One of the most popular and well-known health recommendations in Edgar Cayce’s readings is the apple diet. But make no mistake, Cayce did not intend this three-day regimen to be a weight loss strategy. The “diet” was recommended as a detox 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 necessity for all of us a few times a year, if only for another reason that it completely cleanses and detoxifies the system.
Searching for Cayce’s readings on the “apple diet” turns up just twenty-four documents. Interestingly, it has become one of the best-known and most widely applied Cayce “remedies.” I attribute this to the fact that it is an “easy” routine to follow and IT WORKS! Over the decades, I believe that the Cayce apple diet has enjoyed an enormous amount of word-of-mouth endorsement from one individual to another. I personally go on 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 apples! The readings identified the “jenneting” apple varieties as the best for grind. Two easily sourced apples in this category are Jonathan and Delicious. While writing this article, I decided to do a little research on “jenneting”. What exactly does the term mean? These apples are basically the ones that ripen early in the season. The term jenneting is derived from the name Jean or John and is so named because these apples ripen on June 24 or before Saint John’s Day. I love snippets like this as much as apples!
The readings actually indicate that raw apples should always be eaten alone, never with other foods, and never in conjunction with castor oil packets (some people have been led to believe otherwise through misinformation, so heed this warning) . As you can see from this quote, it is important: “Do not try to use the Apple Diet as a cleanser, if you use the Oil Packs.” (543-27)
Basically, the diet is simple. Three days of apples (the correct apples as mentioned above), lots of water, and rest. Here’s a read on the apple diet:
“It would be good for this body, even after this, to have an apple diet for three days, even in its weakened condition we have to cleanse the system. For this the tendency to neuritic conditions in the joints will be eliminated. Also take the oil olive after the three-day diet. But do not run out of apples, eat them as much as you can, at least five or six apples a day. Chew them, scrape them well. Drink plenty of water, and follow the three-day diet with the large dose of Olive Oil “. (1409-9)
The dose of olive oil is at the end of the diet. Two or three teaspoons is the general recommendation. Cold-pressed olive oil is much tastier, so make sure you have it available. If you are on an oil-restricted diet, you can extend the apples for four to five days. I have never done this, but I imagine the results would be quite remarkable and effective.
As mentioned above, rest is important during the apple diet. A “regular Apple Diet would be good for the body, but don’t try to work like a horse when on the Apple Diet! Otherwise we will find that it will be more harmful than helpful!” (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 little more challenged on the second day. Almost everyone, however, reports that on the third day the feeling of lightness and energy is well worth the effort. So for your health. Let us know your experiences and results.