Anorexia means loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat. It is a symptom of disturbed digestion and common in all diseases which lead to general weakness. This condition results from failure of the activity of the stomach and secretion of gastric juices due to low vitality which in turn can be due to various causes.

Anorexia must be differentiated from specific food intolerances, a sense of fullness after the ingestion of a small amount of food. Anorexia is a prominent symptom in a wide variety of intestinal and extra intestinal disorders but as an isolated symptom is of less diagnostic value.

Anorexia is commonly seen in diseases of gastrointestinal tract and liver.

For example, it may be a preceding factor in case of jaundice and at the same time it may be a prominent symptom in case of gastric carcinoma.

Anorexia also may be a prominent feature of extra intestinal diseases. Chronic pain from any source may lead to loss of appetite. Anorexia may be profound in severe congestive heart failure and may be a major symptom in patients with uremia, respiratory failure and various endocrinopathies. (E.g. hyperparathyroidism, Addison’s disease etc.)

In patients with cancer, anorexia may result from anxiety, depression, pain, a decreased sense of taste and smell, the effect of tumor on gastrointestinal tract (e.g. partial intestinal obstruction) or liver (metastases), chemotherapeutic agents and possibly the release of an anorectic substance by the tumor.

Causes and symptoms

Persons suffering from anorexia may refuse to eat and suffer from insomnia. In course of time, emaciation becomes severe.

People suffer from anorexia when they habitually take a faulty diet and hardly do any physical work. It may also result from stress and strain such as domestic worry, emotional disturbances, difficult working conditions and nervous disorders. General body disorders and diseases also lead to this condition.

Anorexia is mainly caused by improper eating habits of the person. Many of the persons have faulty dietary habits such as consuming too much of saturated fats, having meals before proper appetite, drinking too much of soft drinks or even carbonated drinks between meals, eating refrigerated foods often etc.

Anorexia can also be caused by some of the disorders of the important organs such as gall bladder, pancreas and the liver. Any defect or dysfunction in these organs will cause the digestive enzymes to secrete insufficiently and can result in anorexia.

Those who are susceptible to frequent intake of fried food items and sweets etc are more afflicted with anorexia because the stomach finds it difficult to digest such food items especially when it is taken in huge quantity.

Medications such as anti-hypertensives, diuretics, digitalis and narcotic analgesics also cause anorexia.

Finally, anorexia also often accompanies psychogenic disturbances such as depression and may result from emotional upset, boredom or exposure to unpleasant sights, odors or thoughts.

Diet and other measures

The only effective treatment for anorexia is a thorough cleansing of the digestive tract and adoption of a sensible diet thereafter along with a change in the lifestyle.

One should adopt a restricted diet of easily digestible foods consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits and buttermilk for about ten days.

Herbs useful in treating anorexia

There are various herbs mentioned in the texts of Ayurveda in treating anorexia. These herbs are good appetizer and stimulants of digestion. And one can overcome anorexia by following proper diet along with the herbs.

The commonly used herbs that we use in our daily life to promote appetite are ginger, cardamom, pepper, cumin seeds, fennel seeds etc. these are found in our kitchen and they are greatly beneficial in improving the appetite. The lemon balm, peppermint and fenugreek seeds are also found useful in treating loss of appetite.

Sometimes, treatment of anorexia depends on the causative factor. Accordingly the herbs are prescribed.

Herbal pack for anorexia

• Digestion support – 2 capsules twice daily

• Agnitundi vati – 2 tablets twice daily before meals

• Yakritplihantak churna – 1 teaspoon twice daily before meals