History
Broth is an ancient food that traditional cultures and trained chefs have been using for ages, and it has recently regained popularity. Broth is an inexpensive and versatile source of nutrients. You may have seen the countless blogs and media outlets touting its many presumed health benefits.
Years ago, many families kept a pot of broth simmering on the hearth. This provided an easy base for soups and other recipes and also a way to keep the broth fresh before the invention of refrigerators. It’s one of the many traditional foods that we’ve largely forgotten in modern culture.
What is bone broth?
Broth is easily and simply made by boiling bones (beef, chicken, fish, etc) in water with an acid (like vinegar) and optional spices, vegetables and herbs. Broth can boil for as little as 4 hours or up to 48 (or more as traditional cultures did). It will yield a flavourful liquid perfect for sipping or using as a base for soups and stews.
What are the benefits of bone broth?
Bone broth has been purported to have many health benefits. It is rich in phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium, so it is great for promoting healthy teeth and bones, and is also said to have immune-system boosting properties. Bone broth is high in collagen, so it is also believed to promote healthy joints, skin, and hair. It’s even been reported to help improve the appearance of cellulite as its high collagen content helps to smooth connective tissues and reduce the appearance of ‘orange peel’ skin, although more research needs to be done on this topic.
Bone broth advocates say it can also relieve joint pain and osteoarthritis, detoxify the liver, aid in wound healing, prevent aging skin, support digestive health, balance hormones, increase energy, strengthen bones, improve quality of sleep and alleviate symptoms from certain autoimmune conditions.
How to make bone broth at home
Another of the many bone broth benefits is the fact that you can make it at home easily. Home-made bone broth is different from the prepackaged broth and stock you can buy at the grocery store, because it’s lower in sodium and is packed full of nutrients. So if you want to incorporate this nutrient-rich liquid into your diet, simply roast healthy animal bones (you can use organic poultry, beef, or fish) and then boil together with herbs and spices to make a stock. Simmer the broth for a few hours in order to give enough time for the bones to break down and release all the nutrient-rich goodness, then enjoy! See a more detailed explanation down below:
A simple way to make it is to save bones from other meals. For instance, a chicken carcass that is complete with beak and claws may make a good basis for a bone broth.
Many butchers and meat sections at grocery stores also sell any bones that they have available.
To make homemade bone broth, try the following recipe:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 ounce of vinegar
- 3–4 pounds of bones and tissues
Boil the ingredients together in a large pot or slow cooker, then reduce to a simmer for 10–24 hours before letting it cool. Strain through a cheesecloth and pour into smaller containers for storage.
It might also help to add salt, vegetables, and spices such as sage or thyme to give the broth more flavour.
After making a big batch of broth, store it in smaller containers in the freezer. Heat these smaller containers as needed, and the broth will last longer.
At pH Clinic we support all the benefits you get from drinking bone broth, that is why we sell bone broth. We always recommend to drink bone broth after you had a colonic.
