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You are what you eat. Diets, slimming teas, exercise, low-calorie foods – millions fight a daily battle with obesity with these weapons. And, there are a few at the other end of the spectrum who struggle with a loss of appetite. For these people, a strong desire or urge to eat feels like a distant dream.
If you are one of those people or you know somebody who suffers from low appetite, this article is for you. We will talk about the reasons behind appetite loss and how you can rectify this problem using home remedies. These remedies contain natural ingredients and are safe for everyone, unless mentioned specifically.
What Causes Loss Of Appetite?
Loss of appetite can be temporary or long term, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the leading causes of a poor or absent appetite are:
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Hormonal imbalance
- Breakdown of relationships
- Debilitating illnesses
- Eating disorders
Here are some simple home remedies for increasing appetite in children and adults.
Home Remedies To Increase Appetite
1. Syrup For Increasing Appetite
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 liter lemon juice
- 1/2 liter water
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
What You Have To Do
- Pour water in a pan, add pure maple syrup and heat it.
- Remove this from the flame and let it cool.
- Once it is cooled, add freshly squeezed lemon juice and vinegar.
- Mix well and store in an airtight container.
- Drink two tablespoons of this.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume this twice a day.
Why This Works
Aromatic, light, and delicious, lemon juice enhances your appetite whether it is consumed as it is or squeezed over fresh fruits or salads (1). You can also administer this syrup as an appetite booster for children.
2. Tamarind
You Will Need
- 10 gms tamarind
- A cup of water
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
What You Have To Do
- Soak the tamarind in water for a few hours.
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- Drink this infusion.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every day for a few days, and you will start feeling hungry again.
Why This Works
Tamarind pulp is a well-known laxative and taste enhancer used in many South Indian dishes. It is also proven to be useful to improve appetite and promote digestion (2).
3. Coriander
You Will Need
- ½ cup coriander leaves
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Prepare fresh coriander juice by blending the leaves with water.
- Drink this on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this for a few mornings.
Why This Works
Coriander is a commonly used herb in most Indian cuisines as it is known to cure indigestion. Coriander juice helps in the release of gastric enzymes, which in turn improve appetite (3).
4. Fennel Tea
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 2-3 cups water
What You Have To Do
- Boil the fennel and fenugreek seeds for a few minutes.
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- You can add some honey or orange juice for taste.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this tea once or twice a day.
Why This Works
Fennel seeds act as appetite boosters in adults and also in children. They stimulate the production of bile by the liver, thus promoting digestion. As a result, the appetite increases (4).
Caution
Please consult your doctor before using this remedy for toddlers and infants.
5. Ginger & Coriander
You Will Need
- Coriander seeds powder
- Dried ginger powder
- 100 ml water
What You Have To Do
1. Mix coriander seeds powder and dried ginger powder in the ratio 5:1 to make up to a tablespoon altogether.
2. Add this mixture to the water and heat it until the volume of the water is reduced to almost half.
3. Take it off the flame and let it cool down a little. Drink this while it is warm.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this herbal concoction every day.
Why This Works
Ginger is perhaps the most widely used appetite stimulant. Ginger juice works wonders for poor appetite. Besides, it also gives the added benefit of strengthening the immune and digestive systems (5). In combination with coriander, which is also an appetite booster, this home remedy makes a strong appetite-stimulating drink.
6. Carom Seeds
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds
- A cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Ingest the carom seeds with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once during the day, preferably in the mornings.
Why This Works
Carom seeds are another common ingredient used in Indian cooking to aid better digestion. Carom or ajwain, taken with lukewarm water once a day, will work wonders for your alimentary canal. Besides acting as an anti-flatulent and antacid, it also helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes that will naturally stimulate your hunger (6).
7. Vitamins To Increase Appetite
B vitamins are commonly used to increase appetite in adults, and even in toddlers and infants. They help to release the energy from food and promote normal appetite. A deficiency of any of the vitamins that are in the vitamin B-complex group can cause poor appetite and unhealthy digestion (7). The recommended intake of these vitamins depends not only on the age but also on other medical conditions of the person. Consult your doctor to test for any deficiencies that may be causing loss of appetite. If a deficiency is confirmed, supplementation with B vitamins is recommended to increase appetite and bring it back to the normal levels.
Do not give any supplementation to infants and toddlers without consulting a doctor first.
8. Pomegranate Juice
You Will Need
- Pomegranate juice
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Add honey (to taste) to the pomegranate juice and mix well.
- Drink it either at room temperature or chilled.
It is best if you extract fresh pomegranate juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink a glass every day.
Why This Works
This ruby-red fruit, loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, makes a great rejuvenating drink. It also enhances the appetite naturally. It is wonderful as an appetite booster for toddlers and children (8).
9. Yoga Or Other Exercies For Appetite
Last, but not the least, healthy exercise habits are the best way to regain that lost appetite. Yoga can help you to a great extent in this aspect. Practice yoga for 30-45 minutes every day for a healthy body and imrpoved digestion. Some poses that can help to increase your appetite are:
- Surya Namaskar – This 12-step routine activates all the main muscle groups of the body and regulates all internal processes.
- Kapalbhati Pranayama – This breathing yoga exercise regulates digestion and increases appetite.
- Paschimottanasana – The Forward Bending Pose is good to relieve digestive problems and improve appetite.
- Pawanmuktasana – This pose helps eliminate constipation and other digestive problems, thus increasing your appetite.
Gaining better control over your daily routine can help a lot in improving your appetite. Sleep and wake up on time, exercise regularly, drink lots of water, avoid too much snacking between meals, follow proper meal times, and think positive.
Now that you know how to increase appetite naturally, what are you waiting for? Loss of appetite may have many causes, but it can be cured. However, one must seek a doctor’s help if they are displaying alarming symptoms of anorexia or bulimia. These are medical conditions that will not go away by homemade remedies or solutions.
