Poor appetite can be a sign of a physical or mental disorder, such as anorexia, cancer and depression. Depending on your age, gender and activity level, your body requires a certain number of calories each day to maintain proper functioning. Herbs known as bitters have a long history of acting as appetite stimulants. Before using herbs to increase your appetite, see your health-care practitioner to be sure you don't have an underlying disease.
Herbal Actions
Herbal bitters work on your digestive system. They contain bitter-tasting chemicals, such as iridoids and terpenes. When these chemicals come into contact with your taste buds, they increase saliva and stimulate bile flow, thus promoting appetite and aiding digestion. You must be able to taste the bitter chemical for it to work, so capsules may not be effective. Teas, beverages and tinctures are more useful as appetite stimulants. Consult a qualified herb specialist for directions about the dosage, preparation and long-term use of bitter herbs.
Wormwood
Wormwood, or Artemisia absinthum, is a perennial herb and traditional remedy for poor appetite and stomach complaints. The leafy parts are rich in bitter compounds and essential oil, such as absinthin and artabsin and alpha-thujone, and the plant is a bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory and digestive. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink suggest using wormwood tea before eating to stimulate appetite. You can also use extracts and tinctures, but consult a knowledgeable herbalist for advice about safety and dosage. In large doses over a long period, thujone can cause seizures and muscular damage.
Burdock
Burdock, or Arctium lappa, is a robust herb with purple bristle-headed flowers. Traditional healers use the roots to treat gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, wounds and insect bites. Active ingredients include essential oil, inulin, triterpenes and a bitter chemicals, in particular arctiopicrin. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann states that burdock is also used for anorexia nervosa, and that its bitter chemicals stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, aiding digestion and appetite. Do not use this herb is you have allergies to members of the aster family.
Balmony
Balmony, or Chelone glabra, is a small herb with white or pink flowers that resemble a turtle's head, hence one of its common names: turtlehead. The plant is rich in resins and bitters, and herbalists use the aerial parts to treat liver problems, gallstones, colic and hemorrhoids. Herbalist David Hoffmann recommends balmony tea and tincture as a tonic for your digestive system. It stimulates appetite by increasing the flow of digestive juices, which also has a natural laxative effect, making balmony useful for treating the constipation that often accompanies appetite loss. Do not combine this herb with liver medications or other laxatives.
References
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
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