Vegan Herbal Bone Broth Alternative For The Metal Element

Herbal Bone Broth Without the Bone

For 5 years now I have been vegan. The most important thing I have learned about eating a well rounded plant based diet is by including a large variety of plants to each meal. Becoming a herbalist has taught me the vast world of wild foods and plant medicine. How each plant carries its own special properties and nutrients. With the addition of wild foods and plant medicines there hasn’t been the need for meat or dairy in my life. But I find that it is necessary in many cases for others. Bone broth is a healing medicine that is often necessary for those who are in need of some deep healing. But it is also a preventative medicine.

Now I could have called this a homemade veggie broth but the herbs I included in this recipe has similar benefits to marrow from animal bones. Helping to strengthen connective tissues, bones, the lungs and the immune system. Making this a incredible metal element recipe for the fall season. I will be diving deep into the the healing powers of this recipe with this blog post. Read on if you are in need of a cozy healing herbal bone broth without the bone. But feel free to add a bone to this recipe if you prefer.

Bone Broth for The Fall & Metal Element

Bone broth or vegetable broth with the added seasonal herbs can help target seasonal illnesses. Especially as we enter fall, the metal element. As the yang season (summer) shifts into the yin time of year (fall & winter) our environment becomes dryer and colder which has a influence on our well being. The metal element and its associated season, autumn, is connected to the health of our lungs. Which are immediately affected when our environment shifts. We become more susceptible to respiratory ailments of all kinds. Observing the seasons as they shift and actively incorporating seasonal practices can help us develop a preventative system of eating that enhances our immunity and protects our lungs in the fall.

How Bone Broth Is Used In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Bone broth as medicine was likely used by all ancient healing arts derived and used in all human cultures. Specifically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen growth and development of children. One of the vital nutrients within the marrow of the bones is omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Helping with the health of the brain, eyes and organs. This is in hemp and flax seed oil , used as an alternative for vegans. All the body tissues and bones strengthen. As well as the immune system. Bone broth is medicine for Jing deficiency which is the essence of the water element. In China, new moms and patients recovering from trauma commonly use bone broth. Which who isn’t nowadays. Bone broth in TCM food therapy nourishes the kidney, blood and yin. The herbs then enhance or add onto the benefits.

Added Immune Boost with Miso and Mushrooms

Miso and mushrooms in broth and soup are a comforting combination for the fall season. Adding many different kinds of mushrooms, especially maitake add the Unami flavor that we all love. Then the addition of miso enhances that flavor even more. All mushrooms help with the oxygenation of cells and improve immunity.

Reishi mushrooms specifically move through the lung, heart, and liver meridians. Helping to reduce inflammation and improve immunity, as well as glucose and cholesterol levels. Helping to calm the spirit and tonify the heart. While transforming and toning the lungs to treat coughs. Nourishing the blood and toning qi to help move warmth our extremities. Overall increasing vitality and energy. Shitake and maitake mushrooms tonify the immune system best and effectively work against cancer. Actively neutralizing toxic accumulation that build up from meat eating. Many Americans relieve their excess conditions caused by bad diet with these medicinal mushrooms.

Miso is fermented soybean paste that first originated in China over 2,500 years ago. Ferment soybeans, goji, salt and grains together for six months up to two years. There are several ways you can make miso outside of the traditional way. Offering unique flavor that we can add to foods. Miso is especially beneficial for a vegan diet. Containing 13-20% protein with amino acid patterns similar to meats. As well as vitamin B12 and lactobacillus that aids digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Promoting alkalinity and resilience against disease and negative effects caused by environmental pollutants and toxins.

Herbal Blend For The Metal Element & For Strengthening Bones

In this vegan herbal bone broth recipe I have incorporated herbs that specifically help with moistening the lungs, mucous membranes, digestive system and body fluids. In addition to herbs and foods that build up the immune system and fight off viral and bacterial invaders. Plantain leaf, Siberian elm inner bark, astragalus root, black peppercorn, fresh thyme, nettle leaf, wildcrafted horsetail, fresh ginger, calendula flower, usnea, and American ginseng root is the blend of herbs I chose to support my health for the metal season. A lot of these herbs also contain properties that are similar to adding a bone because they help build and repair bones and tissues. But feel free to change it up with any herbs that call to you.

Add Horsetail & Nettle To Enhance Essential Minerals

Horsetail contains 5-8% silica, as well as potassium, manganese, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Horsetail helps to move stagnation especially in the urinary system. Benefiting deficient water types who are severely nervous individuals with lac of confidence and tendency of feeling cold and weak. Weakness often is due to connective tissue degradation associated with pain with movement, pressure or sitting. The silica helps build and hold strrructurre integrity in our bones, teeth joints, cartilage, hair, nails, skin, and blood vessels. Even structures requiring collagen. This plant can replace all of those mysterious collagen powders. Horsetail is especially useful when healing from a fractured or broken bone.

Nettle is another plant that is high in minerals and nutrients. I think of it as the seaweed replacement for landlocked states. Helping to alleviate yin deficiency symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, heaviness, dry skin, irritability, insomnia, indigestion, and cramps. Nettle also stimulates blood circulation, restores connective tissues, expels dampness and toxins. Overall strengthening our bodies to heal.

To learn more about food therapy and proper diet for the metal element make sure you check out this food guide. And check out this tasty herbal chai that I specifically formulated for supporting the health of the lungs and immune system in the Farmacy.

Vegan Herbal Bone Broth

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Ingredients

  

Veggies

• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 leek
• 1 fennel bulb
• 4 small carrots
• 2 pieces of celery
• 1/3 pound of shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 pound of maitake mushrooms
• 4 pieces of dried Reishi
• 4 medium size radishes

Herbs

• 3 tbsps of usnea
• 3 tbsps of horsetail
• 1 small piece of American ginseng
• 4 tbsps of nettle
• 3 tbsps of astragalus
• 3 tbsps of Siberian elm inner bark
• 4 tbsps of plantain
• 1/4 cup of calendula
• 3 tbsps of wakame seaweed
• 3 tbsps of miso
• 1/4 in piece of ginger
• 1 tbsps of black pepper whole
• 1 tbsp of salt

Instructions

 

• 1. Add all desired ingredients to the pot early in the day.

  2. Cover with water.

  3. Let simmer for 8-12 hours covered.

  4. Let cool, strain and add to jars or storage containers

  5. Consume over the next few days and freeze the rest.

Work Cited

Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books, 2009. 

Gong, Zoey Xinyi, and Cassie Zhang. The Five Elements Cookbook: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine with Recipes for Everyday Healing. Harvest, an Imprint of William Morrow Publishers, 2023.