Bone Broth: The Medicinal Elixir that Always Trends
It seems every few years, the health world has a new darling. We’ve seen it with kale, turmeric, and, of course, avocado toast (can’t forget that one). But lately, the spotlight has been shining on bone broth. You’ll hear fitness buffs, wellness gurus, and even your neighbour rave about it. But here’s the kicker—it’s only new if you’ve been living under a rock. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been singing the praises of bone broth for thousands of years, long before it was cool. The benefits of bone broth are not just buzz; they're steeped in ancient tradition and backed by modern research. Let explore!
The Basics of Bone Broth in TCM
In TCM, food is medicine. Each food has its own properties, energies, and functions, and bone broth is no exception. Made by simmering animal bones (usually beef, chicken, or fish) with a mix of herbs and vegetables, bone broth becomes a highly nourishing elixir packed with minerals, collagen, amino acids, and other nutrients that promote healing and balance in the body.
From a TCM perspective, bone broth strengthens the Kidneys, nourishes the Blood, and tonifies the essence, or Jing—a vital substance that governs growth, reproduction, and longevity. It’s warming, energizing, and deeply restorative, perfect for addressing deficiencies and imbalances. In other words, it’s not just a trendy health drink; it’s a centuries-old solution to building vitality and health.
What Does the Research Say?
If ancient wisdom isn’t enough to convince you, let’s bring in some modern science. There’s been increasing interest from researchers in understanding why bone broth seems to offer such powerful benefits. Some of the main takeaways from peer-reviewed studies include:
Gut Health: Bone broth is rich in gelatin, which may help heal the lining of the gut. Research suggests that gelatin can enhance digestion by restoring the integrity of the gut barrier, which is crucial for individuals with leaky gut syndrome or other digestive issues. A happy gut means better absorption of nutrients, stronger immunity, and reduced inflammation.
Joint Health & Pain Relief: Bone broth contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine—two compounds known for reducing joint pain and inflammation. A 2017 study in Nutrients demonstrated that collagen, found in abundance in bone broth, can improve symptoms of osteoarthritis and reduce overall joint pain.
Improved Sleep & Cognitive Function: The amino acid glycine, abundant in bone broth, is known to promote better sleep and support cognitive function. Research published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that glycine enhances sleep quality and can improve memory, making it an excellent bedtime drink for those seeking a little extra mental clarity.
Immune Boosting Properties: Studies have shown that the combination of amino acids and minerals found in bone broth can support the immune system. From a TCM perspective, bone broth strengthens Wei Qi, the protective energy that acts as the body’s defence against external pathogens. Think of it like a warm, nourishing shield during the colder months.
Bone Broth in TCM: More Than Just a Trend
So, why has bone broth stuck around for thousands of years in TCM? The answer lies in its ability to tonify, nourish, and restore balance in a way that’s both gentle and effective. In TCM, bone broth is a Qi (energy) and Blood tonic, and it's used to build strength, especially after illness or during recovery periods. It's considered particularly helpful for those experiencing weakness, fatigue, or Yang deficiency (which shows up as cold hands and feet, lethargy, diarrhea or loose stool especially in the AM, low back pain, edema, and an overall lack of vitality, to name a few).
The warming properties of bone broth make it especially useful during the colder months when our bodies need that extra boost of internal heat. TCM practitioners might even add herbs like dang gui (Chinese angelica root) or huang qi (astragalus) to enhance the broth’s medicinal properties.
Where to Source Your Bones
The health and nutrient profile of the animal becomes our health and nutrient profile, so always source your food from farms that take care of their animals - pastured, grass fed, without the use of hormones or antibiotics. My go-to place in Calgary to source animal protein and healthy bones is Silver Sage Beef.
The Silver Sage Ranch has been in their family since 1910, spanning 5 generations! You can buy bones to make your own tonifying broth, or pick up their already-made broth and skip ahead to reaping the health benefits. It’s up to you.
The Takeaway
Bone broth isn’t just another fad. While it may be trendy now, it’s been a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine for millennia—and for good reason. Whether you’re looking to boost your immune system, heal your gut, or just warm yourself up on a cold day, bone broth is a nourishing, restorative elixir that deserves a spot in your wellness routine. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want a little extra Qi and vitality?
So, next time you’re sipping on a hot cup of bone broth, you can chuckle a little knowing you’re tapping into one of the oldest health trends in the book. As we say in TCM, the proof is in the broth.
Clausen, M. R., Meyer, R. L., Poulsen, K. P., & Krag, A. (2017). Colonic transit time and inflammatory markers in people with and without gastrointestinal disease: Gelatin vs. placebo study. Nutrients, 9(9), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090980
Choi, H., Park, Y., Lee, Y., & Kim, Y. (2017). The effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: A systematic review. Nutrients, 9(9), 994. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9090994
Bannai, M., & Kawai, N. (2012). New therapeutic strategy for amino acid medicine: Glycine improves the quality of sleep. Neuropsychopharmacology Reports, 56(6), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.06.039
Cervantes, J. L. (2017). Glutamine and the immune system: The modulating effect of glutamine in health and disease. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 6(4), e126. https://doi.org/10.1038/cti.2017.1