Nature’s Bone Broth, from the Marrow of the Earth

Introducing a plant based bone broth

Moving beyond the bone broth hype I would like to introduce nature’s bone broth- the marrow from the earth. This stew, keep in mind, has no bones in the recipe, it is totally plant based. At home we think of medicinal mushrooms as the marrow of the earth. Thus, nature’s bone broth.

This plant-based broth is an integral nourishing component in the remove, replace, reinoculate and repair protocol I use with patients across a wide spectrum of health conditions. It is a great meal during an extended detoxification process or in place of a water-fast, especially in the cold season. The ingredients are specially selected because of their following properties:

1. Deeply nourishing
2. Immune modulators and builders
3. Prebiotic
4. Easy to digest

Prebiotics not probiotics?

Probiotics are well known. They have found their way into everyday conversation and a wide array of commercial products. The benefits, however, are often not consistent for many people. The reason for that may be explained with the following metaphor. Each human body is like a garden with its own unique soil conditions, flora and environmental needs. Probiotics, generally speaking, are like a generic pack of seeds, fertilizer and starter off the Walmart shelf. Using it in your garden may stimulate growth or not- but it does not answer the garden’s unique environmental needs.

So what is a prebiotic? Prebiotics are foods that selectively feed the good bacteria and starve out the bad bacteria present in the gut, optimizing the internal environment.

There are at least 50 genera of bacteria that live in the human colon. They feed on undigested carbohydrates such as soluble fiber and resistant starch. In turn, they produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are essential for maintaining an optimal environment in the digestive tract. This process feeds the good bacteria and starves out the bad within the gut.

Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are the most widely researched beneficial colonies in the microbiome. Selectively supporting them through targeted prebiotic nutrition helps to starve out competing harmful bacterial overgrowth. This strategy is known as prebiotic support and may even play a more important role than probiotics. Starchy “prebiotic” vegetables are those that have high levels of fructooligosaccharides, inulin and galactooligosaccharides. These components increase production potential of SCFAs to ensure large intestinal health.

Nature’s Bone Broth – ingredient list

The veggies

Leek, garlic, onion – Prebiotics

Leafy greens like chard or kale, mung beans – Nutrient Dense

Carrots – taste

Nettles – Antioxidation and detoxification support

The mushrooms

Shiitakes – Immunomodulators

Reishi, lion’s mane mushroom extract  – Adrenal and Nervous system support

Turkey tail mushroom extract – Microbiome support

The roots

Burdock and Jerusalem artichoke – Prebiotics

Ginger and Turmeric – Antioxidation and detoxification support

Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal fungi have a rich history of traditional use in healing soups and broths. Check out the article on Shiitake mushrooms. As nature’s recyclers, fungi break down complex non-toxic and toxic materials to their core elements as part of the soil forming process. The medicinal mushrooms Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail have significant immunomodulatory properties towards harmful bacteria and viruses, autoimmune disorders and even cancer.^1-5 Likened to the marrow of the earth, these medicinal mushrooms are well placed in any deep healing or detoxification protocol.

Burdock root

Arctium lappa, known as burdock, is widely used in popular medicine for hypertension, gout, hepatitis and other inflammatory disorders.  Burdock is rich in chromium, iron, magnesium, silica, thiamine and vitamin C. Typical in Japanese cuisine and even Cherokee stews, burdock is well documented in its immune strengthening and digestive properties.

Pharmacological studies indicate that burdock roots have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging and cancer anti-proliferative activities.⁶ Meaning it provides liver support to perform detoxification and supports system-wide health during detoxification and increased systemic stress. It evens help to restore liver function in chronic alcohol toxicity.⁷

As a prebiotic, burdock contains inulin. As previously discussed, inulin stimulates the growth of beneficial lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.⁸ Inulin is a soluble fiber that passes through the small intestines and then ferments in the large intestine serving its special role promoting a healthy intestinal microbiome.

Nature’s Bone Broth – recipe

1. Break up the dried shiitake mushrooms, chop up the greens, roots and add them to a stew pot of boiling water.
2. Stew it for over an hour until the different ingredients begin to break apart and melt into the broth.
3. Add dried black pepper and a spoonful of turmeric powder.
4. Stir in the medicinal mushroom powders (reishi, lion’s mane and turkey tail)
5. In issues of convalescence, include overcooked unhulled barley in the broth

This is perfect for an extended detoxification process in place of a complete fast. Serve for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Disclaimer. The information represented in this article is meant to provide concepts from evidence based research. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition. For appropriate treatment methods please contact your healthcare provider.