Healing Garlic Soup

Hello readers! I hope you’re doing well this third week of December, and if you are not in the best of health, I have the recipe for you: Healing Garlic Soup! It’s one of my most popular recipes and I make it whenever we need an immune boost.

OK. So about a month ago, one of my friends shared a recipe for an immune-boosting soup that had FIFTY TWO CLOVES of garlic in it. I was taken aback. 52? As in 5 tens and 2 ones? That sounded like a disaster. But it was all for the immune-boosting properties, I suppose. I, however, am not that dedicated to homeopathy or garlic-smelling skin/pores/breath/etc. When my son happened to get a mild fever last month, I thought, “Might as well see if this whole garlic buzz has any anecdotal use!”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am pro-science. I don’t forgo a doctor’s visit when it’s warranted. I also a) enjoy soup and b) have a lot of garlic on hand at any given moment. So I read up on the science behind the medicinal uses of garlic and found this…

From Healthline.com:
“Garlic supplements are known to boost the function of the immune system. One large, 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared to a placebo. The average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days in the placebo group to just 1.5 days in the garlic group. Another study found that a high dose of aged garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) reduced the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61%. However, one review concluded that the evidence is insufficient and more research is needed. Despite the lack of strong evidence, adding garlic to your diet may be worth trying…”

I reduced the quantity of garlic and modified a lot of the recipe. I served it to my children with some buttered bread slices. First of all, it was freaking delicious. Secondly, my son woke up the following day with no fever and no other symptoms. So it was a win-win situation! I know this is anecdotal so take it as you will. I have made this healing garlic soup for friends and family time and time again and it really has been transformative for us during cold season.

So, without further ado and storytelling, here is the recipe for my healing garlic soup that is both tasty and healing. Get some of that antioxidant power!

**DISCLAIMER** I am not a medical health professional. If you need care please see a doctor.

Healing Garlic Soup

An immune boosting, healing garlic soup perfect for when you're feeling a little under the weather. Recipe by The Friendly Feast

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Ingredients

  

• 1 large onion chopped
• 4 T oil of choice (I usually use olive oil here)
• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 20 cloves fresh garlic
• 1 tsp ginger (chopped fresh, or 1/2 tsp powdered)
• 3 cups vegetable broth (I used better than bouillon no-chicken)

Instructions

 

• Tie the herbs in a bundle with twine. Set aside.
• Heat oil in medium pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes. Add whole garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes more. Drop herb bundle into the pot and cover with broth. Stir and reduce heat to low, simmering for 25 minutes until garlic is soft. Remove herb bundle.
• Using an immersion blender, or moving soup contents to a traditional blender, blend on high until thoroughly mixed. Serve in soup bowls with bread or crackers and top with chopped fresh herbs.