When most of us start feeling like we are coming down with the sniffles, a cold or the flu, one of the very first things thought of is chicken soup. Whether mom, dad or grandma made it for you as a kid when you didn’t feel good, it is warm, comforting and delicious. Somehow, magically, it does seem to help.
Is it the power of the mind and suggestion? Or is there really something healing about this homemade fusion of meat, vegetables and spices?
Though it is not known exactly why this soup is so powerful there is some science to back up the claims.
HOW Chicken Soup Helps
- It has a proven anti-inflammatory effect which can help decrease upper respiratory infections.
- It helps to increase the movement of nasal fluid which allows the body to shed the germs, bacterial or viral load faster and more efficiently.
- Because it is a hot soup, it raises the body temperature allowing the body to help more efficiently burn off the illness.
How to make “Seriously Healing Chicken Soup” – A big thank you and recipe credit to Shannon of http://www.nourishingdays.com/.
Ingredients (organic preferably)
- 2 tablespoons butter (grass fed if possible)
- 1 onion
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 carrots
- 1 whole head of garlic (at least) plus 3 extra cloves
- 1 dash of ginger
- 1 1/2 quarts chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon thyme (at least) plus extra to finish
- diced chicken (optional)
- chopped leafy greens or other vegetables as desired
- splash of vinegar or lemon juice
- pink salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add diced onion, celery, carrots, and a pinch of sea salt. Saute for about five minutes, or until onions are translucent. Meanwhile chop up all of the garlic, setting aside 3 cloves that are finely minced. Add garlic to vegetables, saute one more minute, and add stock, thyme, and chopped leafy greens or other vegetables. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add cooked chicken if using, a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, and season with sea salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and taste the broth for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if necessary.
- For those who are under the weather add the remaining finely minced raw garlic and sprinkle in some extra thyme for good measure. Serve piping hot.
Each and every ingredient alone serves a purpose in healing and nourishing the body.
Grass Fed Butter: Packed with Vitamin K2 which helps clear arteries.
Onions: Contains a molecule known as quercetin – which works as an antioxidant
Celery: Contains antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin K, folate and potassium
Carrots: Contain beta-carotine and Vitamin A – anti-cancer and very healthy for eye health
Garlic: Anti-biotic/Anti-viral
Ginger: Has been shown to help boost immunity and help lessen nausea
Chicken Stock/Chicken:
Thyme: Has been shown to help stop coughing, boost immunity and acts as an anti-fungal
Greens: They are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help prevent arthritis and maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin
Vinegar: full of proteins and enzymes that help with gut bacteria health and over all wellness.
Lemon Juice: High in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus
Pink Salt: Contains all 72 trace minerals
Pepper: Helps the body more readily absorb nutrients in food.
Combined – they can work wonders!
So enjoy a bowl of soup no matter how good or badly you are feeling – it will do your body good!
Resources:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/the-science-of-chicken-soup/?_r=0
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270678.php
http://www.healthline.com/health/health-benefits-of-thyme
http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger/
http://authoritynutrition.com/grass-fed-butter-superfood-for-the-heart/
http://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/