American Ginseng To Increase The Appetite

Appetite is a feeling of hunger and the desire to eat to satisfy that hunger. At different times in your life, you may experience a loss of appetite due to emotional or physical conditions. If you have no desire to eat for a prolonged period, you're at an increased risk of malnutrition. American ginseng is an herb that may stimulate the appetite, but it may also cause side effects and interfere with medications you're currently taking. Herbal remedies can't replace the need for professional medical advice, so see your doctor if you've lost your appetite, and use American ginseng only as part of a doctor-recommended treatment plan.

Decreased Appetite

Certain illnesses, including kidney and liver disease, some types of cancers, heart disease, dementia and HIV can result in a decreased appetite, according to MedlinePlus, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Being elderly is another risk factor for loss of appetite, even if other physical disorders are not apparent. First trimester pregnancy may trigger a temporary loss of appetite. Notify your doctor if loss of appetite results in unintentional weight loss.

American Ginseng

American ginseng, or Panax quinquefolium, is a perennial that grows in the eastern part of the United States. The root of the herb has a long medicinal history and contains water-soluble polysaccharides, ginsenosides, polyynes and triterpene saponins. According to the "PDR for Herbal Medicines," these compounds may be responsible for increasing a weak appetite.

Potential Benefits and Drawbacks

Some people use American Ginseng to stimulate appetite, reports MedlinePlus, and it is potentially beneficial for improving digestion and for easing nausea and vomiting. Clinical studies verifying these benefits, however, are lacking. The Food and Drug Administration does not oversee the manufacture of herbal remedies, so no guarantee exists of the safety, quality or purity of the product.

Dosage

Although there is no standard recommended dosage, MedlinePlus mentions two possible dosages, one for blood sugar reduction inType 2 diabetics, which involves taking 3 g of the herb before meals. For the prevention of respiratory tract disorders, the site notes a possible dosage of 200 mg of ginseng extract, taken twice daily. There is no dosage specified for stimulating the appetite, so consult your doctor to determine a dosage that's right for you.

Precautions

While American Ginseng may be safe for most people, there are some concerns. Possible side effects include sleeplessness, itching, diarrhea, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, rash, sore breasts and vaginal bleeding.

Pregnant women and people with diabetes or hormone-sensitive disorders should not take American ginseng, unless directed to do so by their doctors. The herb may interfere with some medications, so talk to your doctor before using American ginseng to increase a poor appetite.