Medical plants (MPs) have shown potential in alleviating the negative effects of heat stress (HS) on chickens. HS, caused by rising ambient temperatures, leads to reduced growth, immune dysfunction, intestinal damage, and increased oxidative stress. MPs, rich in bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory agents, can improve growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, and intestinal health in heat-stressed chickens. Several herbs, including Artemisia spp., Olea europaea L., Silybum marianum, Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Thymus vulgaris, and Salvia rosmarinus, have been studied for their protective effects against HS. Artemisia spp. has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, improving growth and reducing oxidative stress in broilers. Olive oil and its extracts enhance antioxidant status, improve meat quality, and reduce oxidative damage. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improving growth and immunity in heat-stressed broilers. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) improves growth, antioxidant status, and intestinal health. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, enhancing immunity and reducing stress markers. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) improves antioxidant activity, intestinal health, and immune function. MPs can enhance gut health, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and improve immunity in chickens under HS conditions. However, further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms and interactions between MPs, intestinal microbiota, and barriers. Overall, MPs offer a promising, safe, and economically viable approach to mitigate the adverse effects of HS in poultry.Medical plants (MPs) have shown potential in alleviating the negative effects of heat stress (HS) on chickens. HS, caused by rising ambient temperatures, leads to reduced growth, immune dysfunction, intestinal damage, and increased oxidative stress. MPs, rich in bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory agents, can improve growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, and intestinal health in heat-stressed chickens. Several herbs, including Artemisia spp., Olea europaea L., Silybum marianum, Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Thymus vulgaris, and Salvia rosmarinus, have been studied for their protective effects against HS. Artemisia spp. has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, improving growth and reducing oxidative stress in broilers. Olive oil and its extracts enhance antioxidant status, improve meat quality, and reduce oxidative damage. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improving growth and immunity in heat-stressed broilers. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) improves growth, antioxidant status, and intestinal health. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, enhancing immunity and reducing stress markers. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) improves antioxidant activity, intestinal health, and immune function. MPs can enhance gut health, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and improve immunity in chickens under HS conditions. However, further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms and interactions between MPs, intestinal microbiota, and barriers. Overall, MPs offer a promising, safe, and economically viable approach to mitigate the adverse effects of HS in poultry.