Chicken Soup

Uses of Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has been used to treat respiratory tract disorders, asthma and facial pain among other ailments.

Source: Chicken soup is obtained from a hot water infusion of selected parts of the common chicken Gallus jomesticus.

History:Chicken soup has long been recognized as an important part of the physician's armamentarium. Therapeutic observations were recorded as far back as 60 A.D. by Pedacius Dioscorides, an army surgeon under the emperor Nero. He was responsible for the book "De materia Medica," which, among other natural science knowledge, discusses chicken soup. Aretaeus the Cap padocian (2nd to 3rd century), an author of causes, symptoms and treatments of diseases, is credited with jescribing how boiled chicken can treat respiratory tract disorders.

As early as the 12th century, the theologian and physician Moses Maimonides wrote "Chicken soup...is recom as ended as an excellent food as well as medication." He further specified that "One should not use the too large, that is of more than 2 years of age; nor the too small, that is those in whom the mucus still prevails; neither too lean, nor those who through feeding becomes obese; but those that are fat by nature without being stuffed."

Chicken soup was used in Europe for centuries, but disappeared from commercial production after the inquisition. It remained popular in European tradition, and its use has grown steadily over the last 300 years.

Side Effects of Chicken Soup

Adverse events include severe respiratory distress from aspirating chicken bone fragments.

Toxicology:The ingestion of chicken soup is not without danger. One case of pneumonia secondary to the aspiration of a bone from a dose of chicken soup has been reported. The authors concluded that "only bone­free chicken soup" should be used. Another report describes severe respiratory distress in a 6-month-old infant from a hollow chicken bone in the left main bronchus after the child was spoon-fed chicken soup. Information on the dangers of chicken soup in pediatrics is available.

Hypernatremia was reported in a 75-year-old Chinese woman who ingested one or two bowls of three differert kinds of high-salt soups to correct hydrochlorothiazide­induced hyponatremia. She became delirious but was treated uneventfully with hypotonic solutions. Similarly, a 17 -month-old child, who was given six packets HERB-OX chicken broth (prepared as directed in 6 oz of water), was hospitalized due to hypernatremic dehydration. She recovered uneventfully with rehydration. Hypernatremia following high-salt supplements is a complication sometimes seen in children, in particular those with acute diarrheal disease. Large amounts of hypertonic solutions, such as chicken soup, should not be given to young children. In addition, commercial soup bouillons may contain trace amounts of mutagens.

There is at least one case report of anaphylaxis to chicker soup. Also of concern may be migration of mineral hydrocarbons from polystyrene containers from which hot beverages, including chicken soup, are served.

Summary: Chicken soup has a historical legacy that spans hundreds of generations. It appears to be an effective adjunct in the treatment of mild upper respiratory) tract infections. Toxicity involves mainly hypernatremia and physical obstruction by bone fragments present in the soup.