Suvini Jayasekera, L.Ac MTCM
Traditionally across many different cultures, animal-product soup has been known as the "longevity" soup. Whether you decided to start your day with a cup of bone broth or end the day with a bone broth soup, it is nutrient-rich and easy to digest. Bone broth is great for those that have gut issues, joint/bone problems, or skin conditions. It is a must-have in our diets whether it is homemade in a crockpot/pressure cooker or store-bought.
Why is Bone Broth so important?
Bone Broth is rich in collagen/gelatine which improves the hydration, elasticity, and appearance of wrinkles in the skin. Bone Broth contains essential amino acids like proline, glycine, and glutamine. These are important in supporting the repair of the gut lining and bone mineral density. It is believed that the combination of gelatine and amino acids decreases inflammation along the gut wall and promotes proper digestion. Bone broth also contains omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is necessary for the development of the brain, eyes, and other organs. Bone broth is also full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur which are essential for proper brain health and strong immune system.
I prefer to make my bone broth out of scratch simply because it is more nutritious and the amount of ingredients such as salty and spices that are added can be controlled.
Here is my favorite way to make Bone Broth:
Place bones into a large pressure cooker or slow cooker and cover with drinking water. Make sure you leave space for the water to boil. Please note that it is best to cook with drinking water versus tap water.
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or slightly acidic vegetables such as carrots, celery, squash, and beets. This helps draw out minerals from the bones into the broth.
Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for at least 6 - 48 hours. You can remove the fat as it rises or you can leave it till the end.
The longer you leave the bones on the stove the more nutritious the soup will be.
Beef bones can be cooked for 48 hours and chicken bones can be cooked for 24 hours.
You can also add other herbs and spices to increase the nutritional value. Some of my favorites to add are rosemary, lemongrass, fennel, coriander seeds, black pepper, bay leaves, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and mustard seeds.
**Remember**
When making bone broth it is extremely important to know the source from which the animal comes. Making sure that the animals are fed organic foods and allowed forage is what makes the broth nutritious. It is also important to make sure that the animals have not been administered any antibiotics or hormones because our bone broth will be comprised of whatever they have absorbed into the bones as well.
Source:
Pitchford, Paul. "Healing with Whole Foods."
Daniel, K. T. “Why Broth is Beautiful: Essential Roles for Proline, Glycine, and Gelatin.” http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/why-broth-is-beautiful-essential-roles-for-proline-glycine-and-gelatin/#gsc.tab=0
Axe, Josh. "Eat Dirt."
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with your licensed healthcare provider with any conditionals regarding a medical condition.