Every year at this time we start to experience that slight chill in the air, the leaves start to change colour and fall, and the challenges to our immune system are increased. Seasonal changes can put stress on our immune systems and in the fall we have the added bonus of cold and flu season!
Change of Season Soup is what we call an immune system tonic. This soup (or tea really) is made from the combination of four Chinese Herbs. This tonic can help your body stave off colds and flu's and even help your body handle stress!
There are four herbs in Change of Season Soup:
1. Codonopsis pilosula - the root of the codonopsis plant will help you strengthen and tonify your Qi, build blood, and nourish your body fluids
2. Astragalus membranaceus - the root of the astragalus plant helps to strengthen your bodies defences (Wei Qi), nourishes your spleen, and tonifies the heart and lungs
3. Dioscorea villosa - this herb tonifies and balances the lungs and kidneys
4. Lyciium barbarum (Gogi berries) - Goji berries help strengthen the liver and kidneys
It is very easy to make Change of Season Soup!
Instructions:
- Fill a large stock pot with water
- Add the above herbs in equal parts to the pot and cover
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 to 6 hours, adding water as needed (if the water boils down too much)
- Using a slotted spoon, or fine strainer remove the herbs from the pot and allow the remaining liquid to cool
- This recipe makes about 4 Litres of broth
You can use the broth as a base for soup, stews, or place it in a mug or thermos and drink throughout the day! The soup can be a little bitter - to help combat that use it as a base for your favourite soup adding nutritious vegetables! To make this soup even MORE nutritious simmer the herbs in your favourite chicken, vegetable or bone broth!
Make sure to ask your Naturopathic Doctor if Change of Season Soup is right for you!
Change of Season Soup packets are available to patients at the clinic
Beat cold and flu season this year with Change of Season Soup!
- Dr Kendra Clifford ND
The information in this post is for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical advice.