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Herbs for Health and Healing: Appetite Loss

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Appetite Loss

Losing your appetite once in a while is no big deal. A few days of low appetite when you have a flu or fever is not a cause for concern. At such times, it is all right to give yourself a rest from eating so that your body can focus its energies on fighting the illness. And when you feel down emotionally you may not be in the mood to eat much—this is also okay and generally is not something to worry about. But if your appetite loss continues for more than a week or if it happens for no apparent reason, you should make efforts to figure out why you aren't interested in eating. If your problem is due to a simple illness, an herbal appetite stimulant should have your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling in no time at all. But if you lose your appetite as a result of a more serious condition, the underlying problem must be addressed. This will probably require professional help.

Have you ever noticed how the enticing smell of pizza or an herb bread baking in the oven sets your stomach grumbling? The aromas that make foods smell and taste so good also help your digestion even before you take the first bite! The aroma signals the brain, which relays a message to the digestive tract that food is on its way. The digestive tract responds by producing digestive fluids, even though the food hasn't hit your mouth yet. You can stimulate your appetite in a similar fashion, by making an aromatic tea of anise or peppermint.

If a long illness leaves you feeling weak and you are unable to digest solid foods, try making Slippery Elm Gruel (see below). This nutritive herbal food will be easily digested by your ailing digestive tract. Slippery elm powder comes from the bark of the slippery elm tree. (Since populations of these trees are dwindling, be sure to insist on slippery elm that has been properly harvested. Careless harvesting results in peeling off so much bark that the tree dies.)

To further spice up your appetite, add a dash of cinnamon. Finally, for people who have been weakened by diarrhea or a debilitating disease, the Chinese suggest astragalus, and Western herbalists use prickly ash to strengthen the digestion tract and improve the appetite.

Appetite Stimulant Tea

1 teaspoon, fresh, grated or dried ginger root

2 cups water

¼ teaspoon each peppermint leaf, anise seed and cinnamon

1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Simmer ginger in water a few minutes, then remove from heat. Add other ingredients, cover and steep for about 20 minutes, then strain. Drink 1 or 2 cups as needed.

Slippery Elm Gruel

¼ cup slippery elm bark powder

½ teaspoon powdered cinnamon

2 cups cold water

½ -1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Stir powders into cold water in a pan and let sit for about 30 minutes. Slowly heat this mixture for 5 minutes, gently stirring to prevent clumping. Let cool, add sweetener if desired and serve warm or cool.

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