel more energetic and vital in a short period of time. It was particularly noted as a way to alkalize the system and help relieve chronic aches and pains. In general, the apple diet seems to be almost a must for all of us a few times a year, if only for the reason that it thoroughly cleanses and detoxifies the system.
Searching for Cayce’s readings on the “apple diet” yields a mother of twenty-four documents. It is interesting that it has become one of the best known and most applied Cayce “remedies”. I attribute this to the fact that it is an “easy” routine to follow and IT WORKS! Over the decades, I think the Cayce apple diet has enjoyed a great deal of word of mouth endorsement from one individual to another. I personally do the apple diet three or four times a year. In fact, I enjoy the mental discipline it requires, and the feeling of health and “lightness” that results.
The first step in the diet is to get your apples! The readings identified “jenneting” apple varieties as the best for rutin. Two easy-to-obtain apples in this category are Jonathan and Delicious. While I was writing this article, I decided to do some research on “jennetting”. What exactly does the term mean? Basically these apples are the ones that ripen early in the season. The term jenneting is derived from the name Jean or John and is so called because these apples ripen on or before Midsummer Day, June 24! I love tidbits of information like this as much as I love apples!
Readings actually indicate that raw apples should always be eaten alone, never with other foods, and never with castor oil packets (some people have been led to believe otherwise due to misinformation, so heed this warning ). As you can see from this quote, it’s important: “Don’t try to use the Apple Diet as a cleanser, if you use the Oil Packets.” (543-27)
Basically, the diet is simple. Three days of apples (the right apples as mentioned above), plenty of water, and rest. Here is a read on the apple diet:
“It would be good for this body, even after this, to have a three day diet of apples, even in its weakened condition we need to cleanse the system. This will eliminate tendencies to neuritic conditions in the joints of the body. Take also the Oil of Olive after the three-day diet. But don’t run out of apples – eat them – as many as you can – at least five or six apples each day. Chew them, scrape them well, water, and follow the three-day diet. days with a large dose of Olive Oil”. (1409-9)
The dose of olive oil is at the end of the diet. Two to three teaspoons is the general recommendation. Cold-pressed olive oil is much more palatable, so make sure you have it available. If you follow an oil-restricted diet, you can prolong apples for four to five days. I have never done this myself, but I imagine the results would be quite noticeable and effective.
As mentioned above, rest is important during the apple diet. A “Normal Apple Diet would be good for the body, but don’t try to work like a horse when you’re on the Apple Diet! Or else we’ll find it will do more harm than good!” (307-14)
what to expect
Most people report that the first day is the most challenging in terms of appetite for other foods. Some others seem to feel a bit more challenged on the second day. Almost all, however, report that on the third day the feeling of lightness and energy is well worth it. So, here’s to your health. Let us know your experiences and results.