There is no secret of the benefits of including tea, herbal and green tea in particular as healing regime when fighting off the discomfort of a summer cold or winter flu season.
As a chef, I often remind my family and guest of a century old quote to communicate the power of food. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” Hippocrates 440 BC.
Who reminded early physicians and the public the importance of healthy eating and how the nutrients of various foods have healing properties. Stated centuries ago, by the Greek physician who is revered as the father of modern medicine, continues to ring true today. But to demonstrate the power of food, I often rush to offer my family and friends a piping hot bowl of chicken soup and advise them of the tasty and nutritional facts of why chicken soup has been touted as Jewish Grandmas penicillin since the 12th century.
Not long ago, I picked up a nasty summer cold after returning home from traveling to and from the east coast from the west coast. I immediately pulled out all of my tried-and-true homeopathic remedies, including of course lots and lots of hot tea and my version of chicken soup.
Depending on my mood and available ingredients, the soup could contain either egg noodles, quinoa or wild rice.
With a holiday weekend fast approaching and my grill beaconing me to shake this cold as quickly as possible to marinate, slow smoke and baste sniffle free backyard goodies. I super charged my wellness regime with a triple play of Good Pharma teas boosted with fresh, homemade chicken broth.
The broths simple ingredients of fresh vegetables, herbs, chicken bones and skin provide an abundance of health promoting key nutrients including an abundance of collagen protein and amino acids that promote gut, digestion and immune functions.
I began the day swapping out the water with rich chicken broth to infuse the sachet of Good Pharma No Worries tea. A perfect pick me up of mixture of functional herb and Jujube seed infusion.
The Ashwagandha and Holy Basil created an awakening aroma of floral and herbal notes. Accentuated by the soothing, rich and subtle poultry overtones.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 ounces Hot homemade chicken bone broth or no or low sodium bone broth
- 1 sachet Good Pharma No Worries
Mid-day I followed up with a comforting cup of Good Pharma Resilience boosted with chicken bone broth. The rich umami flavors of the Chaga Mushrooms combined with the clear chicken broth provides a caressing hug of richness and satisfying flavors.
The intentional combination of Green Tea, Goji and Strawberry leaves elevated my immune support with a touch of sweetness and no hint of bitterness with the addition of chicken broth.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 ounces Hot homemade chicken bone broth or no or low sodium bone broth
- 1 sachet bag Good Pharma Resilience
I ended my triple play of Grandmas Penicillin with steeping my night-time go to Rest Assured with chicken broth and a touch of lemon, freshly grated ginger and mint. The addition of fresh lemon, ginger and mint paired with the exotic blend of Jujube Seed, Poria Mushroom, Passionflower and Lemon Balm is both calming and refreshing. Providing a great way to excite the taste buds before dinner and relax the senses before bed.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 ounces Hot homemade chicken broth or no or low sodium bone broth
- 1 sachet bag Good Parma Rest Assured
- 1/8th wedge small lemon squeezed
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
- 2 springs spearmint rubbed
In conclusion, herbal functional beverages with adaptogens, like Good Pharma teas, offer numerous benefits for fighting off a summer cold or winter flu.
By infusing them with homemade chicken bone broth, I've enhanced their healing properties. These beverages, enriched with adaptogens such as Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Chaga Mushrooms, and more, provide an awakening and immune-supporting experience.
Embracing the power of these herbal functional beverages can nourish the body and aid in recovery.
Recipe by Chef Cary Neff