Loss of appetite can be caused by a variety
of conditions and diseases. Some of the conditions can be temporary and
reversible, such as loss of appetite from the effects of medications. Some of
the conditions can be more serious, such as from the effects of underlying
cancer.
Loss of appetite may be associated with
anorexia nervosa, abnormal taste and food aversion as well as other medical
conditions.
This list is not an exhaustive list, however
the following conditions sometimes have side effects that include loss of
appetite:
·
Actinomycosis,
a rare type of bacterial infection
·
Addison
disease, an auto-immune disease involving damage to the adrenal glands
·
Alcoholic
liver disease
·
Asthma
in children
·
Binge
eating disorders
·
Cancer,
and the side effects of cancer treatments. Some people who have chemotherapy do
not feel like eating or drinking and lose their appetite.
·
Coeliac
disease
·
Hand,
foot and mouth disease (coxsackie viruses)
·
Crohn's
disease, affecting the ability to digest food along with symptoms of pain and
diarrhoea.
·
Cytomegalovirus
(CMV)
·
Dementia
·
Depression
(affects the body as well as the mind and can affect the way a person eats).
·
Diabetes,
·
Dysentery
may result in a person feeling nauseous and losing appetite.
·
Ectopic
pregnancy
·
Endocarditis
·
Gastro-oesophageal
Reflux Disease ( GORD)
·
Giardiasis
·
Glandular
Fever
·
Hepatitis
C
·
Kidney
failure
·
Leptospirosis
·
Mumps
·
Pancreatitis
·
Radiotherapy
as a treatment for cancer
·
Rheumatoid
arthritis
·
Stress
·
Tapeworm
infections
·
Ulcer
·
Ulcerative
colitis
Home Remedies to Increase Appetite
1. Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberry works as a tonic in the gastrointestinal
system. It helps reduce the problem of nausea and vomiting when mixed with
honey, improves the functioning of the digestive tract and detoxifies the liver
as well. It is loaded with vitamin C that boosts the immune system and
facilitates mineral absorption.
- Make a
powder of dry Indian gooseberries. Mix one tablespoon of its powder in a
cup of water and leave it overnight. In the morning, add a pinch of black
pepper and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Drink it daily on an empty stomach
for a few months.
- Alternatively,
combine 2 teaspoons each of lemon juice, Indian gooseberry and honey in a
cup of water. Drink it daily on an empty stomach for 3-4 months.
- Moreover,
try this tangy and refreshing fruit in the form of pickle.
- Besides,
you can take a teaspoon each of Indian gooseberry powder, honey and
clarified butter and mix all the ingredients properly. Consume it before
your meals.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a tremendous source for stimulating appetite and
relieving indigestion. It also works great for alleviating stomach aches.
- Chop
an inch of dried ginger into tiny pieces. Boil them in 2 cups of water.
Now, add some milk and sugar as per your taste. Drink it several times in
a day.
- Alternatively,
take ½ teaspoon of finely chopped ginger and add a dash of rock salt to
it. Have it half an hour before your meals regularly for 10 days.
Note – Apregnant woman should ask a doctor
before consuming ginger.
3. Black Pepper
Black pepper contains piperine that leads to absorption of
several nutrients including beta-carotene, selenium, and vitamin B. It
stimulates the taste buds, treats gastrointestinal problems and improves
digestion. Therefore, helps increase appetite.
- Take ½
teaspoon of ground black pepper and one tablespoon of jaggery powder. Mix
both the ingredients properly and consume it regularly for some days.
- Alternatively,
take equal proportion of black pepper, long pepper, dried ginger root,
cumin seeds, celery seeds and rock salt, and grind them to make a powder.
Preserve it in an airtight container. Consume 1 teaspoon of this powder
just before your meal. Take it twice in a day.
Note – Avoid this remedy, if you have stomach
ulcers or had gone through abdominal surgery.
4. Cardamom
Cardamom relieves acidity, indigestion and flatulence while
improving the appetite by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices. Simply
add crushed cardamom pods to your regular tea.
5. Carom Seeds
Carom seeds help improve the release of digestive enzymes
while increasing the appetite. Just chomp ½ teaspoon of carom seeds half an
hour before meals.
- Alternatively,
take some lemon juice and mix three tablespoons of carom seeds in it. Now,
store them in a dark and dry place and wait until it dries completely.
Afterwards, mix a little black salt. Consume one tsp of this mixture along
with lukewarm water, twice a day for a few days.
6. Garlic
Take 3-4 garlic cloves and boil them in a cup of water for a
few minutes. Filter the solution and add juice of half lemon to it. Drink it 2
times a day.
- Or
else, have hot garlic soups to restore appetite.
7. Coriander
Take a handful of coriander leaves and extract their juice.
Consume 1-2 tbsp of its juice daily until you see improvement. You can add a
few drops of lemon juice and a dash of salt to coriander juice. It releases
gastric enzymes which improves the appetite.
8. Tamarind
The laxative and carminative effects of tamarind improve the
appetite. Take some tamarind pulp in a bowl and add water to soften it. Then
add a little pepper, sugar, cloves and cinnamon. Strain this solution and drink
it on a regular basis. Alternatively, add tamarind to your curries.
Note – Avoid the Malabar variety of tamarind
since it represses the appetite.
9. Caraway
Caraway seeds cure the problem of low appetite. A tea made
from caraway seeds also deals with digestive disorders. Boil one cup of water.
Now, put two teaspoons of caraway seeds in the boiling water. Cover it with a
lid and steep it for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and add honey to sweeten
it.
- Besides,
you can add mint twig while steeping for additional flavor.
- Alternatively,
grind some roasted caraway seeds and add a pinch of salt to it. Take ½
teaspoon of this powder after every meal to increase your appetite.
- Moreover,
add caraway to cabbage dishes, rye bread, sauerkraut and pork, cheese
sauces, coleslaw, goose, and cream soups.
- Sprinkle
olive oil and caraway seeds on your toast.
10. Fennel
Fennel boosts up the appetite. Fennel extract should be
taken in doses of 5 to 30 drops. On the other hand, oil should be taken in
doses of 1 to 5 drops at a time. Alternatively, you can have fennel tea. Boil
one cup of water. Then, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly crushed fennel seeds.
Steep the mixture on stove for 5 to 10 minutes.
Note – Consuming fennel tea in large quantities
may cause hallucinations and muscle cramps.
11. Pomegranate Juice
This ruby-red fruit is packed with a number of vitamins and
antioxidants that rejuvenate your body and increase your appetite. It removes
the bad taste from mouth. So, have a fresh pomegranate juice flavored with
honey. You can also add a dash of rock salt.
12. Lemon
Lemon is a natural appetite booster. Drink lime juice or
squeeze it over salads and fresh fruits.
- Or
else, drink a glassful of lemonade each morning. Add a little honey to
appease your taste buds.
- Soak
some ginger cubes in the lemon juice for a few minutes. Sprinkle a pinch
of salt and chew them before lunch and dinner.
13. Figs
Figs are famous for their soothing properties. They have
high water content and are low in fat and sugar. Along with this, figs
stimulate appetite. You can simply include fresh figs to salads, ice
creams, cakes, soups, sandwiches, cheesecakes, or to enrich poultry and lamb
meat. Besides, you can enjoy marinated figs with raspberry sauce.
Note – Don’t consume figs if you are allergic to
it.
14. Oranges
This delicious and juicy fruit is loaded with vitamin C and
dietary fiber. It boosts up your desire for food. Just peel an orange and enjoy
it before every meal. In addition, you can sprinkle a bit of pepper as well as
ginger powder on orange.
15. Raisins
Raisins are rich source of minerals like
calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, fluoride, copper, and zinc. Sprinkle
a pinch of salt and pepper on large-sized raisins and consume them. This is
most suitable in case of appetite loss due to fever.
16. Guava
Eat 2-3 guavas two hours before every meal to stimulate your
appetite.
17. Black Gram
The decoction of black gram is excellent for stimulating
hunger. Boil 250 grams of black gram in 600 ml of water. Allow this mixture to
cool down and strain afterwards. Consume this solution a number of times in a
day.
18. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is mainly used to treat digestive problems,
especially cramps and flatulence. Include a pinch of cinnamon in your diet to
boost hunger.
- Take
equal proportion of cinnamon bark, coriander seeds, small cardamom and
fennel seeds. Combine all and soak them in cold water overnight. Filter
this mixture with a coffee strainer. Drink this cold infusion early in the
morning to build your appetite.
Herbal Remedies to Increase Appetite
19. Herbal Mix
Combine 6 drops of coriander oil, 3 drops ginger oil, 4
drops black pepper oil, 1 drop peppermint oil and 8 drops sage oil. Keep the
mixture in an air-tight bottle and smell it whenever you feel low desire for
food.
20. Herbal Tincture
Take half ounce each of dandelion root tincture,
agrimony tincture, anise seed tincture, ginger root tincture and
vegetable glycerin. Mix all the ingredients in a dark jar. Keep it in a cool
place. Shake well before using.
21. Dandelion Root
Combine one-fourth ounce each of dandelion root, sassafras,
and sarsaparilla. Keep this mixture aside. Now, boil two cups of water. Add the
mixture along with 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger root to the boiling water.
Let it steep for 20 minutes. Filter the infusion and sweeten it with honey.
Serve it by adding it to 1 quart of carbonated water.
- Dandelion
root arouses appetite when taken prior to meals. Boil a cup of water and
add dandelion root powder to it. Simmer it for 5 minutes. Moreover, you
can add cinnamon stick. Now, strain the solution and sweeten it with
honey.
Note – Consult a doctor or physician before
using it.
22. Bergamot and Peppermint Compress
Mix 3 drops of bergamot, 4 drops of lemon and 3 drops of
peppermint and massage with it. This blend can also be used as a compress.
23. Asafoetida
Combine mustard seeds, ginger, asafoetida, cumin seeds and
black salt in equal amount and grind them in a mixture to make a fine powder.
Now, add it to a glass of buttermilk. Have this drink an hour before meals to
improve your appetite.
24. Green Tea
Green tea is a very popular herbal remedy that stimulates
hunger. It is full of antioxidants. One should drink a cup of green tea half an
hour before meals.
25. Chamomile Tea
Prepare a cup of chamomile tea to improve your appetite.
Take a few chamomile leaves (either dried or fresh). Steep them in a cup of
boiled water for a few minutes. Afterwards strain the infusion and drink it.
26. Basil Tea
Basil tea is a very effective drink to overcome the lost
appetite. Boil 20 grams of basil leaves in 250 ml of water till the amount of
water decreases to half. Now, strain the infusion and add a dash of cardamom
powder, sugar to taste and milk. Drink it two times a day.
27. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea helps refresh the palate that stimulates
appetite. Boil a pint of water and add 1 tbsp of peppermint leaves to it.
Remove it from heat and allow it to steep for 20-30 minutes. Now filter the
infusion and sip the tea.
- Alternatively,
prepare a glass of peppermint lemonade by adding some twigs to the
lemonade mixture. Wait for 10 minutes and drink afterwards.
28. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a very nutritious herb that stimulates the
appetite and cleans out the system as well by the fiber content present in it.
Just take a tbsp of fresh alfalfa juice before breakfast and lunch.
- Brew
an alfalfa tea by boiling one cup of water. Add one tsp of dried alfalfa
leaves to it and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Include
alfalfa seeds and its sprouts in your meals.
- Moreover,
you can also consume 1-2 ml of its tincture three times a day.
In the case of any persistent lack of appetite, seek medical
advice.