Change of Season Soup

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Change of Season Soup

A Herbal Tonic RecipeFall and winter make up the inner, or "yin" time of the year, which is ideal for recharging and nurturing yourself and retreating to quieter, internal pursuits. For many people, fall represents a time for new beginnings and new endeavors. It is a colder part of the year. In nature, leaves and flowers are dying and energy sinks, becoming concentrated in the seeds and roots of plants. During fall, the lungs are particularly vulnerable during this time to colds and flu. Ginger tea is a traditional remedy for warming the body and warding off colds. To make ginger tea, grate a one-inch piece of peeled ginger root. Place it in a covered pot with two cups of water and allow it to simmer for five minutes. You can add 1- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, one clove of crushed garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or honey to taste. Change of Season soup is an immune system tonic.

It is a Chinese herbal blend that is ideal to enhance your immune system during the changing of the seasons from fall to winter and winter to spring. This herbal formula also improves resistance to colds and flu. It also helps to balance the body during periods of stress.One cup or bowl twice a day for 12 days is often recommended for a healthy person. People who are in the midst of a cold or flu should not drink the soup until after they have recovered. The soup has a slightly bitter taste. To improve the taste, use it as a base for a hearty chicken soup made with a whole chiken and immune-enhancing shiitake mushrooms, onions, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, beets, and other local harvest vegetables can tonify the lungs and enhance the immune system. IngredientsTo make Change of Season soup, you will need equal parts (2-3 oz each) of the following herbs. Chinese herbal shops usually sell the herbs pre-packaged for convenience. 1. Codonopsis root This herb will help to tonify and strengthen "qi" energy. It helps to build blood and nourish body fluids. 2. Astragalus root Astragalus is a root that helps to strenthen protective defenses, strengthen qi energy, nourish the spleen, and tonify the blood and lungs. 3. Dioscorea (Chinese yam) root Dioscorea is a herb that tonifies and balances the lungs and the kidneys. 4. Chinese Lycii berries Lycii berries help to strengthen the liver and the kidneys. Instructions1. Fill a large stock pot with water. Add the above herbs to the pot and place the lid on. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 to 6 hours. If the water level boils down, add water to refill if necessary. 2. Using a slotted spoon, remove the herbs from the pot and allow the soup to cool. This recipe makes about 4 liters of soup. You can drink it as a broth, use it as a base for soup recipes, or place it in a mug or thermos and sip it throughout the day.

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