A good broth is one of the most nurturing things to enjoy. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and easy to digest. But did you know that you can make your broth even more healing by adding in herbs? This is a recipe for an Herbal Veggie Broth using vegetable scraps from your kitchen. By saving carrot tops, broccoli stems, celery ends/leaves, onion skins and more…….you can get the most out of the vegetables you purchase!
Directions:
Here’s how to reduce waste and use your vegetable scraps to create a healing Herbal Veggie Broth. This recipe supports your body through nutrition as well as increasing immunity or other fluids, depending on the herbs you pick. Using a herbal stock can help you maintain vital energy throughout the winter season. Add it to your favorite recipes as you please!
1) Save food scraps from cooking until you have collected approx. 2 quarts of assorted food scraps. (Use old yogurt containers to save vegetable scraps & store in freezer)
2) Add the scraps to your soup pot once you’ve collected enough
3) Add in approximately 2 ounces of dried herbs
4) Cover with 1 gallon of water
5) Simmer for 4-6 hours. Using a crock pot is a great way to let this cook down without burning.
6) Strain out veggies scraps & herbal plant material.
7) Use this herbal infused concentrate in your soup, rice, ect, as you would any stock.
Recommended Herbal Veggie Broth Amount for a 2 quart soup= One Pint
Store extra in fridge or freezer & add as needed. Will keep in fridge 4-5 days.
PRO-TIPS
**Use organically raised animal bones if desired for a collagen rich stock-make sure to crack them!
*try these herbs first as a tea if your not sure if you’ll like the taste- Reishi is bitter!
HERBS TO CONSIDER USING IN YOUR HERBAL VEGGIE BROTH:
Astragulus root- Historically used for boosting the Immune System, this sweet tasting root is considered a Lung and Spleen Tonic in TCM. Traditionally used as a soup stock ingredient, it benefits from long Cooking. Use in fall to increase winter immunity.
Ashwagandha root- Historically used for failure to thrive and malnutrition in Ayurvedic traditions, this bitter & earthy tasting adaptogenic herb is also known for helping with sleep & stress. Traditionally combined with boiled milk, this energy tonic is a good addition if you are re-building your nervous system after prolonged stress. *Note: Ashwagandha is in the nightshade family and may not be suitable for folks sensitive to this plant family
He Shou Wu- This soy treated root from the Polygonum family is well known for containing lecithin and is considered a Kidney Yang & Blood Tonic as well as being famously used for restoring natural hair color. Helpful for folks that are dry and cold.
Goji berries- This delicious tasting berry is one that you don’t need to strain out-in fact these are delicious in cereal & breakfast porridge. Considered a Liver-Yin Tonic, these help with many symptoms of dryness and are also considered a helpful herb for the eyes- lots of beta carotene.
Reishi Slices- This renown immune tonic is also considered an adaptogen & is famously used to help stimulate & modify the immune system. Helpful for switching the immune system from an inflammation (cytokine) response to seek-and-destroy T-fighter cells.
Shatavari root- Sometimes called the Goddess Herb, this Yin-tonic root is actually asparagus root. Used to increase fluids and calm symptoms of dryness. A great addition for increasing lubrication and moisture in the body.
If you enjoyed this recipe and would like to learn more about Adaptogenic Herbs, head out Blog Post: What are Adaptogens by Cositas Bonitas Botanicals
Want to support Bonita in her herbal business? Check out her website here!
