Bieler’s Vegetable Broth Recipe (For Detox & Cleansing)

A few times a year, when the kids grow or the seasons change (as they inevitably do), I have to climb into the dark abyss of our attic to find the next sizes of clothes for their capsule wardrobes. Two hours later they all have neatly organized, new (hand-me-down) wardrobes and I’m sneezing like crazy.

Those days remind me of my one remaining allergy — dust. And it is a doozy!

I can power through childbirth no problem (I’ve had enough practice) or push through a 20-mile hike, but dust reduces me to a sneezing pile of grumpiness.

Bieler’s Vegetable Broth to the Rescue

I’ve gotten better about using an air filter when cleaning or switching out clothes in the attic. I also take some allergy remedies and they help a lot. But when the dust or hay fever gets bad, I pull out my go-to recipe for some Bieler’s vegetable broth (and sneak in a few extra allergy soothing ingredients).

What is Bieler’s Vegetable Broth?

I first heard about this vegetable broth in the book Nourishing Traditions. Bieler’s broth was invented by a doctor named Henry Beiler as a medicinal soup to help promote healing and detoxification in the body. Dr. Bieler claimed that this soup would help restore the correct acid/alkaline balance in the body. He speculated that it also helped balance the sodium/potassium levels in the body.

Benefits of Bieler’s Vegetable Broth

I personally love the taste of this vegetable based broth, though it certainly isn’t as flavorful as my favorite garlic soup. The benefits of this vegetable broth are in its nourishing qualities and not its taste. This broth is used in many cleanses and detox protocols. Cancer patients often use it for an easy source of nourishment that is easy on the stomach. I use it to calm down my allergies (see my tip for an add-in below).

I also turn to this recipe during illness. The high vitamin C and K content make it great for supporting the immune system.

This Broth Traditionally Contains

• Zucchini – A natural source of potassium and sodium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6
• String beans – Also a good source of sodium and potassium, as well as chromium, phosphorus, and choline
• Celery – Excellent source of vitamin K, potassium, folate, and pantothenic acid (B vitamins)
• Parsley – A multivitamin in a single plant! Parsley is a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants, and beneficial volatile oils. It is said to be cleansing and nourishing to the body.

And I Often Add …

The true “Bieler’s Broth” recipe contains only the ingredients above and it is wonderful just like that. When allergies hit, I add a few extra ingredients to help calm them down. These are all optional, but add flavor and additional nutrients.

• Nettle – I love nettle and it is one of my natural remedies for allergies. When possible, I add a few leaves of wild harvested nettle to this broth. It grows on our land, so it is easy to find during the warmer months. I also harvest and freeze some for winter months.
• Dandelion – Known as a liver cleansing herb, I like to add dandelion to this broth as well. Dandelion greens seem to help my allergies and are great for the skin. I harvest these from our yard too and freeze some in ice cube trays for winter months.
• Garlic – Adds great flavor, but also benefits the body in many ways.

How to Make Bieler’s Vegetable Broth

This broth is quick and easy to make. Gather the ingredients above and you can make it in under half an hour. Here’s how:

Bieler's Vegetable Broth Recipe (For Detox & Cleansing)

Make Bieler's vegetable broth; a soothing and nourishing broth that is packed with nutrients. Simple ingredients like celery, green beans, zucchini, and parsley provide nutrients and promote cleansing and detoxification. Plus, it tastes good!

Calories 56kcal

Author Katie Wells

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Servings

8 cups

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Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 3 medium zucchini (roughly chopped)
• 4 stalks celery (roughly chopped)
• 1 lb string beans
• 1 bunch parsley (stems removed)
• ¼ cup nettle leaf (optional)
• ¼ cup dandelion greens (optional)
• 1-2 cloves garlic (optional)

Instructions

• Place water, celery, zucchini, string beans, and nettle, dandelion, and garlic if using in a large pot and bring to a boil. 
• Boil for about 10 minutes or until all vegetables are bright green and tender.
• Remove from heat and add parsley. 
• Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend until smooth.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Bieler's Vegetable Broth Recipe (For Detox & Cleansing)

Amount Per Serving (1 .5 cups)

Calories 56 Calories from Fat 5

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.5g1%

Saturated Fat 0.1g1%

Sodium 43mg2%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 5.1g21%

Sugar 3.6g4%

Protein 3.6g7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

For a more nourishing and filling soup, use broth instead of water. Feel free to add any desired spices, though for illness and allergies, I find that the bland and basic soup seems most calming. 

What are your remedies for allergies and illness? Share with me below!