Simple, whole, unprocessed and organic foods such as homemade bone broth soup, has significant positive effects that help create a healthier environment.  In traditional Chinese medicine, marrow is considered a Jing Essence, or kidney energy, which controls reproductive energy. Homemade bone broth soup is filled with minerals as well as good fats and simple protein. The use of Chinese herbs nourishes the body and digestive system. This versatile recipe can be enjoyed on its own or used in other delicious healthy recipes.

Ingredients:

Roasted Chicken

  • 1 – 3 lbs large whole organic, free-range, hormone-free and antibiotic-free
  • Chicken
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Lemon
  • 2 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 3 sprigs of Rosemary or Sage

Stock

  • 2 large organic Carrots, peeled & cut in half
  • 3 organic Celery Stalks
  • 1 organic tomato, cut in half
  • 1 large Onion, cut in half
  • 2 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar

Chinese Herbs

  • 1 Large Handful Gou Qi Zi or Goji Berries (Lycii Berry or Wolfberr Fruit) Choose the less bright ones to ensure no colorants have been added.
  • 3 Pieces of Shan Yao (Dioscorea or Chinese Wild Yam)
  • 3 Pieces, tongue depressor size – Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)
  • 2 Pieces Bai Shao Yao (White Peony)
  • 3 Pieces Hong Zao (Dried Chinese Red Jujube Dates
  • 3 Pieces Fu Ling Poria

 

Directions:

  1.     Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2.     Drizzle olive oil on chicken and rub sea salt and pepper
  3.     Insert lemon halves, 2 sprigs of thyme, a bay leaf and sprigs of rosemary or sage into the cavity
  4.     Roast chicken for 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes with cooking fluids until done
  5.     When cooked, slice off most of the meet off dinner. Leftover meat can be store in the fridge.
  6.     Place carrots, celery, tomato, onion, and apple cider vinegar in a large stock pot and fill it with cold filtered water.
  7.     Wash and add Gou Qi Zi, Shan Yao, Huang Qi, Bai Shao Yao, Hong Zao and Kun Ling Poria to the pot. You can find these herbs in any Chinese herbal dispensary or Chinese grocery store.
  8.     When chicken is cooked, place bones and skin into the stock pot and bring to boil for 12 hours. Lower to high simmer to minimize bubbling. If you need to leave the house, you may take the pot off the stove and store it in the fridge while you are gone. Alternatively, you may leave it simmering in an electric crock pot for 12 hours.
  9.     Using a slotted spoon, remove all chicken pieces, herbs, vegetables and place them In a sieve over a large bowl to collect any stock. Discard pieces and strain the remaining stock over the bowl.
  10.  Use immediately or cool stock and pour into separate containers to freeze. The stock can be used for cooking or as a soup base.

Effects of Chinese Herbs:

Gou Qi Qi or Goji Berries: Believed to nourish the blood and kidneys, lower blood sugar, have antioxidant properties, prevent fat build-up, liver cells, and help regenerate live cells.

Shan Yao: Believed to nourish digestion, nourish kidney and reproductive energy in men and women, regulate menstruation, lower blood sugar, soothe mood, aid sleep and benefit overall blood and energy.

Huang Qi: Considered an overall tonic that regulate blood sugar and enhances sleep, energy and libido as well as the immune system and metabolism.

Bai Shao Yao: Thought to nourish the blood, soothe the liver, soothe abdominal cramps and nourish nutritive (yin) energy. Used to help endometriosis, ovarian cysts and menstrual cramps and to regulate menstruation.

Hong Zao: Believed to calm the nervous system, inhibit cell mutation, protect the liver, improve energy and have an antihistamine action which benefits the immune system.

Fu Ling Poria: Believed to aid and strengthen digestion, decrease water retention, reduce stomach acid, calm the heart, soothe the nerves and sometimes help with insomnia.