One of the most popular and well-known health recommendations in the Cayce 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 one’s system and help relieve oneself of chronic aches and pains. Overall, the apple diet seems to be almost a must for us all a few times a year, if for no other reason than it quite thoroughly cleanses and detoxifies the system.
The first step in the diet is to get your apples!
The readings identified the “jenneting” varieties of apples to be best for the routine. Two easily obtained apples within this category are Jonathan and Delicious. Basically “jenneting” apples are those 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 or before St. John’s Day, June 24! I love tidbits of information like this as much as apples!
The readings actually state that raw apples should always be eaten alone – never with other foods and never in conjunction with castor oils packs (some people have come to believe the opposite through misinformation – so please heed this admonition). As you can see from this quote, it’s an important one: ” Do not attempt to use the Apple Diet as a cleanser, if using the Oil Packs.” (Cayce)
Basically, the diet is simple.
Three days of apples (the right apples as mentioned above), plenty of water, and rest. Here’s one reading on the apple diet:
“It would be well for this body, even after this, to have a three-day apple diet, even in its weakened condition we need to clear the system. For this will get rid of the tendencies for neuritic conditions in the joints of the body. Also take the Olive Oil after the three-day diet. But don’t go without the apples – eat them – all you can – at least five or six apples each day. Chew them up, scrape them well. Drink plenty of water, and follow the three-day diet with the big dose of Olive Oil.” (Cayce)
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 you should be sure to have that available. If you are on an oil-restricted diet, you can extend the apples for four to five days.
As mentioned above, rest is important during the apple diet. A “regular Apple Diet would be well for the body – but don’t try to work like a horse when you are on the Apple Diet! or else we will find it will be more detrimental than helpful!” (Cayce)
I tried this several years ago with wonderful results. I felt great and energized.
How much weight one is expected to lose please?
Hello Claire,
Edgar 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. Maybe others who have done it can share if they had a difference in their weight, but Cayce did not recommend it for those looking to lose weight.
Hello,
Can diabetics do this protocol?
Thank you
i am on my 3rd day today .cant wait to eat green salad…
i heard that it heals acne a lot….
Did you end up healing your acne? I found this detox many years ago when researching how to heal my chronic cystic acne. I’d already done Acutane, and the acne came back over a year later, and I wasn’t about to ever to Acutane again, so… I found this detox and tried it. It might not have been this site, because what I read highly recommended peeling the apples, even though they are organic, to minimize environmental toxins, and also to do enemas. So I did all that, and felt so great by the end of 3 days that I continued to 7, and during that week, my cystic acne went away! I was also washing my face with baking soda during that time, doing a 50/50 apple cider vinegar/water toner (applying with a cotton ball), then moisturizing with a little organic olive oil. But yea, it was gone that week, and never came back. I was so happy!
Acne can be helped with with zinc supplements, seek a naturopath. don’t do ink soft drinks
My concern is it is a rare thing to find real Olive oil anymore. Most if not all are mixed with other oils or not really olive at all. I wonder if this can be done with coconut oil?
You may find 100% Organic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, that is not mixed with anything else, here:
https://www.baar.com/olive-oil-16-oz/
Edgar Cayce was specific with it being Olive Oil. We do not believe it should be substituted with any other oil.
I just started the apple diet with organic Delicious apples. I eat the entire apple with the skin. Is this ok?
Hi Joyce,
It is absolutely recommended that the apples be eaten with the skin, as the skin has the highest concentration of vitamins and fiber!
Can the apples be cooked at all? Something about raw apples makes my mouth numb. Cooking helps this. Obviously the method would matter, I’m sure they’d.have to be cooked without anything but water.
Hi Ian,
Most of the Cayce readings regarding the apple diet are very explicit that one should only eat RAW apples for every meal over the course of three days. Here is an excerpt from reading (543-26):
“TEXT OF READING 543-26 F 29
4. For this, then, as we find, occasionally – not too often – take the periods for the cleansing of the system with the use of the APPLE DIET; that is:
5. At least for three days – two days or three days – take NOTHING except APPLES – RAW APPLES! Of course, coffee may be taken if so desired, but no other foods but the raw apples. And then after the last meal of apples on the third day, or upon retiring on that evening following the last meal of apples, drink half a cup of Olive Oil.
6. This will tend to cleanse the system.
7. Raw apples otherwise taken (except at such cleansing periods) are not so well for the body; though Olive Oil in small quantities taken at other periods is not so bad – is rather beneficial, as it is a food for the intestinal system by absorption as much as by activity upon the organs of the assimilating forces; but the smaller doses are the better.”
Other readings, such as (3673-1), (2423-1), and (1622-1) also specify that the apples only be eaten raw. Baked or steamed apples may have been mentioned on rare occasion, but not in relation to the “apple diet”.
What does this mean?: ”Raw apples otherwise taken (except at such cleansing periods) are not so well for the body;”
Does this mean that eating raw apples when not fasting on them is harmful? If yes, that is very weird… what about the saying: ”An apple a day…”
Doing the Apple diet this coming Thursday, wish me luck:^) I’ll get back to you the following Sunday.
Can you please let me know why we have to drink the olive oil, what does it do to my body
Cayce recommended internal doses of Olive Oil for a variety of physical problems, including cholecystitis, poor assimilations, toxemia, intestinal and liver disorders, adhesions, lacerations, constipation, general debilitation and acidity. He didn’t state specifically, but he likely recommended it to assist in toxin and acid removal, and improve the assimilation and general function of the digestive system.
Cayce commented that having the olive oil on the third day helps flush the gallbladder, and soothes the intestines.
I have a friend who recently did the apple diet with great results. She has a slightly different way of doing it. I’m curious about the details and following it properly. She ate raw apples for three days and warm water- at the end of the third day she took one spoonful of olive oil and said it cleaned her out wonderfully. But I’m reading here and in other blogs about also drinking coffee and consuming much larger amounts of olive oil. Please clarify.
Thank you
Hi Eileen,
There’s nothing wrong with drinking coffee while doing the apple diet if desired, but Cayce makes it clear that this is completely optional. If you do choose to drink coffee, just keep in mind that it can only be taken black; no cream or sugar.
As for olive oil, the amounts recommended by Cayce varied from person to person, anywhere from a few teaspoons to “half a teacup”. These amounts were based on the individual, but as a general suggestion, you should probably stick to the smaller end of this range. 2-3 teaspoons is a good baseline; too much and the excess oil could go rancid in the stomach, causing gas and discomfort.
How much is a ”half tea cup”?
My guess is that the apples clean the body in a general way and the oil completes the cleansing of the intestines and also promotes flushing of the gall bladder. For that reason, I like to use a bit more olive oil, at least 2 tablespoons. I have a bit of a hard time gagging the oil down, so I pour out the proper amount, hold my nose, down the hatch, and immediately suck on a wedge of lemon. I hope the lemon doesn’t ruin anything. It definitely cuts the oil residue in the mouth.
I am curious, I read that doing the castor oil wrap is contraindicated during this fast. Is is contraindicated to do the castor oil wrap on *any* body part for the time of the fast or to not do the castor oil wrap abominably during the time of the fast? Also, does anyone know *why* the abdominal castor oil wrap is to be avoided during the apple fast?
Thanks,
~Deb
Hi Debbie,
Cayce does indeed sternly caution against using castor oil packs while on the Apple Diet, but unfortunately does not elaborate as to why. Here is the entirety of what he has said on the subject:
TEXT OF READING 543-27 F 29
7. As we find, the BETTER course would be to begin with the Oil Packs again, over the liver and the caecum area. Continue these for periods of four to five days, at least an hour ro an hour and a half a day; rest from same a week and then begin again.
11. DO NOT attempt to use the Apple Diet as a cleanser, if using the Oil Packs.
If you have further questions or would like more information, you may call Baar’s technical assistance department at 1-610-873-4591, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm EST.
“Raw apples otherwise taken (except at such cleansing periods) are not so well for the body”
Really? Do you know the reason why for this? I’ve been eating a granny smith apple a day for the past couple weeks, for cleansing purposes, and I swear it’s giving me the same effect as having done a liver flush. I feel the same sensations in my liver/gallbladder area that I do when I’ve done a flush – stuff moving out. I know I released a lot of gunk because I went through a detox period (felt ill from the release- but came out feeling better than before) and had to tend to my colon.
This made me read-up on apples and I’ve found that the malic acid, pectins, and fiber all work in conjunction. I also read on another forum that someone experienced the same thing as I, the effects of having done a liver flush with just eating apples alone.
Apples are an amazing food.
I do this detox 1 to 4 times a year. Winter apples don’t have much flavor. I always drop 5 to 7 pounds but gain it back again. Using Braggs organic EVOO this time. Have used Kirkland Signature EVOO in the past. I always have a craving for pizza and ravioli I used to eat as a kid, when on this detox diet. Pizza is made with addicting properties. You will feel lighter but most importantly we all need to get rid of toxins. Now more that ever before.
Hi
I started the apple diet yesterday and decided to check my blood sugar with my mom;s meter (she’s diabetic and takes meds). My sugar level was 222 yesterday evening after eating 8 apples for the day. I decided to check it again this morning and it was 245, way to high. I wished I had checked it before I began, maybe it was high all along and I didn’t know it. So, I am cutting off the fast after today so I can end with the oil flush. Then it’s time to follow the diet that I should be on anyway. The next day after the cleanse, is it recommended to do the castor packs or wait awhile?
Thank
Hi Linda,
Because Cayce cautioned against using Castor Oil Packs while on the Apple Diet, We would recommend waiting a couple days between the last day of the Apple Diet and your next oil pack, just to be on the safe side.
My searches say Red and Golden Delicious apples ripen in autumn. I’m using Galas since they are early ripening and that’s all I can find organic here. Are they ok? Thanks.
The Apple Diet readings specified apples of the “jenneting” variety. These include: Jonathan, Black Arkansas, Red and Golden Delicious, Oregon Red, Sheepnose, and Arkansas Russet. These apple varieties were the ones ripening early in the harvesting season. As the harvesting season is generally observed as between the end of June through the beginning of November, you should look for ones that ripen before October. Jonathan and Delicious varieties are available in many large grocery stores. Some of the other apple types can be hard to find at times. There weren’t concerns about artificially ripened and preserved fruit back in Cayce’s day. So we prefer to use organic and/or chemical free apples. Apples grown as close to you as possible are the best choices.
I have doubts about any apples being ripe in June! I believe Geneting refers to Ralls Genet apples (aka Ralls Janet). This was crossed with Delicious to make Fuji. In a different reading he expanded the list of apples that would work.
As for the olive oil, get down what you can but stop if you feel like it’s going to make you vomit.
There are 2 different olive oil recommendations following the 3 day protocol – “Two to three teaspoons is the general recommendation” vs “half a cup of olive oil” … which is it, please?
The amounts recommended by Cayce varied from person to person, ranging anywhere from a few teaspoons to “half a teacup”. These amounts were based on the individual, so as a general suggestion, you should probably stick to the smaller end of this range. 2-3 teaspoons is a good baseline; too much and the excess oil could go rancid in the stomach, causing gas and discomfort.
I live in India. I am planning to do the apple diet. I would like to know what is the purpose behind drinking the olive oil on the fourth morning. Kindly reply.
Cayce describes olive oil as both a laxative and a valuable food for the intestine, helping with a variety of conditions such as inflammation of the gallbladder, poor assimilations, toxemia, epilepsy, intestinal and liver disorders, adhesions, lacerations, constipation, and acidity.
I am looking for apples for the apple diet and the Red Delicious are hard to find and of poor quality, so I did some research on them to see what is related to them as a substitute. I found out Red Delicious are low acid apples, so I wondered if perhaps that was why Cayce recommended them. I found a list of low acid apples online, and the only ones I recognized were Fuji, Gala, and JonaGold.
Researching Fuji apples- I found they are a cross between Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Genet. Perhaps that is what Jeneting means? Geneting? I thought that was interesting!
Also, Gala apples are a cross between Golden Delicious and something called Kidd’s Orange Red Apple.
Sandi….: looks like you’re spot on: The Virginia Ralls Genet indeed is known by many other names, including, as you suggest, Jenneting and other derivations. This from Brave Browser AI:
Virginia Ralls Genet is known for its firm, crisp, and tender flesh with a subacid, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor. It is a parent of the popular Fuji apple variety and has been used extensively in modern apple breeding programs.
Growing Conditions
The apple is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7 and attracts bees. It is not resistant to disease but is highly tolerant and can produce clean fruit even if the tree is affected by fireblight or scab.
Variety Names
The apple has been known by many names over the years, including Ralls Janet, Genet, Geneton, Geniton, Gennetin, Gennetting, Ginet, Indiana Janetting, Indiana Jannetting, Janet, Janet de Rawle, Janetting, Jefferson Pippin, Jeniton, Jennett, Jennette, Jenniton, Missouri Janet, Never Fail, Neverfail, Ralls, Ralls Genet, Raul’s Genetting, Raul’s Gennetting, Raule Jannet, Raule’s Genet, Raule’s Janet, Raule’s Janett, Raule’s Jannating, Raule’s Jannet, Raule’s.
Source for vaiety names is probably: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/horne-creek-farm/southern-heritage-apple-orchard/learn-more/apple-variety-information/apple-index-ralls-janet-red-rebel
Is there any recommendations for either doing or avoiding the Apple cleanse if one might be, or is, pregnant?
Having some significant GI upset (loose-ish frequent dark stools) and looking for a cleanse that could help rebalance my gut!
Hello Heather,
Check with your doctor whether there’d be any issues doing a castor oil pack.