Do you feel hungry but don’t want to eat? Are you too skinny, to the point that your rib cage can be seen? You could be suffering from a psychological condition known as anorexia. The medical term of this disorder is Anorexia nervosa. It is advised to seek immediate medical help. At the same time, you can try using some simple home remedies. These can help spur your appetite and help you to begin eating healthy.
Causes of Anorexia:
While psychologists and doctors are still unaware of the causes of anorexia, they agree that factors like genetics, social pressures, hormonal imbalances, family pressure and several other psychological factors can lead to anorexia.
Both men and women can be a victim of anorexia. Women are more prone to this condition, especially young women in their teens and 20s. Young women are extremely conscious about their looks and body; this can lead to anorexia.
Traumatic and stressful life situations, such as abuse, rape and change of job can result in this condition. Even emotional stress right before or during puberty can cause some people to become anorexic.
The strong urge to lose weight, regardless of whether the person really needs to lose weight, paves the way for anorexia. Usually the affected person never realizes that he or she is anorexic.
Symptoms of Anorexia:
Some of the signs of anorexia are as follows:
If you have these signs, you could be suffering from anorexia. You certainly need medical help. Do make use of these suggested home remedies too in conjunction.
Top Home Remedies for Anorexia:
It is important to remember that most anorexics deny having a problem. For home remedies to actually be effective or for that matter any treatment to work, you would first have to acknowledge that you have an eating disorder. There is nothing to be ashamed of, as you are not alone. There are many people across the world with anorexia and many have successfully overcome this disorder.
The purpose of most remedies for treating anorexia at home is to spur your appetite, get the stomach to produce more gastric juices and to encourage better digestion. Some of the remedies also help anorexics to cope with accompanying depression and mood swings.
1. Garlic:
Garlic is known to stimulate the digestive system, helping to boost your appetite. Boil five to six cloves of garlic in some water and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink this soup every day. It will help stimulate your appetite.
2. Orange Juice:
This home remedy for anorexia is used throughout the world. Mix some orange juice in a glass of lukewarm water. Consume one glass every 2 hours. It will increase the production of gastric juices in your stomach.
3. Carrot Juice:
Mix fresh carrot juice in a glass of lukewarm water and consume every 2 hours. This works just like orange juice. Usually people who cannot digest orange juice should try this home remedy.
4. Apples:
This is an excellent home remedy for anorexia, as it helps boost your appetite. Consume an apple and follow it up with a glass of milk that has been sweetened with a spoon of honey.
5. Black Pepper and Honey:
Take about five peppercorns and grind them to a paste with honey. Eat this paste every day in the morning before eating or drinking anything else.
6. Lime and Ginger:
Lime and ginger work together to build up your appetite and get you attracted to food. Mix equal quantities of lime juice and ginger juice. Add a little bit of rock salt and place the mixture in the sun for three days. Cover it with a muslin cloth to prevent dust and dirt from going in. Consume one teaspoon of this mixture every day before your meals. It will help to enhance your appetite and also aid your digestion.
7. Sour Grapes:
Extract the juice of sour grapes and add them to flour to make dough for bread. Bake the bread and consume it for a minimum of 15 days to overcome your eating disorder.
8. Cloves and Lime:
Boil water, and add 3 cloves and about half teaspoon of lemon juice. Allow the water to cool down. Strain and drink this liquid. You should drink this liquid every day for at least a week. It will help boost your cravings for food.
9. Soups:
Vegetable and chicken soups are known to enhance the appetite. Consume these soups as appetizers. When consuming vegetable soup, add a bit of rock salt and black pepper. You can do the same with chicken soup as well.
10. Fennel:
Fennel seeds are known to promote digestion and whet the appetite. Infuse about 20 g of fennel seeds in a glass of warm water. Allow it to steep for 20 minutes. Drink the infusion before your meals. You should be looking to drink about two glasses of this infusion every day.
11. Watercress:
Make a salad and add watercress to it. Consume the salad 10 minutes before your meals. Watercress contains nutrients, such as zinc, which stimulate your gastrointestinal mucosa to produce more gastric juices, spurring your appetite.
12. Coriander Seeds:
Even if you have no appetite and are badly anorexic, this home remedy will help you regain your cravings for food. Infuse coriander seeds in warm water and allow them to steep for about 30 minutes. Strain and consume it just before your meals.
13. Juniper Berries:
The high zinc content in juniper berries helps to increase the appetite, stimulates the production of gastric juices and also aids digestion. Take 50 g of dried juniper berries and grind them in a liter of dry white wine. Store for 2 weeks and consume one glass of the berry-infused wine just before your meals.
14. Cinnamon:
In Asian medicine, cinnamon is used to whet the appetite and increase the production of gastric juices. Take a spoonful of cinnamon bark and add it to a liter of water. Stir well. If you do not have the bark, you can use powdered cinnamon as well. Drink two glasses of this water every day, about 30 minutes before meals.
15. Parsley:
Parsley helps to increase your appetite. It also helps you to get rid of flatulence. Infuse fresh parsley leaves in warm water. Allow them to steep for 30 minutes and then strain. Drink this infusion about 30 minutes before your meals.
16. Tomatoes:
The acidity in tomatoes causes your digestive tract to secrete more gastric juices, which in turn, increase your appetite. You should consume raw tomatoes copiously to overcome anorexia.
17. Tarragon:
During late spring and summer, tarragon is widely available. You can also get dried tarragon throughout the year. Use tarragon in salads to help boost your appetite. You can add it to soups to enhance their flavor.
18. Warm Water:
Water helps in cleansing out your digestive tract; it helps you to feel hungry. Consume warm water the first thing in the morning to cleanse out your digestive system and get rid of the toxins that have accumulated in it. This will help you feel hungry and create the desire to eat. This is how to treat anorexia at home quite easily.
19. Mint:
This herb is used in Asian cuisines as an appetizer. Extract the juice from mint leaves, about two teaspoons and consume it in the morning. A few days after starting this home remedy for anorexia, you will notice a significant difference in your eating habits. You will feel hungry and want to eat food.
20. Asafetida:
This is an age old remedy for anorexia and has been around for centuries. Mix a pinch of asafetida in a spoon of clarified butter (ghee). Consume it every day. This anorexia home remedy will help to boost your appetite.
21. Chamomile Tea:
Most anorexics have frayed nerves and are constantly moody and anxious. In order to eat, you need to relax yourself. One of the best ways to do it is by consuming a soothing and relaxing cup of chamomile tea. Once you are relaxed and in a better frame of mind, you would be more open to starting the home remedies to treat your eating disorder.
22. Pineapple:
This is a great home remedy for treating anorexia at home and quite simple to follow. Just consume fresh pineapple every day in the morning. It will help you feel hungry throughout the day and create an urge to eat.
23. Almonds:
As an anorexic, you would have to cope with emotional ups and downs and lack of focus. You can alleviate these two problems by consuming almonds. Soak a handful of almonds overnight in water. The following day, remove the skin and consume them. You can make a paste of the soaked almonds with butter and sandalwood. Use this mixture in the form of an inhaler to boost your brain cell activity.
24. Saint John’s Wort:
As an anorexic, anxiety and depression are your best friends. If you want to cure yourself, you would have to get rid of these problems. Saint John’s wort can help you with it. Consume this herb to alleviate your depression and anxiety. You can get it in the form of a tincture. Take this three times a day.
25. Fenugreek Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds can help with your anorexia. They can also boost your hemoglobin levels. These seeds are rich in protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. They can boost the production of gastric juices, which increase your craving for food. Soak fenugreek seeds in boiling water. Allow it to steep till the water cools down. Strain and consume this tea every day.
Diet for Anorexia:
If you are anorexic, you would be highly underweight and also suffer from nutritional deficiencies. You should consume a nutritious diet that is protein-rich to help rebuild your muscles and bones.
Your diet should be low in calories. Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. These fiber-rich foods will boost your digestion and enhance your metabolism. You should also make eggs, pulses, legumes and chicken a part of your daily diet to get adequate amounts of protein. You can get your carbohydrate needs fulfilled through whole grains, rice and oats.
Consulting a Doctor:
Anorexic patients require counseling and psychotherapy. It is extremely important to get your condition diagnosed by a qualified doctor and then follow the steps recommended by the doctor.
In addition, you will require a lot of support from your loved ones. It is easy to have a relapse if you do not get adequate support from your loved ones. Also, speak to a nutritionist to help you create an ideal diet plan. This will help you regain your muscle tone and strength.
You should not take laxatives and enemas under any circumstances. They will aggravate your condition and could lead to a relapse. If you want to do so, first speak to your doctor.
The key is to find out what caused your anorexia and then try to eliminate the cause through proper medical treatment. While home remedies for anorexia can be used in conjunction with the medications prescribed by the doctor, make sure you keep your doctor informed. He or she should know what remedies you are using in case they have a counter effect on the medications prescribed.
Remember, if your body weight is less than 30 percent of what it should be, the doctor may suggest hospitalization. Do not fight it, as it is for your own good. You will be thankful for it later on.Most home remedies suggested here help stimulate the appetite and create an urge to eat. Use these remedies judiciously and prudently, and you should be able to overcome your anorexia quite easily.
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