Apple Water 苹果水 – a Snack to Aid Digestion, Benefit the Spleen/Stomach
Late summer is associated with the spleen organ system, the foundation of digestion. Proper digestion of the food we eat is so important for both general health and supporting neigong practice. With apples now ripening and ready for harvest, now is a great time to make use of local, in-season fruit and support our spleen/stomach with this delicious snack that aids digestion and helps to remove dampness (the spleen’s worst enemy).
Apple water (or we could call it apple soup) is also a great prelude to pear soup, one of the best snacks to promote health and balance in autumn. The second half of the summer is a good time in general to get more bang for your buck therapeutically (see the post on “dong bing xia zhi” 冬病夏治 Preparing for Winter in Summer) .
Apple water itself is considered nourishing to the stomach, and compared to eating cold apples with the skin still on, it is easier to digest. Combining herbs with apple water is a popular snack among yang sheng “nourishing life” diet enthusiasts. There are many variations on the recipe that use different herb and flower combinations to produce different results. Another great combination for benefiting the spleen/stomach and improving digestion is to use apples with shan zha 山楂 (hawthorn) and hong zao 红枣 (jujube dates).
The following recipe is particularly good for supporting the spleen/stomach and removing dampness from the body:
- sliced apples
- shan zha (hawthorn)
- chen pi (aged tangerine peel)
- fuling (poria)
Benefits of each ingredient:
Apple 苹果 – enters the spleen and stomach meridians, aids in digestion and the production of body fluids, relieves restlessness and improves sleep, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements, good source of potassium, antioxidants and vitamins (C, B, E).
Shan Zha 山楂 (Hawthorn) – enters the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians, resolves food stagnation (roasting the hawthorn improves the effect)
Chen Pi 陈皮 (Aged Tangerine Peel – I used 10 year) – enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians, regulates qi, regulates ascending/descending of spleen and lung qi and relieves the diaphragm, resolves dampness and phlegm, good for treating qi stagnation in the middle jiao.
Fuling 茯苓 (Poria) – enters the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney meridians, drains dampness, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the middle jiao.
Preparation Instructions
Slice apples and grab a pinch of each of the herbs (start with a small amount of each as shown). Combine in filtered water and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. I then strain the water into a soup bowl and pick the cooked apple slices out of the cooked herbs and place them in the soup.
This makes for a great evening snack, especially when we feel the need to give the spleen/stomach a bit of a boost and/or could use something moistening. Of course, this is meant to be consumed in moderation.
