Deep Immune Broth
‘Tis the season for colds and coughs and the flu. I made this recently for my mom who has suffered a bout with C-diff, which is a horrible superbug that’s hard to get rid of. It helped. This broth will arm your immune system and it’s easy to make and surprisingly mild and tasty.
You can mail order some of the more exotic ingredients, or if you live in New York City, you can visit Kamwo Pharmacy. There is usually an English-speaking young woman who can help with translating the latin names (Foti & Astragalus) to Chinese so they can find them in the cool medicine drawers. I always love making field trips to procure ingredients… it is a part of the healing process to administer to yourself, and source the elements that will help heal.
Ingredients:
6 dried or 12 fresh shiitakes
2 tblsp olive or coconut oil
6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 tblsp dried or 2 tblsp fresh chopped burdock
3 inches ginger, chopped
1 foti slice*
6 small or 2 large astragalus root slices**
1 carrot sliced
1/2 oz. wakame, arame or dulse seaweed
1-2 tblsp red miso paste
8-9 cups spring water
Cooking instructions:
Sauté all ingredients, except miso and seaweed in oil for 1-2 minutes.
Add water and seaweed and bring to a low simmer
Simmer gently, covered, for 1/2 hour then remove from heat.
Using some broth, dissolve miso paste and add to pot
Cover and let steep for 1 hour, then strain.
Take 2-3 8 oz. cups a day, not all at once please.
Heat gently on stove. NEVER MICROWAVE!
*foti is a Chinese herb derive from a flower. It is used as an anti-fungal, anti-aging and digestive tonic.
**astragalus is a root which stimulates the immune system by activating lymphocytes which target bacteria, viruses and toxins.
