A few times a year, when the kids grow or the seasons change (as they inevitably do), I climb into the dark abyss of our attic to find other sizes of clothes for their capsule wardrobes. Two hours later they all have neatly organized, new wardrobes and I'm sneezing like crazy.
Those days remind me of my remaining allergy – dust. And it's a bad thing!
I can strengthen with childbirth without a problem (I have had plenty of practice). I can also do a 20 mile hike, but the dust reduces me to an angry sneeze pile.
Bieler vegetable soup to the rescue
I've gotten better at using an air filter when cleaning or changing clothes in the attic. i get too some allergy medicines and they help a lot. But when the dust or hay fever gets worse, I pull out my favorite recipe for Bieler's Vegetable Juice (and sneak in a few extra allergy-soothing ingredients).
What is Bieler's Vegetable Juice?
I first heard about this vegetable juice in the book Nourishing traditions. Bieler's juice was invented by a doctor named Henry Beiler as a detox soup to help promote healing and cleansing in the body. Dr. Bieler claimed that this detox soup recipe would help restore the correct acid/alkaline balance in the body. He speculated that it also helped balance the body's sodium/potassium levels.
Benefits of Bieler Detox Vegetable Soup
I like the taste of this vegetable based soup, although it is certainly not as delicious as my favorite garlic soup. The benefits of vegetable juice are in its nutritional qualities, not its taste. It is a healthy soup that is used in many cleansing and detoxification protocols. Cancer patients often use it for an easy food source that is easy on the stomach. I use it to soothe my allergies (see my tip for a supplement below).
I turn to this delicious soup even when I'm sick. The high content of vitamin C and K makes it excellent for supporting the immune system. It's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and packed with fresh vegetables and herbs.
This soup traditionally contains
- Zucchini – A natural source of potassium and sodium, vitamin Cand 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 vitamin)
- Parsley – A multivitamin in a single plant! Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants and beneficial volatile oils. It is said to cleanse and nourish the body.
And I often add…
The real Bieler's Broth recipe contains only the above ingredients and is great just like this. When allergies strike, I add a few extra ingredients to soothe them. These are all optional, but add flavor and nutrients.
- Nettle leaf – I love stinging nettle and it's one of mine natural remedies for allergies. When possible, I add some wild-harvested nettle leaves to this juice. It grows in our yard, so it's easy to find during the warmer months. I also harvest and freeze some for the winter. Raw nettles can “bite” your hands when touched, so be careful when harvesting!
- Dandelion leaf – Known as a liver cleansing herb, I love it add dandelions also for this gravy. Dandelion greens seem to help my allergies and are great for the skin. I also harvest these from our yard and freeze them in ice trays for the winter.
- cloves of garlic – Adds great flavor, but also it benefits the body in many ways.
How to make Bieler's vegetable broth
This soup is quick and easy to prepare. Gather the ingredients above and you can make it in less than half an hour. Whether it's the new year and you've decided to start with a cleanse or you just need to detox, Bieler's Liquid Juice is a great option. Here's how to do it:
Bieler vegetable broth
Make Bieler's vegetable stock; a soothing and nourishing soup packed with nutrients. Simple ingredients like celery, green beans, zucchini and parsley provide nutrients and promote cleansing and detoxification. Plus, it tastes good!
- 4 CUPS water
- 3 medium zucchini (roughly cut)
- 4 stem celery (roughly cut)
- 1 £ string beans
- 1 bunch of parsley (stem removed)
- ¼ CUP fresh nettle leaves (optional)
- ¼ CUP fresh dandelion greens (optional)
- 1-2 carnation garlic (optional)
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Place all ingredients except the parsley in a large pot over medium-high heat on the stove. Let it boil.
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Simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the vegetables are bright green and tender.
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Remove from heat and add parsley.
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Use an immersion blender, blender or food processor to blend until smooth.
Nutrition facts
Bieler vegetable broth
Amount per serving (1.5 cups)
Calories 56
Calories from fat 5
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.5 g1%
Saturated fat 0.1 g1%
Sodium 43 mg2%
Carbohydrates 12 g4%
Fiber 5.1 g21%
Sugar 3.6 g4%
Protein 3.6 g7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- For a more nutritious and filling soup, use bone broth or vegetable stock instead of water. Feel free to add any desired seasonings, although for ailments and allergies, a bland, basic soup seems more soothing.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently on the stove.
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Soup additions and substitutions
I already mentioned that I will add fresh dandelions, garlic and nettle to the broth, but you can also add other ingredients. Sauté some yellow onions and bell peppers olive oil to add more flavor. Adjust it with a little sea salt, black pepper or fresh lemon juice. Or try some fresh cilantro to help the body detoxify heavy metals.
For a tastier soup, try chicken stock or a few cups of vegetable broth instead of water. And if you like the taste of broth but want something higher in protein for a meal, it's easy to add sliced chicken breasts to the soup.
If my allergies are flaring up or the kids need something soothing while sick, then I find the original recipe works best for us. The basic soup is delicious as is or change it to your preferences!
What are your favorite foods to eat during allergies or illness? Leave a comment and let us know!
