You may have experienced a lack of appetite at some point in your life. This syndrome left you with no urge of eating. (1) In that case, you can try some natural appetite stimulants to solve this problem.
Food is of utmost importance for the nourishment of your body. So, it’s vital that you try to solve your low appetite problem. You can do this with some available ingredients from your kitchen. (2)
Continue reading to learn more about why you suffer a lack of appetite. This article also gives out a list of appetite-stimulating natural ingredients, herbs, and lifestyle hacks.
13 Natural Appetite Stimulants for Loss of Taste
The following home remedies and lifestyle hacks may stimulate your taste buds. It will help you overcome appetite loss.
1. Lemon
Lemon as a citric fruit is an appetite stimulator. Its fragrance and flavor add more to the dishes and boost your appetite (4). You can prepare a homemade lemon appetite syrup.
How to use lemon to make appetite syrup:
- Boil 1 liter of water and add ½ kg of sugar to it. Cook it on low flame until you get a thick syrup.
- Switch off the fire and allow the syrup to cool down. When the syrup is cold, add 1 liter of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of vinegar to it. Mix all the ingredients well and store it in a container.
- You can consume 2 tablespoons of this syrup 3 times daily to increase your appetite.
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2. Tamarind
Tamarind is a prominent ingredient in Ayurvedic practice. This tropical fruit has a long list of medical properties.
Tamarind pulp has a generous stock of iron, magnesium, potassium, and laxative. (5) That is why it is beneficial in enhancing your appetite and digestive functions.
Here is a simple method of using tamarind to treat appetite loss:
- Mix 10g of tamarind pulp with 1 cup of water and leave it for 10 minutes.
- Now strain the solution and add a pinch of salt and pepper to it.
- You can drink this tamarind juice twice daily for a week and crave for food again.
3. Coriander
This popular herb has a direct contribution in producing gastric enzymes. This way it may enhance your appetite for food. Coriander is also a potent remedy for indigestion and various stomach disorders. (6)
Learn how you may use coriander as herbal appetite stimulant:
- Blend ½ a cup of fresh coriander leaves with water.
- Make coriander juice.
- Drink the juice every morning on an empty stomach.
- Repeat the treatment for a week to see good results.
4. Fennel Seeds
Fennel tea comes from the crushed fennel seeds of Foeniculum vulgare or fennel herb.
This great variety of tea has excellent medical values. It contains vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. These may help your gastrointestinal and immune system. Fennel tea may enhance the production of bile from your liver and boost your appetite. (7)
An easy way of using fennel seeds to boost appetite:
- Boil 3 cups of water and mix 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds powder in it.
- Remove it from the fire and strain.
- You can add a dash of lemon or honey with the tea and drink it twice a day.
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5. Ginger
Ginger isn’t a great ingredient to flavor your non-veg dishes. It has medicinal properties in it that may boost your taste buds and promote appetite.
You can chew on a piece of ginger for its refreshing flavor and enhance your taste for food. Or, a cup of ginger tea can kick start your day on an appetizing note. (8)
Ginger may work as a natural appetite booster for kids.
How you may use ginger to treat decreased appetite:
- Boil 3 cups of water and mix 2 teaspoons of ginger paste in it.
- Remove it from the fire and strain.
- You may mix a little bit of honey or sugar to sweeten it.
- Drink this tea twice a day to get hungry again.
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6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper or guinea spice is the red-hot chili pepper that you use to spice up your dishes.
But I bet you did not know it has an extraordinary contribution to enhancing your appetite.
Cayenne pepper may trigger the salivary glands to produce saliva and the metabolism of the body. Thus it helps to improve your appetite for food. (9)
How you may use cayenne pepper to boost appetite:
- Spice up your dishes with cayenne pepper and increase your appetite for food.
Also Read: 5 Health Benefits of Banana Peppers and Its Nutritional Value
7. Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint is another natural appetite stimulator. These menthol leaves are a great remedy for digestive disorders as well. (10)
How to use peppermint leaves to curb appetite loss:
- You can chew on a few peppermint leaves or brew them with your tea to get back a raving stomach.
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8. Food That Consists Of Vitamin B
Vitamin B enriched food converts your food into energy. There are B vitamin supplements in the drug store, but you need to consult your doctor to take them.
You can always reach out for specific food items that are a natural store of vitamin B.
The research has shown that a lack of vitamin B in your body can lead to loss of appetite.
Vitamin B is one of the best vitamins for toddlers to increase appetite.
Food that you should eat to increase appetite:
- Intake these vitamin B enriched foods to increase your appetite: Cereals, milk, eggs, meat, fish, etc. (11)
9. Pomegranate
You can resort to delicious pomegranate juice to boost your appetite. This royal-red fruit is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It may rejuvenate your taste buds. (12)
A simple method of using pomegranate to treat appetite loss:
- Mix 2 cups of pomegranate juice with 1 cup of milk and some honey for taste.
- Blend well.
- You can chill the juice in the refrigerator and drink it twice a day.
Some Lifestyle Hacks to Beat Appetite Loss
A lower appetite can be a reason for your unhealthy and undisciplined lifestyle. It’s time you took control of your life and make the best out of it. The very first step to a better life is a healthy body.
So a good appetite for food is your primary concern to hack good health. Below you’ll learn some lifestyle hacks that you should turn into your daily habits.
10. Do Physical Exercise
Light physical exercise may go a long way in stimulating your appetite for food. Physical movements can burn the calories of your body and run the hungry wolfs in your stomach at the end of the day. (13)
Make a habit of regular physical exercise either in the morning or the evening. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk in the park for 30 minutes. You should also eat foods that are high in carbohydrates and proteins.
11. Yoga
The ancient practice of yoga has a psychosomatic effect on your life. This physical and spiritual practice can improve your life.
Yoga can remove stress, anxiety, mental breakdowns and boosting your metabolism. Thus, a daily ritual of yoga in the dawn for 30 minutes may stimulate your desire for food. (14)
Begin with basic yoga lessons such as Surya Namaskar and breathing exercise. These yogic postures will regulate your digestive health and improve appetite. Do these yoga postures every day.
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12. Lead a Disciplined Life
A disciplined lifestyle is utmost essential to have a hungry stomach and eat well. Take control of your life and strike up a routine for your daily activities.
Don’t keep awake till late at night and wake up early in the morning to catch up with all other activities. Cut down on snacking, smoking and consuming tea or coffee. Do not skip the meals and have them in proper time. Lead a life of positive thinking.
13. Avoid Drinking Water Before Meals
Drinking water before and during the meals can affect your appetite. You may fill up your stomach with water and spoil the desire for food.
You may consume water in sips during the meals but not too much of it. Drinking water after finishing meals may help in your digestion process.
The Causes of Appetite Loss or Anorexia
You may have an appetite loss for many reasons. It can be short or long-term syndrome. Let us look at some of the common causes of appetite loss. (3)
- Emotional breakdown
- Mental depression
- Stressful events
- Hormonal imbalance
- Debilitating illnesses(influenza and anorexia nervosa)
- Certain medications (codeine, morphine, cold syrups, antibiotics, etc.)
- Eating disorders
When to Seek Medical Treatment
The above mentioned natural appetite stimulants and a healthy lifestyle may bring back your craving for foods. However, if you notice a massive reduction in weight with no apparent reasons, seek medical help.
A doctor may examine the exact underlying reason for the eating disorder. There are specific medications and treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or poor appetite. The condition can happen due to a viral or bacterial infection as well.
Too much alcohol consumption, stress, and depression may also lead to loss of appetite. A doctor can diagnose the cause and prescribe proper medication.
Traditionally doctors make an ultrasound test of the abdomen, tests of kidney, liver, and x-ray of the stomach, intestines, and esophagus.
It’s always better to be on the safe side and ask for medical attention right away.
Over the Counter Appetite Stimulants
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three OTC medications as appetite stimulants:
These are Dronabinol (Marinol), Oxandrolone (Oxandrin) and Megestrol (Megace)
You need a medical professional to prescribe these medications and describe the appropriate dosage.
Warning: Seek a physicians advice on whether to administer these medications for children. An overdose of these drugs may lead to adverse side effects.
Some other over the counter medications as appetite stimulants that are not approved by the FDA:
Antipsychotics, steroids, antihistamines and seizure medications.
Final Note
When it comes to seizing a healthy living, there is no alternative to eating well.
A lower appetite can be the greatest block to your sound health.
Treatment for a decreased appetite will depend on its cause. If the cause is a bacterial or viral infection, you won’t usually require specific treatment for anorexia, as your appetite will quickly return once your infection is cured.
The lifestyle hacks and natural appetite stimulants discussed may help you solve appetite loss.
Seek a doctor’s help only when you are suffering from bulimia and anorexia and face severe symptoms.
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