Bone broth is making a resurgence in the kitchens of health advocates around the world. For centuries, it was common to keep a kettle cooking 24 hours a day, and in this kettle unused plant parts and bones from the tribal hunt were deposited and allowed to simmer. The tradition was to be grateful for everything and to waste nothing that was provided for your family and tribe. 

It has also been a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Today, we know that the broth was not just a way to ensure nothing goes to waste, but is an incredible, functional food for healing and antiaging!

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a broth or stock made with vegetables, herbs, bones, and cartilage of animals. By adding these ingredients to water and simmering them over a relatively low heat, you can extract nutrients and flavor without overcooking them. That broth can then be used as the basis for food or medicines. 

The healthiest bone broth ingredients are from grass-fed, free-range animals, as opposed to commercially farmed ones. It’s rich in minerals, collagen and amino acids, which provides a range of benefits that include:

• Improved healing in the digestive tract
• Strengthened joints and bones
• Strengthened immune system
• Improved manufacturing of collagen for youthful firmness and elasticity

When used effectively, bone broth can supplement other medical and general health treatments to promote healing. 

Why is Bone Broth Special?

Bone broth is not the same as beef broth or chicken broth. Bone broth is made by slowly simmering bones on low heat over a long period of time, allowing the bone marrow, collagen and other nutritional components to break down and infiltrate the liquid. For this reason, the most nutritious forms will be from free range animals. 

Free range, grass fed protein is superior and always considered a more nutritious source of healthy fats and minerals and is a more humane practice with fewer toxins than factory farms induce.

The Solution: Supplement Your Health Gains With Bone Broth

One of the best benefits of bone broth is that you can use it to supplement your health gains without interfereing with other treatment options. There is no limit to the amount of bone borth that you can have, so it is something that you can support your health with every day. 

If you would like to add bone broth into your weekly diet, many natural food stores carry the healthier versions. How much one should drink depends upon your individual nutritional needs, but most experts claim anywhere from 1 to 4 cups per day. 

You also don’t have to buy it from a store. It is entirely possible to make your own bone broth as long as you have the right recipe. You can easily [find recipes online link to recipes for bone broth post)] as well.

Bone Broth Recipes

Bone broth can help you improve your overall health, and there are no limits to how much you can have. If you are looking for a delicious and easy way to supplement your health gains with better nutrition, then add bone broth to your daily menu. 

Making your own bone broth is an easy way to improve your health. All you need are a few ingredients, a pot, and a stove. Here are several bone broth recipes that can help you start to improve your eating habits and nutrition.

Where to Get Bones

Perhaps the most difficult ingredient on this list to get is the bones themselves. As you search, opt for the most nutritious options that you can find. The quality of the bones that you use directly impacts how nutritious and delicious the recipe is. 

When you can, save bones from a whole, free range, organic chicken, or bones from a roast or other beef (3-4 pounds). You can also roast raw bones if you have them. Some stores sell just the bones, making it easy to focus on your bone broth rather than making it after doing another recipe.

You can often get bones from your butcher for free as they get discarded. Keep your bones in a cool, dry place to preserve them until you are ready to use them. They are generally safe to use for several days. 

However, you should use them sooner than later. Freezing the bones is also not recommended as it can remove a lot of the nutritional value, which defeats the purpose of making bone broth in the first place. 

Basic Bone Broth Recipe

The basic bone broth recipe is the easiest one that you can make. All you need are the bones, water, and something to cook them in. 

Start by cleaning the bones. Scrape away any excess materials, then wash the bones lightly in cold water. This will ensure that they are clean and ready to use. You want to extract the nutrition from the bones, not what is on them. 

Add the bones to the pot, then fill the pot with enough water to completely cover the bones by up to one-half inch. That way, you will have a bit extra water in there incase it starts to boil away. 

Turn on the heat and simmer the bones. This will take hours to do. You can simmer them for up to 24 hours. However, make sure that you have the pot at a consistent, safe temperature before you leave them. You don’t want them to boil over or boil out the water while you are away. 

Check the temperature and make sure that it is consistent. Then, you can cover it and go do other things while periodically checkin on the broth. It should darken over time while it cooks. 

Flavored Bone Broth Recipe

For a more flavorful option, you can add other ingredients to the bone both. Start the same way by cleaning and preparing your bones and pot. Then, add enough spring water to cover the bones along with about 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and let sit for 30 minutes. 

Add any chopped vegetables if you like, such as onion, carrots, fennel, etc. Don’t forget to add herbs such as garlic, rosemary or peppercorns for additional flavor.

Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. 

Clear off and dispose of any foam that develops on the surface. 

Most broth can be simmered for 24 hours, while larger bones can simmer for 48 hours. If you don’t want to leave a pot on the stovetop, use an oven pot on very low heat or a slow cooker.

Learn About Other Holistic Strategies for Your Health

Adding bone broth to your daily menu can make a considerable difference in your overall health. For more ways to fight the aging process and live a healthier life, check out this Age Defying Video Program. This online course provides tools and guidance for preventing age-related diseases and protecting your health at the cellular level. It also covers topics like stress reduction, nutrition, and exercise to improve your overall health.