INTRODUCTION

Appetite literally means a desire to eat. We all have different appetites that vary according to our body type, our food habits and our health status. A healthy body depends upon a healthy appetite that can provide the body with ample food to sustain health and wellbeing.

Very often, this appetite is greatly affected and most often reduced in case of diseased conditions. Such a condition is known as anorexia.

There are many physical, mental and psychological factors that affect the psyche of a person. They may include a serious illness, any trauma, any emotional upheaval or mental depression.

Whatever be the cause, the condition needs to be managed as per the underlying cause to prevent its adverse effects on the worsening health condition.

ANOREXIA AS PER AYURVEDA

According to Ayurveda, Anorexia is a condition that involves a loss of appetite. It occurs due to vitiation of the Kapha (Phlegm) and the vata (Air) doshas. It mainly involves a vitiated rasa dhatu (Lymph) that is responsible for the suppression of appetite.

The vitiated body energies causes a suppression of the digestive fire which results in the blockage of the food channels that carry out the normal digestion process. Anorexia also affects the taste buds resulting in an altered sensation of taste.

CAUSES OF THE DISEASE AS PER AYURVEDA

PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS:-

These include factors like Tridosha prakopa, involving the vitiated three body energies namely, vata, pitta and kapha. This may be a result of an imbalance in the diet and lifestyle of the person.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS:-

These include, mental stress, fear, anger, and greed, food that is not according to the taste, specific smell and shape. All these factors result in the development of anorexia or loss of appetite.

DISEASES THAT RESULT IN A LOSS OF APPETITE

  1. Cancers like colon, ovarian, stomach and pancreatic.
  2. Chronic Liver Disease
  3. Chronic kidney failure
  4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  5. Heart failure
  6. Hepatitis
  7. Hypothyroidism
  8. Dementia
  9. Pregnancy
  10. Drugs like chemotherapeutic drugs, antibiotics, morphine etc.

TYPES OF ANOREXIA (ARUCHI) ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

There are five types of Aruchi or anorexia as per the involved body energy and are as follows:-

  1. Vataja Anorexia – The condition that involves a vitiation of the vata body energy.
  2. Pittaja Anorexia – In this, Pitta or the fire element of the body is vitiated.
  3. Kaphaja Anorexia – It involves a vitiated phlegm.
  4. Sannipataja Anorexia – There is vitiation of all the three types of body energies.
  5. Aagantuja or Anorexia Due to External Factors – It involves all the mental traumatic conditions that affect the psyche of the person and reduce his appetite.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA (REDUCED APPETITE) BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda provides effective herbal remedies like Chitrakadi Vati, Hakam Churna, Digestion Support & Sanjeevani Vati for ayurvedic treatment of anorexia nervosa (reduced appetite). The preparation of these remedies is done by using the best quality herbs and strictly following the principles of Ayurveda. These remedies are absolutely pure, natural and 100% vegetarian. They are without any chemicals, additives and preservatives and are free from any side effects.

1. CHITRAKADI VATI

It is a traditional ayurvedic medicine that stimulates the digestive fire to improve the lymphatic and kapha doshas that cause anorexia in people.

The herbal combination has Chitraka (Plumbago Zeylanica), combination of salts such as yavakshara, sarjikshara etc. It also has appetite stimulating herbs like ajmoda (Apium graveolens), pippali, chavya, shunthi and maricha.

It is great to digest the ama accumulated in the body and improve the digestive fire which in turn improves the appetite.

2. HAKAM CHURNA

This herbal supplement of Planet Ayurveda is prepared by using 4 different pure herbs. Ingredients used are Chandershoor (Lipidium sativum), Methi (Fenugreek), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and kalonji (Nigella sativa).

3. DIGESTION SUPPORT

Digestion support capsules is a unique formulation from the house of Planet Ayurveda which aims to rectify any kind of vitiated dosha involved in the development of anorexia.

It is also very helpful for the treatment of a faulty digestion and an inability to recognize flavors and tastes, a condition that commonly develops due to excessive phlegm in the body. The herbal combination has Fennel, Coriander, Pippali, Zeeraka and the three myrobalans namely Amla, Haritaki and Vibhitaki.

4. SANJIVANI VATI

Sanjivani vati is a blend of many herbs that are natural liver stimulant. These effectively manage the process of digestion and improve appetite by acting as a natural balancing agent for the physiological and psychological factors affecting the process of digestion.

Sanjivani vati is a great herbal tablet that has been tested time and again for its effectiveness in managing the rasa dhatu related disorders (lymphatic disorders).