I was enjoying a bowl of soup for lunch with my husband and he said, “Man, you just can’t go wrong with a bowl of chicken soup. It covers all the bases and, it’s always so good.”
I agree!
There’s a reason why chicken soup has made its way into almost every culture around the world as both food and medicine.
I grew up eating chicken soup and always thought it was originally created by my Jewish ancestors. But, that’s not the whole truth.
According to historical records (and recipes), chicken soup originated in Ancient China. The earliest written record of using chicken soup as a healing medicine dates back to the Han Dynasty over 2500 years ago.
“The first evidence of humans using chicken soup is from the 2nd century BC. A medical document from China, Huangdi Neijing, where chicken soup was referred to as “yang food” which translates to a “warming dish”. Herbs were added to enhance the healing properties of the soup.”[1]
Chicken soup in Traditional Chinese medicine is viewed as a potent source of Qi (energy) and a warming food used to counteract “cold” illnesses. It’s the perfect food to warm and nourish you when you are feeling chilled or are coming down with a cold.
From Ancient China, chicken soup spread around the world and began filling the bowls in many other cultures.
Ancient Greek and Roman physicians prescribed chicken soup for a wide variety of ailments.
“Chicken soup as a healing therapy can be traced back to 60 A.D. and Pedanius Dioscorides, an army surgeon who served under the Roman emperor Nero, and whose five-volume medical encyclopedia was consulted by early healers for more than a millennium.”[2]
In modern times, chicken soup is affectionately known as, “Jewish Penicillin.” That’s how I knew about it. But, it has been used as medicine since the 12th century in many Jewish households.
“In the 12th century, the revered Jewish philosopher and physician Moses Maimonides wrote extensively about chicken soup in his medical treatise On the Causes of Symptoms. Drawing from earlier Greek texts, Maimonides prescribed broth made from hens to “neutralize body constitution” and treat respiratory ailments.”[3]
Chicken soup as food and medicine has clearly stood the test of time. It’s still showing up on menus and in kitchens around the world today.
And of course, as my hungry husband wisely said, “Man, you just can’t go wrong with a bowl of chicken soup.”
If you’re feeling a little run down, or simply want to enjoy a big bowl of comfort, here are few of my favorite chicken soup recipes to keep you warm and cozy:
If you want to learn more delicious healing recipes that are good for your body, mind and soul, check out the fun cooking classes inside my Health is Wealth Community. You’ll get access to a new cooking class every month. And, get to enjoy the recipes with a group of like-minded people who all care about nourishing their bodies with ancient healing medicine, combined with modern wisdom!
[1] https://wordpress.kpu.ca/foodhistory/2023/04/03/from-nanas-kitchen-to-modern-medicine-the-healing-powers-of-chicken-soup/
[2] https://www.sciencealert.com/chicken-soup-has-been-a-remedy-for-thousands-of-years-but-why
[3] https://100jewishfoods.tabletmag.com/chicken-soup/
Andrea Beaman is an internationally renowned Holistic Health Coach, Natural Foods Chef, Speaker, Herbalist and best-selling author who helps people feel happier, healthier and in control of their health. She was named one of the top 100 Most Influential Health and Fitness Experts, is the recipient of the Natural Gourmet Institute’s Award for Excellence in Health-Supportive Education and a Health Leadership award from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Since 1999, Andrea has been teaching people how to harness their body’s own preventative and healing powers using food, herbal remedies and alternative medicine.
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