Bone Broth Elixir
When I was writing The Nourished Mother, I wanted to address the real-life barriers that so many of us face when we’re trying to nourish ourselves well in postpartum. One of the themes that came up again and again when I talked with my community was bone broth.
So many people know how beneficial it is. So many truly want to drink it.
But yet something I kept hearing was “I know it’s good for me… I just don’t love the taste.” (I get it!)
One of my favourite postpartum rituals to recommend is freezing bone broth in advance and drinking a warm mug each day — just like you would a tea — alongside including warming, broth-based meals in your day or freezer prep plan.
If you love the idea of daily bone broth and don’t love the flavour of it on its own, let me introduce you to one of my favourite solutions:
The Bone Broth Elixir — also known as Sipping Bone Broth.
Why include bone broth in your postpartum healing season?
Bone broth is one of those timeless foods that feels like medicine in a mug. In many traditional cultures, new mothers are given broth daily—sometimes for weeks—because it’s easy to digest, deeply nourishing, and helps the body rebuild after the huge work of pregnancy and birth. Here’s why it’s so beneficial for your postpartum healing:
Warming
Warm, liquid-based foods have long been a foundation of postpartum nourishment across many cultures, and for good reason. Warmth supports circulation, promotes digestive function, and is often better tolerated in the early weeks after birth, when appetite can be low and the nervous system is under strain. A daily mug of warm bone broth offers gentle thermal support that helps the body transition from pregnancy into recovery.
Hydrating
In the postpartum period fluid and blood loss, breastfeeding, and sleep deprivation all increase hydration needs. Bone broth provides not only fluid, but also sodium, potassium, and trace minerals that support electrolyte balance, circulation, and nervous system regulation. For many new mothers, warm, seasoned broth can be easier to drink sometimes than plain water, making it a practical way to support daily hydration.
Gentle on digestion
Bone broth provides key amino acids — particularly glycine and glutamine — that support the integrity of the intestinal lining and the normal repair of the gut after the physiological stress of pregnancy and birth. These compounds help maintain healthy barrier function, support nutrient absorption, and regulate inflammatory processes within the digestive tract. In the postpartum period, when digestion can be sluggish or easily unsettled, a warm hydrating fluid can be incredibly supportive.
Healing Nourishment
Long-simmered bone broth supplies collagen-building amino acids such as glycine and proline, which support connective tissue repair, wound healing, and recovery of the uterus, perineum, and surgical tissues after birth. These same compounds also support immune function and nervous system recovery. Together, hydration, minerals, and targeted amino acids make bone broth a uniquely gentle and physiologically supportive food for rebuilding strength in the postpartum season.
Key ingredients in the nourishing Bone Broth Elixir
Here’s how we turn a nourishing liquid to something you actually enjoy drinking!
Bone Broth: Help repair tissues, strengthen joints, and support skin elasticity—important for healing after delivery.
Ginger, turmeric & cinnamon: Warming spices that support circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid digestion.
Sea salt: Often the most important piece in having a broth that you actually want to drink, salt provides needed sodium for fluid balance, blood pressure, and your adrenals.
Ghee or coconut oil: Provide nourishing fats for hormone balance and steady energy.
Raw honey or maple syrup: Offer a touch of sweetness plus trace nutrients.
Lemon juice: Brightens flavor while supporting digestion and vitamin C intake.
What bone broth should I use?
There are so many wonderful bone broth options!
Homemade bone broth
I’m always going to suggest you make your own bone broth at home because it’s basically free and quite simple, especially once you’ve done it once! If you’re new to making bone broth, download my Essential Bone Broth Guide for step-by-step instructions for making it no matter what you use (slow cooker, pot, instant pot), what bones to use, and how to store it.
Store Bought bone broth
It’s amazing how many quality bone broths are now on the market if you’d prefer to buy instead of getting out your pot or slow cooker!
What to look for:
For a quality bone broth, look both at the ingredient list and the nutrient panel. Bones should be the first ingredient (after water), and the ingredient list should look exactly like what you’d use at home (bones, vegetables, spices and salt). Real bone broth will also have true protein (usually 10g per serving) as well as fat.
Local organic options:
I’m a big fan of high quality, locally sourced and organic bone broths if you can find a retailer where you live. In southern Ontario, the best I’ve found for quality and taste is Ripe and they have an amazing variety available. You can use my discount code FOODDOULA15 to save 15%! If you’re after convenience, their Liquid Gold Chicken Bone Broth is definitely a sipping broth!
How to Make Bone Broth Elixir (Step-by-Step)
Warm the broth gently.
Pour your bone broth into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat. Let it come to a light simmer — little bubbles around the edges — but avoid a rolling boil. Tip: rapid boiling can make the broth taste overly strong and reduce some of its delicate nutrients.Add the spices.
Stir in the grated ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, sea salt (if your broth isn’t salted), and a pinch of black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip: the black pepper helps your body absorb the curcumin in turmeric more effectively, boosting its anti-inflammatory benefits.Stir in healthy fats.
Add the ghee or coconut oil to the pot, stirring until it melts completely into the broth. This step adds richness and healthy fats that help balance hormones and provide longer-lasting energy.Sweeten it up.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in honey or maple syrup until dissolved. This adds a little sweetness that complements the spices.Add brightness (optional).
Squeeze in a bit of fresh lemon juice before serving. It balances the richness for sipping and adds extra vitamin C.Strain and serve.
Strain the mixture into your mug and enjoy! Tip: store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently on the stove.
Bone Broth Elixir FAQ
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can batch-prep a larger pot and store it in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, and add honey/maple syrup and lemon just before serving for the freshest flavour.
2. Can I freeze bone broth for later?
Yes! Freeze your broth in mason jars (leaving 2 inches of space at the top) or portioned silicone molds. You can freeze the Bone Broth Elixir ready-to-go with the spices and ghee/coconut oil. Then, when you’re ready, just reheat and add the honey and lemon juice fresh.
3. How often should I drink this postpartum?
A cup a day or whenever you feel like it is a great ritual. Many moms sip bone broth daily in the early weeks postpartum for hydration, minerals, and gut-healing support. It’s especially nice in the afternoon or evening when you need grounding.
Bone Broth Elixir Recipe from The Nourished Mother Cookbook
5 minutes Prepping
10 minutes Cooking
Makes 2 servings
What you need:
2 cups homemade or high-quality store-bought bone broth (chicken or beef)
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
Big pinch of sea salt (if using unsalted broth) to taste
Pinch of black pepper
1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
1 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup
Fresh lemon juice (optional)
How to Make It
In a small saucepan, heat the bone broth over medium heat until lightly simmering
Add ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Let simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring often.
Stir in ghee or coconut oil until melted.
Remove from heat and strain if desired.
Stir in honey or maple syrup and a squeeze of lemon juice, if using.
Pour into a mug and enjoy warm.
Real-Life Postpartum Tips
Make a batch ahead: Simmer a pot of broth, then portion it into mason jars or freezer cubes so you always have some ready.
Freezer-friendly: This elixir can be made in bulk and frozen—just leave out the honey/maple syrup and lemon juice until reheating. Thaw gently on the stove for best flavour.
Drink daily: Aim for one cup a day during early postpartum. It’s hydrating, mineral-rich, and soothing for the digestive system.
More Nourishing Recipes For Postpartum + Family Life
For more nourishing, whole food recipes that support postpartum healing, one-handed snacks for real life with a baby, family meals and easy proteins you can turn into quick meals, get your copy of The Nourished Mother!