Imagine a freshly baked apple pie, fields of brightly colored orchards, and the crisp crunch of a Granny Smith—we just love apples in the fall! While they're mostly used for food, apples also have an interesting history in beauty, skin care, and health.
Did you know that apples and their fermented counterpart, apple cider vinegar, can be used as a digestion aid, hair rinse, and household cleaner? Enzyme-rich cider vinegar has had a long holistic history, going back to the ancient Greeks—
drink it with honey for medicinal purposes. These days, it's widely accepted in Asian cultures to drink this light vinegar to aid in digestion and neutralize the body's pH levels.
Apples have recently become a critical ingredient in stem cell technology. Scientists claim that this specific apple stem cell strain (called PhytoCellTecMalus) can dramatically reduce wrinkles and improve the condition of the hair follicle and reduce thinning. The studies on these fruit extracts are relatively new, so there's more research to look forward to. For now, try these three KBLS beauty recipes and remember why apples are one of the most functional fruits for fall.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR HAIR RINSE
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar Cold-pressed and organically grown. We like Bragg's brand—found at a health store.
- 3 cups warm water
After a week is up, dilute a third of a cup of your rosemary cider mixture with three cups of warm water in a bottle, and mix well. Take the bottle into the shower with you and pour all the rinse over your hair after you shampoo. Wash it out thoroughly after a few minutes.
VINEGAR AND HONEY LOTION
- 1 tablespoon honey Any organic brand
- 1/2 teaspoon wheat germ oil or apricot kernel oil Cold-pressed olive oil works too
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar Cold-pressed and organically grown. We like Bragg's brand—found in health-food stores
APPLE GRANOLA FACE MASK
- 1/2 fresh apple, chopped Any kind
- 2 tablespoons colloidal oatmeal (finely ground particles) Available at health-food stores
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk Full fat
- 1 tablespoon oat starch (to thicken) Available at health-food stores
KBLS Tip: Apple cider vinegar is still a strong chemical, so be careful about the amount you use and the potency of your formula.
KBLS Tip: Beauties with sugar, gluten, or fruit allergies should not try these recipes.