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Dr. Bieler’s Soup

dr. Bieler's soup

It’s finally summer, and my life starts to feel like a giant whirlwind again – kids’ activities, work travels, unavoidable dinners out, cookouts.. During times like this I crave simplicity and moderation more than ever. That’s when I turn to my tried and true fermented oat kissel, kefir flax seed and simple buckwheat porridge.

Another favorite remedy during the farmers market season is a nourishing and cleansing vegetable soup, also known as Bieler’s broth. Something about seasonal vegetables, grown right here, that make this soup taste and feel so right!

I would make a double batch of Dr. Bieler’s soup and eat it for 2-3 days. During that time, following Dr. Bieler’s recommendations, I avoid proteins other than raw milk, kefir(my personal staple) and raw eggs, bake only with naturally leavened whole grains, take a break from coffee and tea, and also avoid all salt, spices or sugar. I don’t advocate it as a way of life, but I always feel rejuvenated after a couple of days of such moderation.

WHO IS DR. BIELER?

Dr. Henry Bieler is an American physician (1893-1975) who believed that most diseases can be treated with food, rather than medication. From young age, he suffered from severe asthma, and none of the professors during his medical training could do much to help him. Then he came across a physician interested in the topic of human diet habits who suggested Dr. Bieler can completely get rid of his asthma if he changes the way he eats. That diet cure worked, and that’s what ignited Dr. Bieler’s passion to study food as medicine.

He went on to practice medicine for more than 50 years, and gained reputation of a miracle healer. By all accounts, he was a remarkable physician and man, living what he preached. He treated prominent people, like actors and politicians, but also traveled great distances to visit remote farmers who asked him for help after conventional treatment failed them.

DR. BIELER’S SOUP

In his book, ‘Food is your best medicine‘ Dr. Bieler provides his reasoning behind how he diagnoses diseases, and how he determines a course of treatment. He does not prescribe one particular diet because ‘everyone is different’. That’s why we don’t have an actual collection of his recipes. He does however mention this soup on multiple occasions. He believes the combination of lightly cooked zucchini, string beans and parsley is a natural, easily digestible source of minerals and vitamins. It restores natural balance of sodium and potassium within our endocrine system, liver and kidneys.

WHAT ELSE?

Dr. Bieler believed that most folks eat excessive amounts of proteins. He said that milk and eggs lose their nutritional value after being pasteurized/cooked, and that meat cooked to temperature above rare becomes hard to digest. According to him, salt is a stimulant providing only a temporary sensation of well-being, and over consumption is detrimental to health. The best way to obtain necessary sodium is from plants (vegetables), not addition of salt. He gave a number of examples of disease-free cultures that do not have access to salt.

DR. BIELER’S SOUP – WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE? 

As you could tell from the ingredients, this is a medicinal soup first, so you shouldn’t expect a culinary fiesta. That said, I actually love the taste, it’s mild, with sweetness from green beans and pleasant creamy texture. I don’t mind the absence of salt at all! A pat of fresh butter or a splash of homemade coconut milk make it even more satisfying.

dr. bieler's soup

HOW TO MAKE DR. BIELER’S SOUP

Ingredients
2 pounds zucchini
1 pound green beans
Handful of parsley
1-2 stalks celery (optional)
My personal addition: a couple of sprigs of dill (optional)
Enough boiling water to cover the vegetables (from tea kettle)

Dr. Bieler's soup

Instructions
Roughly chop vegetables and place in a pot.
Pour boiling water from a tea kettle into the pot, just to cover the vegetables without submerging.
Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes, or until vegetables soften.
If you like thicker soup, discard some of the cooking liquid.
Transfer the cooked vegetables with liquid into a blender (I can fit the whole batch in my BlendTec).
Blend until smooth. Serve right away.

Dr. Bieler's Soup

Dr. Bieler's soup, nutritional powerhouse, restores sodium-potassium balance, relieves stress on the liver and heals inflammation.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Soup
Author: Valeria - Beets 'n Bones blog

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds zucchini
  • 1 pound green beans
  • Handful of parsley
  • 1-2 stalks celery optional
  • Enough boiling water to cover the vegetables from tea kettle

Instructions

  • Roughly chop vegetables and place in a pot.
  • Pour boiling water from a tea kettle into the pot, just to cover the vegetables without submerging.
  • Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes, or until vegetables soften.
  • If you like thicker soup, discard some of the cooking liquid.
  • Transfer the cooked vegetables with liquid into a blender (I can fit the whole batch in my BlendTec).
  • Blend until smooth. Serve right away.

Notes

  • Add 1/2 avocado to the blender to make this soup extra creamy.
  • Sometimes I add a small head of broccoli, or a big handful of spinach. I think kale also works well in it.

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4 comments

Kim January 10, 2018 - 1:58 pm

Hello again.
THank you for mentioning this Dr. Bieler. As this is a field of passionate study of mine and belief I am shocked I have not heard of him before. He is the voice of one crying in the wilderness against the AMA lockdown. Food is medicine…GOd’s medicine and herbs and spices constitute God’s pharmacy..but man cant monetarily profit from that. Rene Caisse ordeal with Essiac Tea ring a bell?. ANyway this sounds great His book sounds great and I thank you for sharing both.

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Valeria - Beets 'n Bones blog January 10, 2018 - 8:37 pm

How interesting! I’ve never heard of Rene Caisse but love reading about her, thanks for sharing! Little book of Dr. Bieler has been on my shelf for a number of years, and I still reread it regularly, especially when I know I need more discipline in my life 🙂

Reply
Kim January 20, 2018 - 1:46 pm

Hi Valeria,
You are welcome. I have looked my library doesn’t have the book so I just ordered it. I also bought these items at the store yesterday and planning to make this soup as I have several health issues and am looking forward to making it regularly from now on and cant wait to read his book. THanks again.

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Theresa Virginio May 17, 2022 - 1:08 pm

Hi Valeria, making this today, you day to serve right away but I assume leftovers can be refrigerated and still have benefits.

Thank you

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