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Healing Broth for Feeding the Sick

This nourishing, healing broth is meant to comfort, restore, and strengthen the body when it is fighting illness. Made with collagen-rich chicken feet, aromatic vegetables, warming ginger, and traditional herbs, it creates a mineral-dense, soothing broth that is gentle on digestion yet deeply supportive. It's the kind of simple, honest food that has sustained families through sickness for generations—warm, humble, and full of healing.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Soaking Time1 hour
Total Time5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 3 quarts
Author: Mary Bryant Shrader

Equipment

  • 1 Large stockpot
  • 1 Knife and cutting board
  • 1 Fine-mesh strainer or colander
  • 1 Large bowl or second pot for straining

Ingredients

  • 6 Chicken Feet
  • Water to cover chicken feet About 2 inches above the feet.
  • 1 cup Extra-dry white vermouth Or 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 yellow onions, skin on, quartered
  • 1 large head garlic sliced lengthwise to expose cloves
  • 6 carrots, unpeeled, rough chopped
  • 6 celery stalks, rough chopped
  • 2 three-inch pieces fresh ginger, rough chopped Peeled, if not organic
  • 1 bunch fresh oregano, rough chopped
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme, rough chopped
  • 10 whole black peppercorns
  • 5 dried bay leaves
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes Optional

Instructions

  • Place the chicken feet in a large stockpot and cover completely with water, allowing the water level to sit about 2 inches above the feet.
  • Add the vermouth or apple cider vinegar. Let the chicken feet soak in the acidulated water for 1 hour. This helps draw minerals and collagen into the broth.
  • After soaking, bring the pot to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
  • Add all remaining ingredients to the stockpot.
  • Return to a gentle boil, stir well, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot.
  • Simmer very gently for 4–6 hours.
  • Strain the broth, discarding solids.
  • Drink the broth warm or use it as a nourishing base for soups and simple meals.

Notes

Recipe Notes
  • This broth is especially comforting during flu recovery, colds, or any time the body needs gentle nourishment.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • This broth will gel beautifully once chilled—that's a sign of its healing, collagen-rich nature.
  • Sip it plain, or add a pinch of sea salt just before drinking if desired.
  • If appetite is low, small cups taken throughout the day are often better tolerated than a full serving at once.
Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/healing-broth-for-feeding-the-sick/
If you’re building a traditional foods kitchen or stocking a real foods pantry, be sure to get all the books in Mary’s Modern Pioneer cookbook series, published by Penguin Random House: https://marysnest.com/modern-pioneer-cookbook-series/
Copyright © 2026 Mary's Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

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