Apple
苹果 · Píng Guǒ
Eases queasy stomachs, dry mouth, and hangovers
Properties
CoolingCooling botanicalSweet, Sour
Concerns
What it does
Apple eases a queasy stomach, dry mouth, and the heavy feeling after overeating. In TCM, sweet-sour cool fruits like apple replenish lost fluids and gently boost the stomach without overloading it. That makes it a go-to during recovery from illness or when appetite is weak. It's also a classic remedy for hangovers, used to clear what TCM calls alcohol toxicity.
How to take it
Slice 1 fresh apple, simmer in 3 cups water with a few slices of ginger for 20 minutes. Drink the warm liquid and eat the cooked apple. Helps with hangovers and dry throat.
Try cooked apple with ginger when you have a queasy stomach
Eat a fresh apple a day. Stewed with cinnamon for digestion. Sliced into salads, oats, or yogurt.
Snack on a fresh apple, or stew slices with cinnamon when your stomach feels off
Safety
- Generally very safe as a food
- Cool nature can aggravate cold-pattern digestion. Cook the apple if your gut runs cold
- Apple seeds contain trace cyanide. Do not eat handfuls of seeds
- Talk to your doctor before starting medicinal use, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Apples have been cultivated for over 4,000 years, originating in central Asia near modern Kazakhstan. They reached China through trade routes during the Han Dynasty. In Chinese medicine, apples are classified as a fluid-generating fruit and frequently appear in dietary therapy for hot, dry conditions. Ten modern clinical trials have explored apple's effects on cholesterol, blood sugar, and digestive health, though most of that research focuses on whole apples, not extracts.