Did you know bone broth has a host of remarkable benefits? Bone broth can enhance fertility, promote vitality, contribute to overall well-being, and significantly replenish our life essence, known as Kidney Qi.
Understanding Life Essence in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, our life essence, or Kidney Qi, is a vital source of energy that we carry from birth. It consists of both "acquired" and "congenital" jing. Acquired jing is derived from the foods we consume and can be replenished throughout our lives. On the other hand, congenital jing is the essence we inherit from our birth parents and represents our familial genetics. Unlike acquired jing, congenital jing is finite and must be preserved for optimal health.
Preserving Life Essence and Nourishing Congenital Jing
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for preserving and nourishing our life essence. Adequate rest, establishing healthy boundaries, and adopting a nourishing whole foods diet all contribute to this endeavor. Among various food options, bone broth stands out as the closest resemblance to Kidney Essence, making it an ideal choice for nourishing our congenital jing, fostering vitality, promoting fertility, and nurturing overall well-being.
The remarkable benefits of Bone Broth:
Fertility Enhancement: Bone broth is rich in collagen, a fertility tonic known to aid in miscarriage prevention and support postpartum recovery.
Digestive Health: The healing properties of bone broth promote the restoration of the gastrointestinal mucosal lining, aiding in digestion and nutrient assimilation.
Tissue Repair and Bone Growth: The nutrients found in bone broth, such as gelatin, amino acids, glycine, calcium, and magnesium, support bone growth and tissue repair.
If you want to incorporate bone broth in your diet, below is a simple Bone Broth Recipe to follow.
Ingredients:
2 or 3 lbs marrow bones*
2 medium carrots
1 medium onion
3 celery stalks
1 turnip or parsnip (optional)
Dash of red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
6-10 black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
Directions:
Crack the bones and place them, along with all the ingredients, into a crockpot. Cover with water and slow cook overnight.
Allow the soup to cool for a while. Strain the soup through a cheesecloth, ensuring only the broth remains. Let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
After cooling, remove the congealed fat from the top. Discard the fat and pour the broth into ice-cube trays, filling them until frozen. Store the broth cubes, two each, in zip lock bags for convenience.
*Note: You can find "natural" marrow bones at local markets. Don't hesitate to ask the butcher for assistance if needed.