7 Ingredients You Can Use to Enhance Your Bone Broth

1. Ginger

Ginger is an excellent addition to your broth. It’s an herb that’s been used for over 2000 years in Chinese medicine, which has been recommended to help cure and prevent several health problems including digestive discomforts, morning sickness, and common respiratory problems. Ginger also works to help gastrointestinal issues, alleviate pain, and decrease inflammation.  It is well known for its ability to stimulate the digestive system, in order to help with your appetite and digestive discomforts. Furthermore, it works very well as a decongestant, so it’s a great remedy for allergies and a stuffy nose.

When adding to your broth, peel the ginger and add a few chunks even before you turn on the stove. You’ll want to strain these chunks out of your soup when your broth is done boiling.  Not only is ginger a great foundation for numerous Chinese recipes, but will help to extract nutrients from your bones and make your base much more soothing on the throat.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and has numerous health benefits, but most importantly it’s known to be one of the best herbs out there that contributes to cancer prevention. Low rates of cancer in India can be attributed to the integral use of turmeric in an Indian diet.  It helps to strengthen immunities and can even be used to disinfect wounds. Furthermore, turmeric can be used to moderate insulin levels, which means that it’s an effective herb for reducing diabetes.

Once you’ve reduced your boiling water to a simmer, proceed to add a few chunks of peeled turmeric - if unavailable, use a teaspoon of the powdered product.  Not only can turmeric add a citrusy scent but has antimicrobial properties, which may be useful in cleansing contaminated meat products.

3. Ginseng

Ginseng has many benefits, but it’s most popularly known for its ability to improve concentration, memory, and attentiveness giving you that boost in mental capacity. It also helps to regulate libido, which translates into an increased sex drive. The last benefit we’re going to touch on about ginseng is that it provides an excellent means of reducing stress, increasing energy levels, and combatting obesity, as it is a powerful appetite suppressant.

A great way to use ginseng in your broth is to add it after reducing you have reduced the boiling broth to a simmer.  Believe it or not ginseng is notorious for achieving what is known as an “Umami” taste.  This is a Japanese word that can be translated to savory or meaty and is often referred to as the “fifth taste”.

4. Pu-erh Tea

Believe it or not, though Pu’erh tea is a caffeinated beverage, it has actually shown the ability to help regulate sleep patterns. It contains GABA, which is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system (CNS). GABA is typically used to help reduce anxiety, treat depression and fall asleep earlier. This means that consuming Pu’erh can allow you to likely experience more clarity, focus and help to actually reduce aging.

Before adding Pu’erh leave to your broth make sure to rinse the tealeaves once for about 2-3 seconds, place them in a closed cheesecloth or tea bag and directly put them into the boiling broth for 2-3 minutes before you lower it to simmer. If you decide to use this ingredient try to make sure that you obtain a high quality, as this will give your broth a full-bodied taste, which can be compared to a light apple wood.

5. Chaga

Chaga has some of the highest antioxidant levels known to man, far exceeding acai berries, pomegranate and blueberries. It’s also high in vitamins B, D and K and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron and zinc. Chaga is a form of mushroom, which typically takes up to 20 years to mature; undoubtedly, this plays a huge role in why it is able to remain so potent.  Chaga is also able to target dangerous cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells untouched.

Chaga mushrooms will also be added once you bring the broth to a simmer.  They are probably the most unique superfood as their color and flavor adapt to both savory broths and sweet desserts. Chaga mushrooms can help give your stock an earthy taste, most comparable to turnips, which some foodies crave.

6. Coconut Flakes

Coconut flakes are an excellent source of fibre, protein, iron, and zinc. Fibre is an incredibly important part of a healthy diet as it feeds all the awesome bacteria in your stomach whereas protein works hard to help build and repair your strong muscles. Natural iron is essential for driving oxygen to depleted cells, helping to reduce feelings of weakness and exhaustion.  Zinc, also a tremendously vital mineral, helps to strengthen your immune system and goes after your cuts and gashes to ensure they heal more rapidly.

Adding coconut flakes to your broth will give it a super unique taste. Make sure to add it directly before serving. Not only is the taste great, but it also provides an awesome texture!  These flakes will feel as if they are melting in your mouth while providing hints of coconut flavor. They are the perfect addition for those who love the taste of coconut and for who are want to add a bit of a kick to their life.

7. Butter or Coconut Oil

Fat for the win! Some of our favorite healthy fats are none other than butter and coconut oil.

Be sure to be getting yourself a high-quality butter, made from grass-fed cows, as a low-quality butter can come with some dairy proteins that aren’t the best for you. Butter has tons of great things in it, but none more so than vitamin K2, which some say is the missing ingredient that decalcifies your arteries. Coconut oil contains a healthy and rare blend of fatty acids, including those MCT’s that are becoming ever so popular. These fatty acids have numerous therapeutic properties. By raising levels of good cholesterol it has the ability to reduce heart disease. Ketogenic diets, which are high in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates, are now being used to help cope with numerous brain disorders from Alzheimer’s disease to epilepsy.  It’s also important to note that coconut oil is becoming increasingly popular as a cosmetic product, as it does a superb job in protecting your hair and moisturizing your skin.

Add a teaspoon of coconut oil or butter to your broth once your boiling water is brought to a simmer. Aside from all the health benefits, coconut oil and butter can help stop all your other ingredients from sticking to the pot. This will save a ton of hassle and reduce the amount of time you have to spend cleaning up!