Brown apple

In Ayurveda, diarrhoea is said to be the result of weak digestive fire causing the accelerated movement of food through the digestive system. This super-simple recipe has come in handy over the years, especially during my travels as it’s usually relatively easy to find apples.

This is a great example of an Ayurvedic remedy making its way into other cultures, with this one being known as a classic household cure for an upset stomach. There are two main types of upset stomach: infection from parasites or bacteria; or a reaction to stress, emotional upset or poor food choices. Since the diarrhoea is a natural response by the body – an attempt to flush out toxins – we should if possible honour this natural purification and support our body by staying at home and resting, abstaining from food but making sure we stay hydrated by drinking hot water with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of honey every now and then. The second stage is to eat light soups, such as watery Kitchari (see here), plain Lassis (see here) and this simple remedy.

Serves 1

1 Grate 1 apple, then leave it for 20 minutes–1 hour to go brown. Eat it slowly, chewing well.