Did you know even fish bones are great to make a mineral and gelatin packed bone broth. Learn how to acquire and prepare a super healthy Fish Bone Broth.

Here we are with the final post of four articles that I wrote following my challenge to have a cup of bone broth a day for 1 month to see if it would help with my acid reflux condition, know as GERD. Actually I should say it is the final broth recipe post because I have shared with you all the various treatments I have tried. Did I manage to cure my gut issue in the end? Was the broth all that it lived up too? Keep on reading to find out!

As I mentioned in my last post, I was a little anxious about posting my last two recipes. These last two broths could be a challenge for many to make because I am using more graphic carcass parts! First off, I want to give thanks for all the amazing support I got from my readers for the lamb’s head broth. It certainly was not a recipe many of you would run out to the store and try but I loved all your encouraging comments. Thank you! This time we are going down the fish bone broth route with fish skeletons, whole with head, fins and tail.

a spoon of fish bone broth

This article is part of my Follow your Gut series where I will tell you what actually worked out of all the things I tried! To learn more about the goodness of bone broth please read my other posts: the Chicken and Beef Bone Broth recipe is where I discuss how I learned that bone broth could help acid reflux, the Pork Bone Bone covers the GERD condition plus what foods to avoid, and for the Lamb Bone Broth I give tips and share my tried treatments.

Onwards with the wrap up of this series as I will share with you what worked and how I now manage my acid reflux condition. Let me tell you, it will be a bit anti-climactic but I am glad to have traveled this recovery road the way I did as I learned a lot. But first let’s talk about this particular fish broth.

fish bone broth bones

First question you may ask is where does one get fish bones? Go visit your friendly fish monger (fish and seafood store) and ask them if they can give you some fish carcasses. Be really friendly because they will raise an eye. I was told to come back the next day and they would keep some for me. I asked for 2 pounds. I went back the following afternoon and I was given several lovely sea bream bones. Offer money politely but chances are you will leave with your fish bones for free. I must admit this was my least favorite broth. I love fish stews but this broth was really ‘fishy’ in taste. So I added a lot of ginger, soy, chili pepper sauce and the like to be able to drink it.

Do not forget the most IMPORTANT STEP in making bone broth: let the bones sit for 30-60 minutes in cool water and a bit of apple cider vinegar without turning on the heat. Leaving the mixture sit while cool will permit the vinegar to extract the minerals from the bones. When is your bone broth ready? The broth is ready when the bones crumbles or when you can break them easily. This broth took about 12 hours.

fish bone broth in slow cooker


And the moment of truth? Have I found relief? The answer is YES, but not because of the broths. I think you have to drink it on the long term to really benefit and feel a difference. A month was not enough. Perhaps I will pick up the broth habit again when fall arrives. It is definitely a good thing for your health in any case. So what worked?

Cure: First and for most it was a change to healthier eating habits. I did this when I wanted to loose weight, not because of GERD. But it practically cured the daily discomfort all on it’s own. Up your protein intake too as it helps to rebuild the stomach lining. Lesson learned: excess fat and refined sugar wreaks havoc on your system.

Prevent: Second I have found that half a squeezed lemon or lime in 2 cups of warm water helps maintain the acidity in the stomach. But lemons are acidic? yep! One theory is that the citrus has a lower acid level than your stomach so it helps to balance the PH level. Some say apple cider vinegar works the same way but I found lemon to be more effective. And it is excellent for your digestion.

Natural relief: Finally I have found that the occasional licorice tea, when you do feel acid reflux, to be really soothing and calming for the tummy.

fish bone broth

I really hope you have enjoyed this series, that you are curious about making your own bone broths, and that you have picked up a few ideas to find relief as well if you suffer from acid reflux and/or GERD. Please share your experiences in the comments below, I would love to get your feedback.

Fish Bone Broth

Servings 6 to 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds fish bones
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2-3 carrots I used parsnips
  • 3-4 celery ribs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place fish bones, onion, carrots, celery and bay leaves in a slow cooker.
  • Add apple cider vinegar and enough water to cover the bones by about an inch.
  • Let the mixture sit for 30-60 minutes without turning on the heat.
  • Simmer in the slow cooker on low for 12 hours. Top with water if too much evaporates.
  • Strain the broth and salt to taste (I only used 1/2 tsp). Let it cool in the fridge. Your broth is ready.