Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite has many causes and can often be related to an illness. A person suffering from appetite loss may not feel hungry at all, or feel full after a few bites and may eat a lot less than is normal for them.
Symptoms
The symptoms of appetite loss may include unintended weight loss, fatigue, depression, difficulty in concentrating and weakness.
Causes
Loss of appetite may be due to a variety of reasons and while commonly related to an illness, emotional upsets can also affect your appetite.
Besides illness, appetite loss can occur if you suffer from teeth and gum problems, like periodontal disease or a broken tooth. If you have chronic pain, are depressed, anxious or stressed you may also lose your appetite. It could be due to digestive problems like bloating, indigestion or constipation. Intestinal disorders and disorders in organs that impact food digestion, such as pancreas, liver or the gallbladder can impact appetite as the digestive enzymes are not working properly to digest food.
Appetite loss can also occur with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and as a side effect of medications. Grief, alcoholism and infection may also cause this problem.
Cautions
Prolonged loss of appetite that is accompanied by weight loss needs to be addressed by a medical professional. Unexplained appetite loss that lasts longer than a week could be a sign of a more serious problem that needs professional advice.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Peppermint – an herbal tea made of peppermint can increase the appetite. Drink a cup before meals.
- Dandelion – as a bitter herb, dandelion can help to stimulate the appetite when taken before meals. Other bitter herbs that work include hyssop and yarrow.
- Alfalfa – this nourishing herb can help stimulate the appetite as well as clean out the system due to their fiber content. Take a tablespoon of fresh juice before breakfast and lunch.
- Fennel – this herb will help if the loss of appetite is due to emotional upset. The juice of fennel, chamomile, fenugreek or lemon balm will all benefit the appetite. An herbal tea of any of these herbs can be taken throughout the day as needed.
- Slippery Elm – a gruel can be made of slippery elm to give the body nutrition and to aid the digestion. To make the gruel, add a ¼ cup of the bark powder to half a teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 cups of water and a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. Stir the powders into cold water in a pan and let it sit for half an hour. Slowly heat the mixture for five minutes, stirring to prevent clumping. Let it cool a little before serving.
- Cinnamon – adding a dash of cinnamon to your food can boost an appetite that has been lowered.
- Astragalus – in Chinese medicine, this herb is often recommended to stimulate an appetite weakened by disease or diarrhea.
- Herbal blends – there are a couple of herbal blends that can be used to stimulate the appetite. One such formula includes ½ ounce dandelion root tincture, ½ ounce agrimony tincture, ½ ounce anise seed tincture, ½ ounce ginger root tincture and ½ ounce vegetable glycerin. Combine all ingredients in a dark jar and store it in a dark, cool place. Shake well before using.
Another blend is made from ¼ ounce dandelion root, ¼ ounce sassafras, ¼ ounce sarsaparilla, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger root and 2 cups boiling water. Allow this combination to steep in the boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired. Add this mixture to 1 quart of carbonated water before serving.
Aromatherapy for Loss of Appetite
Commonly used essential oils to stimulate appetite include:
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Ylang – Ylang
These can be blended to use in massage, bath, burner or compress. Suggested blends include:
- Bergamot 3 drops, Lemon 4 drops, Peppermint 3 drops
- Chamomile 3 drops, Lavender 3 drops, Peppermint 3 drops.