Bone Broth: A Healing Elixir + Market Guide

BONE BROTH IS MAKING A SPLASH across modern times in home kitchen, cafes and the grocery shelf. Although we’re seeing more options show up on the wellness and restaurant scene, broth making has been an art from the hearth for eons across the globe. Backed by modern science, the healing power of this nutrient dense composition is undeniable. My exploration into bone broth went from topical to a deeper dive rather quickly, I am so fascinated by the possibilities of this healing elixir.

“Good Broth Will Resurrect The Dead”
- South American Proverb

I began my research most recently on the topic after falling terribly on the ice and snow here in Minnesota a year ago, realizing at that time, I was in need of a major shift back into my education in wellness and dust off my training in journalism to figure out some primary, and easily accessible, daily tools to assist in recovery. With a fractured tibia, collagen and nutrient density seemed to be at the core of what I was going to need to feed myself along with a heavy dose of rest and patience.

It did not take long to find that there are many options available on the market these days, I remember when I first began to learn about bone broth in my twenties, it was a little tougher to find at that time than our current more health conscious culture of the day. Most of the people I knew who talked about it then made the broth from scratch at home. Today you can find grocery-store-branded-white-label-company options to the ready-to-sip from a cafe just like a coffee to-go option.

Across the country, small environmentally minded wellness businesses are producing amazing combinations of flavor with tonic herbs, traditional herbs we know well from the kitchen and vegetables from land to sea. For example, some including Lion’s Mane, a brain boosting mushroom considered a tonic, and others keeping it more simple with ginger or turmeric, which assist with inflammation.

The health benefits for mind and body truly make bone broth an option for incorporating food as medicine into everyday life in an easy way. A well-made broth can do so much for health, between ancient hearth techniques and modern science, we can greatly improve wellbeing and assisting the body to function better by incorporating bone broth into a daily staple.

Health Benefits

• Bio-available protein rapidly absorbed for use into the body

• In liquid form, these proteins are broken down into valuable amino acids like proline, glycine, glutamine and arginine. Your body needs these important building blocks for healthy skin, bones and joints

• Lowers inflammation and joint pain

• Gelatin contains glutamine, which effectively plugs the holes in the lining of the digestive tract. This is important for nutrient absorption during the digestive process

• High gelatin Improves digestion, strengthens joints and helps the body absorb protein

  Immunity

• Glycine in broth supports your liver’s ability to remove toxins, from pesticides and mercury to prescription drugs and alcohol

• Cold-fighting immunity support. A well-made chicken bone broth contains cysteine, an amino acid that has been shown to thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky, so you can expel it more easily. A good broth also contains other immunity-boosting compounds like glutamine

  Beauty

• Healthy skin requires collagen, a crucial protein found in the tendons, ligaments and other odd bits of the beef and poultry. When the bones are cooked properly, that collagen breaks down into gelatin, which is easier for the body to digest

• Drinking gelatin-rich bone broth is a natural way to promote smooth, supple skin. It’s good for healthy hair and nails too

  Relaxation

• Glycerin, the amino acid most abundant in gelatin, curbs the buzzing activity of neurotransmitters. Allowing a soothing and calming effect and can assist with sleep

Since bone broth is high in collagen and the best broths are made from meaty bones with more connective tissue like feet and neck, aspects of the animal that previously may have been disregarded but hold an optimal amount of nutrients and collagen. Which is great for flavor and the healing profile, not to mention a more sustainable practice for meat production and consumption.

Another aspect of intrigue is the innovation we are seeing for these delicious healing beverages is where artistry meets wellness in such a beautiful compositions. By incorporating adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms and other powerful herbs, these elixirs are surely a staple for health.

During the 6 weeks when I was in various phases of healing, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into the selections and accessibility of bone broth options available to purchase. My main focus was looking into what’s out there for deep healing at home and when being on your feet to make broth homemade from scratch is simply not an option during a recovery or simply due to time constraints of busy life. I’ve created a list of reviews and thoughts on a few of the options as a resource:

A Guide to Bone Broth on the Market

Small Batch Artisan // Local + National

OWL Venice, California, offers Bison Bone Broth w/Lion’s Mane and turmeric as well as a Mineral Vegan Broth to highlight. The Chicken Bon Broth boasts lavender and cilantro, another unique combination. Handmade in small batches with great care. Each broth has a unique combination of herbs, worth checking out. I recommend the above listed options. A company with amazing customer service support.
owlvenice.com available via online/UPS or LA pick-up, $20-28 per 32oz. jar w/subscription available

Tao Organic Cafe & Herbery, Minnesota, offers grass-fed Beef Bone Broth w/astragalus, thyme, turmeric and staple vegetables as well as a Miso Mushroom Broth featuring shiitake mushroom, herbs and sesame oil. Full menu available on website.
taonaturalfoods.com available for pick-up/carry-out in Minneapolis only, $6-7 per 12oz.

Birchwood Cafe, Minnesota, offers nourishing Chicken Bone Broth w/cayenne, garlic, turmeric, ginger and lime. House-made.
birchwoodcafe.com available for pick-up/local delivery in Minneapolis only, $10 per pint

Brim, Minnesota, offers organic Chicken Bone Broth. Options include a savory and a ginger lemongrass broth, wonderful option to add an egg to the broth which will boost protein and flavor.
brimrestaurant.com available to pick-up/local delivery in Minneapolis, $9 per pint

National Grocer // Online Ordering

Brodo, New York, offers simple yet luxe offerings. A highlight is the owner’s signature Hearth blend of Chicken, Turkey and Beef broths with herbs and vegetables. They also feature classic chicken and beef options. Highly trusted company that boosted bone broth into the market.
brodo.com available for local pick-up NYC and online ordering of 6+ per box, $12.99 per 12oz. cup with subscription available

Kettle & Fire, offers classic global influenced flavors including Vietnamese Pho Beef Broth and Ginger Turmeric Chicken Broth along with soup versions incorporating bone broth like Butter Curry. Kettle & Fire also utilize free-range and grass-fed bones for their offerings. Versatile and accessible, this company is at the top of the go-to list.
kettleandfire.com available for in-store purchase/online ordering nation wide, $4.40-9.99 per 16.9 oz. carton

Epic Artisanal, offers a variety of bone broths including Beef with jalapeño for some heat. Great for winter and to bump a cold. Turkey cranberry sage is another unique find in store-bought flavor. Comes in glass jars which makes storage and reusability ideal. Quality is good fand easy to find.
epicprovisions.com available for in store purchase/online ordering nation wide, $6.99 per 14oz. jar

Image credit: Brodo NYC
Resources: Dr. Mark Hyman podcast w/Marco Canora; 2018, owner of Brodo and Hearth in NYC. Various industry informational press releases.