Loss of appetite describes when the desire to eat is reduced. Sometimes it is called ‘absent hunger’. It is very different to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa as this is an intentional restriction on how much you eat, whereas a loss of appetite is generally unintentional.

Your appetite is regulated by a series of communications between the central nervous system, digestive system, endocrine system, and sensory nerves. Having a regular appetite helps to ensure your body gets all the food it needs to function correctly and maintain a healthy weight.

Most short-term cases of appetite loss are caused by a reaction to being sick, overfed, stressed, or simply being too busy. Whilst a short-term loss of appetite is usually nothing to worry about if it lasts for more than a few days you may start to notice negative side effects such as weight loss, irritability, or problems with your sleep. Thankfully, there are a number of home remedies you can try to regulate your appetite.

Home Remedies for Loss of Appetite

1. Change the Way You Eat

The way you structure your eating patterns can have a huge impact on your appetite. If you find you’re struggling to get through large meals, try eating more regular but smaller meals instead. You don’t have to stick with the idea of having your largest meal in the evening either. Eat a large meal when you feel hungry, no matter which meal of the day it is. This way you’re feeding your body when it needs fueling the most, and not just when you think you should be based on societal norms. Another good trick is to eat at the same time each day.

 

2. Treat Nausea

Nausea is a common cause of a loss of appetite so treating that could help you feel able to eat properly again. To do so you could try sipping ginger tea, sitting up for a least an hour after eating to relieve pressure on your stomach or getting some fresh air. To learn more about treating Nausea, read our article 19 Home Remedies for Nausea.

 

3. Identify and Treat Underlying Digestive Problems

If your loss of appetite is being caused by an underlying digestive issue, you’ll need to identify and treat that before you notice your appetite improving. You can chat with your doctor about this or try to work out which specific triggers are causing the issues and then redesign your diet or lifestyle to avoid those triggers.

 

4. Treat Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety can also have an effect on your appetite. This is because they alter the level of stress hormone in your body which can cause inflammation. Try using natural remedies to calm your anxiety or lift your depression and hopefully you should start to see your appetite improve again.  

5. Exercise

Physical activity can really help your digestive system which will help to regulate your appetite. Doing twenty to thirty minutes of aerobic exercise each day should really help. Taking a walk before meals can also help to improve your appetite as well as reducing your stress, inflammation and helps you sleep better.

 

6. Fight Fatigue & Improve Energy Levels

Making sure you can get enough sleep can be a great remedy for loss of appetite. If you are worried that you have insomnia, read our article 13 Home Remedies for Insomnia to learn how to treat it.

 

7. Syrup

Syrup works as a home remedy for loss of appetite whether you consume it straight or use it as a topping over fruit or salads. You can also some syrup with some lemon juice, water, and white vinegar, heat it in a pan and let it cool before drinking.

8. Tamarind

Tamarind can make a great laxative which helps to promote regular digestion and improve your appetite. Soak the tamarind in a cup of water for a few hours before straining the liquid, adding salt and pepper and drinking. Do this every day for three or four days and you should find your appetite improves again.

 

9. Coriander

Coriander is one of the most commonly used herbs in Indian cuisine and is well known to help cure indigestion – a common cause of loss of appetite. The herb also helps stimulate the release of gastric enzymes which also help to lift your appetite. You can simply add a little extra coriander to your meals or blend some leaves with some water to make a juice and drink it. If you do this for a couple of mornings and your appetite should start to improve.  

10. Fennel Tea

Fennels seeds can help boost the appetite of both adults and children. They stimulate the production of bile from the liver and therefore promotes better digestion which improves your appetite as a result. The seeds can be used to infuse a tea and add a little honey or orange juice to sweeten it.

 

11. Ginger and Coriander Mix

Together, ginger and coriander make a potent home remedy for improving your appetite. Use both to make an herbal tea and drink it each day. The ginger can help soothe any nausea that may be causing your loss of appetite whilst it will also work with the coriander to boost your digestive system.

 

12. Carom Seeds

Mix some carom seeds with a cup of warm water. Ingesting the seeds in this way, each day will help to boost your appetite by encouraging the secretion of your digestive enzymes. They’ll be most effective if you take them in the morning.  

 

13. Vitamin B

Vitamin B is often recommended to improve the appetite of both adults and infants. This is because a vitamin B deficiency is often linked to poor digestion which can make you feel less hungry. Taking a daily vitamin B supplement should help to improve your digestion and help you get your appetite back. You should consult your doctor before giving supplements to children though!

14. Pomegranate Juice

Fresh pomegranate juice makes a great home remedy for loss of appetite. It’s packed full of vitamins and antioxidants which will help to enhance your appetite.

 

15. Yoga

Yoga is great for improving your appetite as it helps to reduce stress, improve depression and anxiety and is a positive form of healthy exercise. Doing thirty to forty minutes of yoga each day could really help improve your digestion too. This will go a long way to increase your appetite.

 

16. Avoid Bad Odors

If you’re finding that your appetite has diminished, staying clear of bad smelling foods could really help. If food smells bad it’s less likely to appeal to you and you’re therefore less likely to want to eat.

17. Bitter Greens

Even as children, we’re told that it’s important to eat your greens. Kale, endives, and watercress are all great at stimulating digestion and improving your appetite. This is because they stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. These bitter greens also encourage the gallbladder to release bile which breaks fatty foods into smaller particles for easier absorption.

 

18. Water

Water can solve a number of issues and a loss of appetite. Ideally, you should be aiming to drink eight glasses of water every day and this will help to control your appetite.

19. Caraway

Even the ancient Greeks were away of the effects caraway could have on the digestive system. It helps to calm your stomach and break down difficult to digest foods. By making it easier to digest foods, your stomach is less likely to feel full which will help to increase your appetite.

 

20. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is an extremely powerful home remedy for loss of appetite. Many people believe it can heat up your metabolism which will help to improve your appetite. You can simply add a few shakes of cayenne to your meal to add a little extra kick to recipes and your appetite.

 

21. Peppermint

Peppermint is great for reviving the appetite. Add a tablespoon of peppermint leaves to some boiling water for twenty to thirty minutes. You can then let the water cool and strain it ready to drink. Taking little sips can really help to stimulate your digestive system, calm the stomach and improve your appetite.

 

22. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberries help to detoxify the liver which plays a huge role in regulating your digestive system. As a result, it can really help to improve your appetite and help you to eat more normally.

23. Black Pepper

Black pepper can help to treat gastrointestinal issues, stimulate taste buds, and enhance stomach acid in order to aid digestion. Adding a little extra black pepper to your meals should help to improve your appetite and over time you should find yourself more able to eat normal and regular meals.  

 

24. Cardamom

Cardamom pods can be used to infuse herbal teas that make great home remedies for loss of appetite. The compounds that will be released by the cardamom pod will encourage the secretion of digestive juices which helps to improve your appetites.

25. Garlic

Adding a few crushed garlic cloves to some water as a drink or adding more garlic into your foods is another great way to boost your appetite. This is because, like many of the home remedies on our list, it can help to improve digestion.

Which of these home remedies will you use to treat your loss of appetite? Comment below!

References

https://www.dabur.com/in/en-us/about/science-of-ayurveda/ayurvedic-home-remedies/loss-of-appetite

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/simple-home-remedies-to-improve-appetite/#gref

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-whet-an-appetite-1132085

https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-poor-appetite.htm

https://stylesatlife.com/articles/home-remedies-for-loss-of-appetite/