Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Medicinal Mushroom Broth just like Bone broth has been used traditionally to strengthen the immune system in times of illness or recovery. Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, and Chaga can act as powerful allies to support anyone with a sickness.
These mushrooms can help you in times of stress, or when your immune system needs a little boost. You’ll also find them in this savory, richly flavorful Medicinal Mushroom Broth, which is enhanced with garlic, onions, and fresh sage.
Several different medicinal mushrooms make this mushroom broth rich and savory. Roasted garlic and onions add sweetness, while sage gives it a vibrant, bright flavor. A gentle, nutritious broth is created when medicinal mushrooms are combined with astragalus and sage.
What is Mushroom Broth?
Mushroom broths are sipping soups cooked with or seasoned with mushrooms. This broth is made to be sipped, just like other bone broth recipes. However, it can be used as a base for soup or stew recipes, sauces, and other dishes.
These broths have a deep, savory taste with rich umami flavors. For this broth recipe, slow-roasted onion and garlic are added to sweeten it. Then, to give the mushroom broth a bright herbaceous flavor, add a few sage leaves to the pot at the end. With these ingredients thrown in together, you will be able to enjoy a healthy broth that tastes incredible. It can also be used to support your body in times of stress, or when your immune system needs a little help.
Although many mushroom broth recipes are vegetarian or vegan, this recipe uses chicken bones and acts as a seasoned broth. Therefore, it’s rich in the anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties of mushrooms, and it is a good source of different amino acids and protein.
Choosing Mushrooms and Herbs for Your Broth
Every mushroom contains a fair amount of nutrients, including B vitamins and minerals, and other anti-inflammatory compounds. However, some micronutrients and medicinal compounds are concentrated in wild mushrooms such as reishi, Chaga, matsutake, shiitake, and others. These medicinal mushrooms add flavor and powerful nutritive compounds to the food you eat:
- Reishi mushrooms not only support your body’s capacity to handle stress but also boost your immune system. They can also be used to calm your nerves, and enhance healthy sleep cycles.
- Shiitake mushrooms have a rich, earthy taste, and they have a high amount of different antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. They also contain antiviral properties.
- Chaga mushroom supports your immune system and helps regulate blood sugar. It is also a good source of various antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
- Astragalus root, which isn’t actually a mushroom, has a mildly sweet and gingery flavor. It is traditionally used to support the body’s immune system, assist the body’s ability to adapt to stress, support blood sugar regulation, and as a lung tonic.
- Alliums include onion and garlic, and although they are not often considered medicinal herbs, they can be a great addition to immune-supporting tonics such as Fire Cider and this mushroom broth.
- Dulse, a sea vegetable, gives the broth a salty taste and provides a good boost of minerals.
- Sage is a herb, which herbalists use to soothe sneezes and inflamed throats. However, it is also rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds.
Tips for Making Mushroom Broth
Making mushroom broth is easy. If you have the ability to bring water to a boil, then you can make broth. However, there are some key methods that will ensure your broth is delicious every time:
- Before you let the ingredients simmer, roast them. The broth will have an enhanced and savory flavor if you roast bones, vegetables, and mushrooms.
- It works well with the roasted chicken frame, chicken backs, and wingtips.
- If you prefer beef bones over chicken bones, you can use them instead.
- For the best flavor and gel, you need to be aware of your temperature.
- Add the fresh herbs to the mixture at the end of cooking your broth to keep their rich flavor.
- Salt the broth before you serve it. Otherwise, the salt will build up as the broth cooks. Your broth will taste too salty and unpleasant.
Medicinal Mushroom Broth Recipe
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings |
| 5 mins | 6 hrs 45 mins | 6 hrs 50 mins | 8 (2 quartz) |
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken bones
- 1 medium yellow onion (halved)
- 3 bulbs garlic (halved)
- 3 medium celery ribs (chopped int 2-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 8 slices dried reishi mushroom
- 10 dried shiitake mushrooms
- ¼ cup dried chaga mushrooms
- 3 slices astragalus root
- 3 tablespoons dulse flakes
- 1 cup white wine
- 4 quarts water
- 10 medium sage leaves
Equipment
- Rimmed Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Stock Pot
Instructions
Roasting for Flavor
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the chicken bones, celery, onion, garlic, astragalus, and medicinal mushrooms on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the dulse flakes over them, and drizzle the olive oil on top. Finally, slowly roast the ingredients until fragrant, approximately 45 minutes.
Simmering the Broth
- Transfer the contents of the baking pan to a Dutch oven or stock pot, then add the wine and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, immediately reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer, uncovered, for at least 6 hours and up to 8 hours. Before turning off the heat, stir in the sage leaves for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, strain the broth, and remove the solids. Serve immediately, or keep the broth in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to adjust the seasoning with some fine sea salt prior to serving.
