A poor appetite is not likely to cause any life-threatening situation but it can certainly leave you under-nourished and consequently, tired and irritable. If left untreated this lack of nourishment can cause your immune system to weaken and may also lead to dehydration. Therefore, it is vital to tackle a poor appetite and to do this, you need to know what is causing it. While there can be several causes of poor appetite, the most common one is problems with digestion.

The main cause of poor appetite can be lack of digestion power. It can be also due to anxiety, stress, and depression. Here are few helpful tips which will help to improve your appetite.

1. Ginger

Ginger is the most common ingredient that is easily available in kitchen. It contains gingerol oil which is excellent in for digestion & stimulating appetite.

Uses-

  • Home-made Ginger paste can be used in cooking.
  • Ginger can be added in tea it will add benefits along with refreshing flavor.
  • Take one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of finely chopped ginger and add a pinch of rock salt (also known as sendha namak) to it. Consume it half an hour prior to meals every day for eight to ten days to improve your appetite.

2. Black pepper

 Black pepper is a hot, pungent spice with a host of health benefits. The characteristics taste of black pepper is due to  piperine. Black pepper helps to improve digestion, increase appetite and treat gastrointestinal problems. It also relieves stomach and intestinal gas.It helps to increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which result in improved digestion.  

Uses-

  • You can sprinkle black pepper powder while cooking in your food.

Combine one tablespoon of jaggery powder and one-half teaspoon of ground black pepper. Consume this regularly for 8-10 days.

Do not use this black pepper remedy if you have stomach ulcers or have had abdominal surgery.

3. Amla

Amla is also known as Indian goose berry. This sour fruit is not only rich in vitamin C but also rich in calcium & iron which helps to balance stomach acid, boost immune system & improves mineral absorption.

Uses-

  • Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before a meal improves appetite.
  • You can also take this tangy and refreshing fruit in the form of pickle.
  • Put one tablespoon Indian gooseberry powder in a cup of water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, add two teaspoons of lemon juice and a pinch of ground black pepper to it. Drink it regularly on an empty stomach for a 1 month.

4. Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is a delicious and refreshing way to boost your health. It is a herb that works wonders on appetite, indigestion & helps to boost immune system. Peppermint tea soothes the muscles of your tummy and improves the flow of bile, which is used to digest fats. This makes way for the smooth functioning of our digestive system, and the digestive gas is allowed to pass through more effectively. So, no more indigestion troubles

Uses-

  • You can include a cup of peppermint tea every day.

5. Dandelion Root

Dandelion root is known to promote digestion and regulate appetite. It works as a mild diuretic as well.

Uses-

  • Prepare dandelion root tea by boiling powdered dandelion root in a cup of water for about five minutes. You can also add a cinnamon stick. Strain the tea. You may sweeten it with honey if you like before drinking it.

6. Fruits

  • Certain fruits are known to stimulate hunger and these include grapes, apples and black berries. Most of these fruits contain constituents that help to improve digestion and thus, they help to improve appetite.

Often, a poor appetite may be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. People who lead a very sedentary life and those who smoke heavily are likely to have appetite problems and it is important to tackle these issues for any meaningful results. However, if these don’t apply in your case and even after trying the remedies mentioned here for about a month or so, if you still find that there is no improvement in your appetite, it is good to consult a doctor.

In some people who are on regular medication for some health condition, the drugs they are taking may be responsible for the loss of appetite. If such is the case, the doctor should be able to provide some guidance on how to overcome this problem.