Sniffles? The benefits of homemade chicken soup

Tis the season for runny noses! I recently found myself starting to feel a bit run down and felt a cold fast approaching. The first thing I did was run to the store to stock up on all of the fixin’s I needed to make nourish myself with a nice hearty pot of chicken soup.   It really is true that broth’s have cold-healing ability. It has been said that chicken soup elicits an anti-inflammatory effect on the body—mainly due to the mineral-rich stock of its base. The viral bugs that cause a cold or flu stimulate formation of inflammatory compounds in the body, which are to blame for many, if not most, symptoms.  As in many chicken soup recipes, my version version calls for nutrient-rich ingredients like onions, carrots, celery, parsley , and more, which also release nutrients into the broth-base to make a power-packed punch of nutrition and cold-fighting potential.

Properly prepared broth contains a generous amount of a wide range of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and silica. Think of it as the ultimate multi-mineral “supplement.” Since these naturally derived minerals are extracted from bone, they are in an ideal balance and easily utilized by the body.

I ate my chicken soup for the next three days, even though I nipped my cold in the bud by the next day. Mmmm mmmm mmmm!

Soup really is an amazing comfort food!

INGREDIENTS

organic pastured chicken breasts on the bone
garlic cloves
Celtic Sea Salt

peppercorns

carrots
parsley
celery
onion ( I prefer to mix Vidalia and Red Onion)
apple cider vinegar

homemade chicken stock

  Onions -contain protein, calcium, sulfur, vitamin A, B complex, C and E. They contain sulfur compounds and have anti-inflammatory effects. Like garlic, onions have the antibiotic oil- allicin, which gives them their pungent flavor.

  Garlic-has powerful antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties . Is being used for boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure

  Carrots- Carrots,  a standard vegetable found in chicken soup are the best natural source of beta-carotene. The body takes that beta-carotene and converts it to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

  Celery - carminative, diuretic, tonic, nervine. Used to promote restfulness and sleep, celery is also excellent for relieving rheumatism and gout. Its high magnesium and iron content is invaluable as a food for blood cells. Because of its anitspasmodic properties, celery is good for lung conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis.

  Parsley - contains two components that provide unique health benefits- 1. volatile oils-including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. 2. flavonoids- including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin. The activity of parsley's volatile oils qualifies it as a "chemoprotective" food- a food that can neutralize particular types of carcinogens (like benzopyrenes from cigarette and charcoal grill smoke).

  Sea Salt- natural balance of sodium, magnesium and potassium- helps to lower blood pressure and promote good health. Mineral salts create electrolytes, the sparks of life- carry electrical currents to cells throughout the body. Electrolytes are necessary for enzyme production. Enzymes are responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, muscle function, hormone production, etc. Electrolytes and enzymes are linked to healthy immune function, proper regulation of bodily fluids, and adrenal health.

  Black pepper- contains volatile oils, alkaloids, proteins and minerals. It has the following healing actions: circulatory stimulant, diuretic, cerebral stimulant, reduces infection, diaphoretic (induces sweating), astringent (tightens mucous membranes) and stimulates sinuses to drain.