Wiener Zeitung, November 15, 2019
German original: https://www.wienerzeitung.at/meinung/blogs/juedisch-leben/2038188-Juedisches-Penicillin.html
A healing effect is attributed to chicken soup . Too bad if you don’t eat meat.
It is one of these weeks. The temperatures drop, fog spreads in the morning, and the first cold of the season is on its way. However, right now I’d like to call out: if it only was a cold! Instead, I am being plagued by a burning sore throat. Diagnosis: laryngitis.
If I were eating meat, I could fall back on “Jewish penicillin,” which some of my friends swear by: chicken soup. It is said to be anti-inflammatory and to positively influence the progression of the disease, particularly with colds. Today we know that chicken contains zinc, which strengthens the immune system. But maybe it’s just the warm soup that feels good. Who knows.
However, I do without chicken soup, “Jewish penicillin” or not. Whatever healing effect is promised by anything meaty, I’d rather do without. Maybe vegetable soup has the same effect? After all, it contains vitamins and sufficient amounts of liquid never hurt either in order to get well.
Basically I am always skeptical when diseases are supposed to be healed solely with food. Yes, there are herbs that alleviate some symptoms.But there still are diseases that are better treaded with medication instead of relying on a healing kitchen.
Golden Joich
That is not to say that I want to deny chicken soup its impact. What has been invoked by generations of Jewish families can’t be so wrong. And in addition to Aspirin and the like, the “Jewish penicillin” is surely doing a good job. Because an invigorating soup has never hurt.
Recipes can be found online en masse – often celery, parsley, onion, and carrots are included as well. Besides the “Jewish penicillin,” the search term “Goldene Joich” is equally well-suited as a search term – this is how the soup is often called in a kosher kitchen. The chicken for the soup has to be kosher in any case, and no milk or cream may be added. If offal should be included or not is subject to ongoing discussions. Recipes exist for both scenarios.
To all who roll about the couch with a cold like me: get well! Next week, the world hopefully will look more friendly again. With or without chicken soup.