BITTER APPLE RIDS PEOPLE OF ACNE

WHAT IS BITTER APPLE?

 Bitter apple, desert gourd, Abu Jehl’s melon, Citrullus colocynths, bitter cucumber, egusi, vine of Sodom or wild gourd is a poisonous desert viny plant grown in Mediterranean and West Asia. It is like a small melon with light green and yellow color. Its roots are perennial, stems are angular tough, and rough vine-like shrub spread on the ground and may climb on the trees.

WHICH ARE THE PROPERTIES OF BITTER APPLE?

Bitter apple has many curing properties as the fruit, stem, roots and even leaves have antioxidative, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastrointestinal, reproduction, protection, anti-microbial, antidiabetic, anti-allergic, immune-stimulating and many other properties.

HOW MUCH IS BITTER APPLE BENEFICIAL?

Bitter apple has been in human use in Asia, Africa and other regions for the centuries. In olden time, the poets had coined their poetic diction in praise of the bitter apple for its innumerable benefits and usefulness for human health. It has many properties which help people rid of many diseases and also prevent numerous disorders to make people their prey.

HOW DOES BITTER APPLE TREAT ACNE?

Among other benefits, the bitter apple has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic and antimicrobial properties and all these properties are the essentials to treat and prevent outbreak of acne. All other anti-acne products have some of these properties but bitter apple has additional characteristics making it highly potent herb for the treatment of acne.

HOW SHOULD BITTER APPLE BE USED?

The bitter can be used in various ways to treat acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, fungal infections, and other skin-related issues.

• SPOT APPLICATION

Bitter apple water can be used on the acne by mixing it with honey. It should be kept in mind that direct application of bitter apple water in pure form may prove to be somewhat detrimental to the highly sensitive skin so it is advisable to dilute it with something and honey is the best option for the purpose. The ratio may be as under;

1. One table spoon of bitter apple juice
2. Two table spoons of honey
3. It is good if one or two drops of lemon juice is added
4. The mixture should be stirred well to make a paste
5. The paste should be applied on the acne
6. Let it stay on affected area for 5-10 minutes
7. Rinse the affected area well with lukewarm water

• PRECAUTION

As a preventive measure, the eyes should not be exposed to bitter apple water or juice.

HOW TO GET BITTER APPLE WATER?

It is easy to get bitter apple water at home. It is suggested that a medium sized bitter apple should be placed in a glass or plastic bowl in a shade avoiding direct sunshine for a day or two and the bitter apple will excrete bitter odorous water which should be saved in a glass bottle. In order to avoid its odor, a few drops of rose water or lemon juice may be added to it.

• BITTER APPLE WATER FACEMASK

 The spot application of the paste based on bitter apple is good but facemask can be equally beneficial. It can be applied as;

1. Take two table spoons of bitter apple juice
2. Mix it in four table spoons of honey
3. Add three or four drops of lemon juice
4. Shake the mixture well into a thick paste
5. Apply the paste on the face save near to the eyes
6. Let it rest on the face for 5-10 minutes
7. Wash the paste with lukewarm water

• PRECAUTION

The mixture should be applied at a safe distance from the eyes as it may cause some irritation

HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD BITTER APPLE WATER BE USED?

Bitter apple water or juice has no severe side-effects however some minor issues may occur due to over-sensitive and over-reactive skin. It can be used daily by diluting it with honey but it is safe to use it twice a week to treat the acne as its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties are very effective to kill the acne-causing bacteria and other organisms. It removes dead skin cells and helps in opening the clogged pores and reducing overproduction of sebum.

HOW TO CONSUME BITTER APPLE?

 Taking bitter apple as a dose is more beneficial than its top application. It has been in use of the people for the numerous benefits for centuries such as;

1. Purifies blood and removes all acne-causing elements
2. Treats all types of fungal infections
3. Strengthens immunity system
4. Activates digestive system
5. Cures all factors causing constipation
6. Ensures gut health
7. Helps in controlling diabetes
8. Lowers blood pressure
9. Reduces pains in the body
10. Helps in reducing joint pain
11. Opens clogged arteries
12. Improves liver function
13. Helps in reducing weight
14. Cures cough and catarrh

It should be kept in mind that bitter apple should not be taken in pure form and should be mixed with something else to dilute it. The best option may be as under;

The following mixtures are just one dose and the ratio should be taken in view for preparing more quantity

1. Half tea spoon of bitter apple water and one table spoon of honey
2. Half tea spoon of bitter apple water and one table spoon of milk cream
3. Half tea spoon of bitter apple water and one table spoon of butter
4. Half tea spoon of bitter apple water and a glass of milk
5. Half tea spoon of bitter apple water and one table spoon of olive oil

It must be taken into consideration that all mixtures should be taken with a glass of milk and well before going to sleep.

HOW TO MAKE BITTER APPLE POWDER?

The fruit of the bitter apple should be dried in a shade with its rind by removing the seeds. When dried, it should be ground in grinder or should be malleated into a powder.

Dried leaves, stems and its roots can also be used to get the powder by grinding or malleating them

Again, it is advisable not to take bitter apple powder in pure form and should be mixed with other organic products for better results.

For one week use the mixture should be prepared with the following natural products;

One table spoon of bitter apple powder, half a table spoon of powdered fennel seed, one fourth table spoon of cardamom powder, one table spoon of carom seed powder and one table spoon of licorice powder and some black salt and a few drops of lemon juice can be mixed to make a very potent, effective and powerful powder. One table spoon of this powder should be taken daily with a glass of water or with a glass of milk for the issues given above.

• SUMMARY

In Asian and African countries, bitter apple is considered as a wonder plant and wonder fruit because of its countless health benefits. As it is not a product of European and adjacent regions, its benefits remain hidden from the people of those areas. In this way, a limited scope of studies and research is available there. However, its importance as far as human health is concerned is a well viewed and well acknowledges by the Asian and African physicians old and new. Bitter apple is disregarded by many because of its bitter taste but its health benefits are innumerable and should be taken beyond the taste. 

FAQs (Frequent Asked Questions)