According to traditional Eastern medicine, chicken is not only a food but also a valuable medicinal ingredient. Chicken meat is highly nutritious and has significant healing properties. It is described as having a sweet flavor, warm nature, and is non-toxic, primarily affecting the spleen and stomach meridians. Some sources also note its positive influence on the liver and kidneys.

Chicken helps to nourish qi and blood, strengthen the spleen and benefit the stomach, warm the middle burner, and dispel deficiency cold. It is especially suitable for people with qi deficiency, weak spleen and stomach, or those recovering their health. Thanks to its warming nature, chicken also helps to nourish yang energy, improve physical condition, and enhance immunity.

Eating Too Much Chicken in Summer—Potential Risks

Dr. Do Minh Tuan from the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association warns that improper consumption of chicken in summer can increase internal heat-related health issues. He explains that summer corresponds to the Fire element, related to the Heart organ, which is closely connected to the liver and spleen.

Because of its warming and heat-generating nature, eating excessive chicken in summer can cause an imbalance of yin and yang, leading to symptoms such as heatiness, irritability, internal heat, red eyes, insomnia, palpitations, and bloating.

Furthermore, during summer, the body is easily affected by strong yang energy. Overconsumption of chicken can increase internal heat, causing problems like hives, itching (due to wind-heat or protein allergy), boils, atopic dermatitis (heat toxicity), or digestive disorders (from weak spleen and stomach unable to process nutrients properly).

In some individuals with sensitive constitutions, chicken may even worsen conditions such as allergic itching, rheumatoid arthritis (joint, muscle, tendon pain), or infectious diseases, Dr. Do Minh Tuan added.

To Maximize the Benefits of Chicken, the doctor recommends:

• Cooking chicken with ingredients like winter melon, loofah, lotus root, artichoke, gotu kola, or coix seed to balance its warming nature, nourish heart yin, and cool the blood. Dishes such as chicken stewed with lotus root or lily bulb, chicken porridge with gotu kola and mung beans help reduce dampness, clear heat, and strengthen the spleen.

• Prioritizing boiled or stewed dishes; limiting fried and oily preparations to avoid increasing internal heat.

• People with qi deficiency, spleen weakness, or those recovering from illness should eat only small amounts. Also, avoid eating chicken late in the afternoon when yang energy is strong, to prevent excessive internal heat.

• Those showing signs of heat syndrome (heatstroke, sore throat, acne, restlessness, red eyes), suffering from allergic itching, hives, or digestive problems like bloating and prolonged constipation should limit chicken consumption.

Chicken is a nutritious food, but its use during summer should be adjusted according to individual constitution and weather conditions. By combining the right ingredients, cooking appropriately, and eating in moderation, consumers can fully enjoy the benefits of chicken without adverse health effects.