Morgan Botanicals

This soup is especially useful during the transition from autumn to winter and during the flu season to prevent getting sick. Check out this soup! It is loaded with adaptogens which are remarkable natural substances that help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic functions, and help restore balance. They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and provide a defense response to acute or chronic stress.

I wanted to share this soup. I love soup and we've all heard about Moms Chicken Noodle soup when you're sick but this chicken soup is amazing. As an herbalist I feel that 'herbs as food' is even better than just 'herbs as medicine'.

Enjoy!

David Winston's Revitalizing Ginseng Soup

1 large onion, diced

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds

2-3 boneless chicken breasts cut into 1/2 inch chunks

olive or sesame oil

8 cups water or stock

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

12-16 dried shiitake mushrooms (black mushrooms)

      Soak first in water to rehydrate

1 small 1/2 piece fresh ginger, minced

1-2 whole red or white dried ginseng roots

1 ounce lycium fruit

1-3 dried astragalus sticks

salt or tamari, pepper, and hot oil to taste

In a large pot, saute the onion, garlic, carrots, and chicken in a little olive oil or sesame oil. When the onion pieces start to become transparent, add the water or stock. Then add the sweet potato, shiitake, ginger, and herbs. Let simmer for several hours. Add salt or tamari, pepper, and hot oil to taste. For variety, you can use other meats and other vegetables (rutabagas, leeks, shallots, corn, celeriac, celery, fennel bulb) as are seasonably available and depending on your preferences. Serves 4-5

As always, please email any questions to herbalist@morganbotanicals.com.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Jessica Morgan, M. H., Morgan Botanicals.

Disclaimer - The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information in this article for self-diagnosis or to replace any prescriptive medication. You should consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem, suffer from allergies, are pregnant or nursing.

Jessica Morgan, M.H.