Home Remedies and Herbs for Improve Appetite

Appetite refers to your desire to eat food. It’s linked with hunger, but you may experience a strong appetite when hunger is absent or lose your appetite even when you’re hungry. Loss of appetite is common, especially among ill individuals. However, long-term appetite loss can lead to more serious complications if you aren’t getting the nutrients you need. In the medical community, decreased appetite is referred to as anorexia.¹ It can help to take herbal remedies to improve appetite to get you eating again and boost nutrient intake.

What Causes Loss of Appetite?

Loss of appetite can happen for a number of reasons and is a symptom of numerous illnesses. It’s more common in older adults than younger individuals. Oftentimes, it’s linked with emotional problems like grief, sadness, or depression rather than physical causes.¹ However, physical conditions that affect the digestive system or cause nausea may lead to a decrease in appetite. Some known causes of decreased appetite include:^{1, 2}

• Cancers like colon, ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach cancer
• Dementia
• Heart failure
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Appendicitis
• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Thyroid disorders
• Angioedema
• Influenza
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tuberculosis
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications

If you suspect your loss of appetite is caused by the treatment or medication you’re given for your condition, always be sure to talk to your doctor before changing the dosage or stopping treatment.

Decreased Appetite Symptoms

Decreased appetite is a symptom itself and may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, especially if it persists for a long period. Further complications may arise, including weight loss or decreased muscle mass. Contact your doctor if you are losing weight without trying or if your loss of appetite is accompanied with signs of depression, eating disorder, or drug and alcohol use.³

Treatment for poor appetite varies depending on the cause. Appetite should return once the underlying condition is cured.³ For some individuals, it may help to drink liquid shakes to help replenish nutrients when they have no desire to eat. It may also help to eat your favorite foods or try different foods to see what stimulates your appetite. Studies show that older individuals with poor appetite show different food preferences than those with a strong appetite, generally preferring colorful foods with high fiber and a solid texture, along with variety to their meal.⁴ Various herbal remedies can be used to help improve appetite.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003121.htm
2. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/lookup/conditions-for-appetite-loss
3. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/appetite-decreased
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25772198