Researchers tested whether adding medicinal herbs to chicken feed could prevent a serious liver disease that affects egg-laying hens. They studied 384 chickens over 12 weeks, comparing regular feed to a challenging diet that stressed the chickens’ livers. Three different herb mixtures were tested, with one special combination of lemon, black pepper, sumac, and chicory showing the best results. This herb mix successfully reversed the negative effects of the challenging diet, helping chickens eat better, lay more eggs, and maintain healthier livers. The findings suggest that natural herbs could be a practical way to keep laying hens healthy and productive.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding different combinations of medicinal herbs to chicken feed could prevent a serious liver disease (fatty liver syndrome) that affects egg-laying hens and reduces egg production.
  • Who participated: 384 laying hens (LSL-Lohmann breed) between 65 and 77 weeks old, divided into 8 different groups receiving different diets and herb treatments over a 12-week period.
  • Key finding: A specific herb mixture containing lemon, black pepper, sumac, and chicory significantly improved all measured health markers in chickens fed a challenging diet, reversing the negative effects on egg production, feed intake, and liver health.
  • What it means for you: While this research focuses on chickens, it suggests that certain medicinal herbs may help protect liver health under stressful conditions. However, more research is needed before these findings can be applied to human health, and you should always consult a doctor before using herbs as supplements.

The Research Details

This was a controlled experiment where researchers divided 384 laying hens into 8 different groups. Half the groups received normal feed, while the other half received a special challenging diet designed to stress their livers and cause disease. Within each diet group, some chickens received no herb treatment (control), while others received one of three different medicinal herb mixtures added to their feed. The researchers carefully tracked everything the chickens ate, how many eggs they laid, egg weight, and examined their blood and livers for signs of disease over 12 weeks.

The three herb mixtures tested were: Mix 1 (turmeric, fumitory, green tea, milk thistle), Mix 2 (lemon, black pepper, sumac, chicory), and Mix 3 (garlic, artichoke, ginger, shallot). By comparing results across all groups, researchers could determine which herb mixture, if any, worked best at preventing liver disease.

This research design is important because it mimics real-world conditions where laying hens face nutritional stress that can cause liver disease. By testing multiple herb combinations, researchers could identify which specific herbs are most protective. The controlled nature of the experiment means researchers could be confident that any improvements were caused by the herbs, not other factors.

This study has several strengths: it used a large sample size (384 birds), included a proper control group for comparison, tested multiple herb combinations, and measured multiple health indicators (blood tests, liver examination, egg production). The study was published in PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. However, the study was conducted only in chickens, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans. The study also didn’t test the herbs on humans, so we cannot yet know if they would have similar effects in people.

What the Results Show

The challenging diet successfully created liver disease in the chickens, reducing how much they ate, how many eggs they laid, and egg weight. Blood tests showed higher levels of liver damage markers and fat in the blood of chickens on the challenging diet. When researchers examined the livers, they found more severe damage and lesions in chickens on the challenging diet.

When herb mixtures were added to the challenging diet, Mix 2 (lemon, black pepper, sumac, chicory) showed the most impressive results. Chickens receiving Mix 2 ate more feed, laid more eggs, had better egg weight, and showed significantly lower liver damage markers in their blood. The liver lesions were also much less severe in these chickens compared to those on the challenging diet without herbs.

Mix 1 and Mix 3 showed some improvements, but not as consistently or dramatically as Mix 2. Interestingly, the herb mixtures did not significantly change white blood cell counts or hemoglobin levels, suggesting the herbs worked specifically to protect the liver rather than affecting overall immune function.

The study found that the challenging diet reduced feed conversion efficiency (how well chickens convert feed into eggs), particularly in weeks 5 and 6. Mix 2 also improved this efficiency. The herb mixtures appeared to work by reducing fat accumulation in the liver and lowering blood triglyceride levels, which are markers of liver stress. The specific combination of ingredients in Mix 2 appeared more effective than the other combinations tested.

This research builds on previous studies showing that medicinal herbs can support liver health. The finding that specific herb combinations work better than others aligns with traditional herbal medicine practices. However, this is one of the first studies to systematically test multiple herb combinations in laying hens with induced liver disease, making it a valuable addition to the research on natural liver protection.

This study was conducted only in chickens, so we cannot directly apply these results to humans or other animals without further research. The study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits continue long-term. The researchers did not test the herbs on humans, so we cannot confirm they would have similar protective effects in people. Additionally, the study did not identify which specific compounds in Mix 2 are responsible for the benefits, so we don’t fully understand how the herbs work.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, a specific combination of lemon, black pepper, sumac, and chicory appears promising for protecting liver health under stressful conditions in laying hens (moderate confidence). However, these findings cannot yet be recommended for human use without further research. If you’re interested in liver health, focus on proven approaches: maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol consumption, eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, and consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.

This research is most relevant to poultry farmers and veterinarians looking for natural ways to prevent liver disease in laying hens. While the herb combination is interesting, people should not self-treat liver disease with these herbs without medical supervision. Anyone with existing liver disease should consult their healthcare provider before using herbal supplements.

In the chicken study, improvements in liver health markers appeared within 5-6 weeks of adding the herb mixture to the diet. If similar herbs were ever tested in humans, benefits would likely take several weeks to become apparent. However, this timeline is based on animal research and cannot be assumed to apply to people.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using an app to track liver health, monitor weekly: energy levels, digestive comfort, and any yellowing of skin or eyes. Also track dietary intake of liver-supporting foods like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants.
  • Users could use a nutrition app to increase intake of foods that support liver health: add more turmeric to meals, include more leafy greens, consume more garlic and ginger in cooking, and drink green tea. Track these additions weekly to build consistent habits.
  • Set up monthly reminders to assess overall wellness and energy levels. If considering herbal supplements, work with a healthcare provider to monitor liver function through blood tests (AST, ALT, triglycerides) every 3-6 months to ensure safety and effectiveness.

This research was conducted in chickens and has not been tested in humans. These findings should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat liver disease. If you have liver disease, fatty liver, or any liver-related health concerns, consult your healthcare provider before making dietary changes or taking herbal supplements. Some herbs can interact with medications or cause side effects in certain people. Always speak with a doctor or registered dietitian before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.