Chicken Essence Benefits: Why this Traditional Medicine is More Than Just a Myth

Anyone who lives in Southeast Asia must have heard of or tried chicken essence. For school children, it is a must before taking exams at school or a common sight on TV and in magazines. Many families purchase it for elderly people as gifts too.

But do you know what chicken essence is? What are its ingredients and what makes it so valuable? In this article, we’ll discuss its nutritional values, and ways it can benefit your overall health.

What is Chicken Essence? 

Chicken essence is an advanced version of chicken broth. It has gone through a complicated process involving high-temperature extraction, centrifugation, vacuum concentration and sterilisation.  

According to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chicken is thought to warm the Spleen and stomach.; It can also nourish qi and blood, and tonify the Kidneys. It is traditionally known to heal fatigue, weakness, improve appetite, and diarrhoea and increase breastmilk supply.

The health properties of chicken have been lauded for more than 100 years. In China’s Ming Dynasty, black chicken was the main ingredient in wu ji bai feng pills (烏雞白鳳丸). TCM believes the pills help nourish the blood, promote fluid production, calm the mind and improve focus and concentration.

Over time, chicken essence became more practical to suit modern lifestyles. It has become a product known and loved, especially by people in Southeast Asia. 

Nutritional Value 

Several studies have discovered that it contains valuable nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids.

However, the two most important substances are anserine and carnosine. Both compounds are rich in antioxidants, giving chicken essence its value.

Health Benefits 

For generations, chicken essence has been hailed for its numerous health benefits. Studies have discovered that it consists of a long list of nutrients. It’s why it’s especially popular with elderly people.

Here are some chicken essence benefits.

Improves physical performance 

A 2014 study revealed that it can help decrease physical fatigue- and injury-related biomarkers. At the same time, it can increase tissue glycogen content — an essential energy source.

Fighting mental fatigue 

Have you ever had difficulty concentrating and solving problems? Are you feeling anxious, easily irritated, or confused? Losing sleep and your interest in everything you like? You’re probably suffering from mental fatigue. A 2013 study conducted a test on 20 men and concluded that a daily intake of it is effective to recover the effects of mental fatigue. 

On another note, pure chicken essence benefits children, pregnant women and postpartum mothers to aid mental fatigue and beyond.

Chicken Essence in TCM 

With over a century of history in TCM, physicians use this to improve the Spleen and stomach’s digestive function, since the texture is easily absorbed. TCM also thinks that chicken essence benefits are that it can improve qi (vital energy) and blood circulation. 

Additionally, physicians usually combine this with other Chinese herbs to enhance its medicinal properties. Some of those herbs and their health benefits are: 

Essence of chicken with dang gui and shou wu 

Benefits: Promotes blood circulation, tonifies Liver and Kidney.

Suitable for: Anaemia, hair loss, fatigue. 

In TCM, physicians usually prescribe Chinese angelica (dang gui, 当归) for women to manage period pain and regulate menstruation. Studies have found that the herb does this through its ability to control uterine contractions.

Polygonum multiflorum or fleeceflower root (shou wu, 首乌) is known for promoting hair growth by activating dermal papilla cells (DPCs), according to a 2020 study. Among the cells in hair follicles, DPCs are the ones that play a crucial role in hair growth. 

Essence of chicken + American ginseng and shu di 

Benefits: Nourishes qi and blood, tonifies the Liver and Kidney. 

Suitable for: Qi Deficiency, cold limbs, fatigue. 

Unlike Asian ginseng, American ginseng is milder. From TCM’s point of view, American ginseng nourishes yin (passive energy). A 2019 study reported that American ginseng owes its medicinal properties—including anti-cancer and anti-diabetes—to one of its active compounds called ginsenosides.

In TCM’s opinion, Rehmannia glutinosa (shu di, 熟地) tonifies blood, according to Another 2019 study investigating TCM formulas’ effects on menopausal hot flushes. It found that shou di improves the symptoms and the peripheral blood flow. 

Essence of chicken + huai shan 

Benefits: Restores the Spleen and stomach’s function for better absorption. 

Suitable for: Children and adults with poor appetite. 

Chinese yam (huai shan, 淮山) contains amylase, an enzyme that helps digest food. This is why consuming essence of chicken and huai shan can enhance the absorption by the Spleen and stomach. 

Essence of chicken + ginkgo biloba 

Benefits: Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helps form platelets, boosts circulation and improves memory.

Suitable for: People with poor concentration and memory, and older adults with age-related mental decline. 

Findings from a 2011 study suggest that ginkgo biloba improves the working memory of the elderly. 

Chicken essence benefits are far from a myth. In fact, science has provided many reasons why it’s part of a tradition that is passed down for more than 100 years. From Ming Dynasty-era medicine to the product we see today, it has grown and adapted perfectly to meet the needs of modern people.