Appetite, to Stimulate

Loss of Appetite is typically seen when the Stomach is obstructed with Phlegm, Damp or Stagnant Food. There will be a loathing of food, nausea, abdominal discomfort and lack of energy. Medicines to warm the Stomach and resolve Phlegm and Damp are used. However, there can be other causes, such as excess Heat, Constipation, Worry, etc.

Phlegm obstructing the Stomach, marked by nausea, poor appetite, a thick tongue coat and other signs of Phlegm indicate either Vomiting or Purging of Phlegm, modifying the Diet to avoid Phlegm-producing Foods, as well as medicines which warm and strengthen the Stomach to improve digestion. If the Phlegm is thick, purging was generally indicated (as it will be vomited with difficulty). Pills of Hiera or Stomach Pills, or the Pills listed below are good examples in such as case. Hiera Picra can also be taken. Often Honey Water or Oxymel will be used to cut and attenuate the Phlegm before purging.

Damp obstructing the Spleen manifests with poor appetite, lethargy, heaviness and poor energy. As Damp is the enemy of the Spleen, a strong Spleen will allow for proper digestion and therefore hinder the increasing of Damp. Conversely, if Damp has progressed, it indicates a degree of Spleen weakness. Therefore, Spleen Qi tonics are usually used along with medicines to clear Damp. The heavy, cloying nature of Damp likewise obstructs movement of Qi, and the obstruction of Qi likewise allows Damp to progress. Therefore, medicines to move Qi are also indicated. Based on the above, warm, aromatic, drying medicines which dry damp, move Qi and warm the Stomach are indicated to fulfil all these indications.

In cases with Food Stagnation, there will be bad breath and a dirty coating on the tongue. In such cases, medicines to clear Food Stagnation or purge excess are used.

If they have a Hot distemper, purging Choler (Bile) is used. After purging, Marmalade of Quince, Syrup of Quince with Syrup of Wormwood, or compounds such as Cooling Pearl Powder, Powder of Three Sandalwood, or Diarrhodon Abbatis may be used.

Aperitif’s (small glasses of bitters) taken before meals stimulates digestion. In cold and Damp diseases, a formulas such as Peptic Powder can be taken before or after meals to promote digestion.

Also commonly used was a herbed Salt, add to food to enhance digestion. An example is Coriander, Aniseeds, Long Pepper, Galangal, and Nutmeg, mixed with an equal proportion of common Salt.

Ayurveda have the Dipaniya group of drugs, those that promote Appetite:

Long Pepper, Long Pepper root, Piper chaba, Plumbago zeylanica root, Ginger, Rumex vesicarius, Black Pepper, Ajowan, Semecarpus anacardium seed, Asafetida

Special Formula