Some of my favorite childhood memories are from visiting my grandparents in New Jersey. We loved going in the fall—crunching leaves under our feet and sipping fresh-pressed apple juice from Delicious Orchards. Nothing compares to cold, crisp apple juice on a brisk autumn day. And now is the perfect time to enjoy this delicious and deeply medicinal fruit.

Dr. John R. Christopher loved apples. He included them on his100 Herb List for the School of Natural Healing because of their incredible healing properties. Apples can be enjoyed fresh, juiced, or made into apple cider vinegar—each form offering unique benefits.

Apple Pectin: A Gentle Detoxifier

Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps the body in many ways, including: 

• Binds to bile acids and lowers cholesterol
• Slows the absorption of sugar, helping balance blood sugar and support energy
• Aids in the removal of heavy metals from the body

Apples are also associated with oxygen on Dr. Christopher’s 100 Herb List—a reflection of the way they help the body function more efficiently and breathe more freely, on both physical and energetic levels. Apples support healthy digestion, circulation, and liver function, which in turn can improve cellular oxygenation and energy levels. The malic acid found in apples may help improve mitochondrial function (our cells’ energy production), and their natural alkalizing effect reduces internal stress, allowing oxygen to be more readily utilized. Dr. Edward Shook taught that many of the valuable acids and mineral salts are concentrated just under the skin—so whenever possible, don’t peel your apples!

In a symbolic sense, apples help us lighten the load—cleansing the body, clearing the mind, and making space for renewal. They bring in fresh energy, clarity, and flow—just like a deep breath.

I love getting my apples from a local fruit stand—we buy them by the box and keep them on hand all fall and into winter for eating, juicing, and sharing.

Dr. Christopher’s Apple Wisdom

Dr. Christopher taught that fresh, unsweetened apple juice could help with the following:

• Reduce stomach acidity
• Prevent fermentation in the digestive tract
• Support the kidneys to help prevent stone formation

He also found that ripe, juicy apples eaten before bed could:

• Relieve even the most stubborn cases of constipation
• Ease sleeplessness
• Decrease liver toxicity

Apples are gentle, nourishing, and incredibly effective.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Nature’s Daily Tonic

Dr. Christopher also recommended raw apple cider vinegar as one of his daily supplements. When made from fresh, organic apples and allowed to ferment naturally (with the mother still present), it can:

• Restore the body’s acid-alkaline balance
• Provide potassium and other essential minerals
• Act as a gentle antipathogenic agent
• Support digestion and help dissolve stones and calculi throughout the body

This humble tonic deserves a permanent place in the pantry.

As the seasons change, now is the perfect time to “eat under our own fig tree” and embrace the gifts Mother Earth is offering. Apples are cleansing, strengthening, and deeply aligned with autumn rhythms. And best of all—they’re delicious.

Tara Christopher Eyre is a Master Herbalist and Foot Zone Therapist who loves helping people find and stay on their path to better health. She is grateful to walk in the footsteps of her grandfather, Dr. John R. Christopher, and finds joy in sharing simple, natural ways to support the body and soul.
 

References: 

Herb Syllabus by Dr. John R. Christopher