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Health

Appetite-reducing herbs

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Often, folk medicine methods are used to combat excess body weight along with dietary changes. Herbs that reduce appetite contribute to a positive result at a non-critical stage of obesity, in the absence of genetic and hormonal pathology.

Excess weight is optimally affected by folk remedies: this happens due to the coating of the stomach walls, which creates a feeling of satiety, as well as the acceleration of the general metabolism. As a result, a person experiences hunger less often and eats less food. Medicinal herbs are an excellent proven way to significantly reduce cravings for food.

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Herbs to reduce appetite

Before we discuss what medicinal herbs there are to reduce appetite, we should highlight several options for their effect on the body:

  • mucus-forming herbs - coat the stomach walls, thereby reducing the production of gastric juice, which helps reduce appetite;
  • filling herbs - under the influence of liquids, such herbs deceive the stomach, creating the illusion of satiety;
  • herbs that speed up metabolism - they increase the basal metabolic rate and metabolic processes, improve fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

Reducing your appetite with the help of medicinal herbs is quite effective, and your digestive and urinary systems may also improve, your liver function may be activated, and your general condition may improve.

Medicinal herbs can be purchased at a pharmacy, from herbalist grandmothers at the market, or collected and dried independently - the main thing is to collect them away from busy highways and roads.

Here is a short list of the most common herbs for appetite suppression:

  • flax - the seeds of this original Slavic plant have enveloping properties; swelling in the stomach, they signal the brain about the intake of a large amount of food, due to which the feeling of hunger recedes; you can make a decoction from the seeds, or simply chew a teaspoon of seeds, washing down with a glass of clean water;
  • bearberry - the leaves of the plant have a cleansing effect, eliminate the craving for stressful food intake, relieve swelling and calm nervous tension; to prepare an infusion, a dessert spoon of bearberry leaves is poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water, infused for 6-7 hours and taken a third of a glass several times a day;
  • hawthorn - strengthens the body, improves metabolism; brew a dessert spoon of hawthorn flowers in a glass of boiling water, leave for 25 minutes, drink half a glass of this tea three times a day some time before meals;
  • Burdock (burdock) is a good diuretic and body-strengthening medicine; a teaspoon of raw material should be poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused for 24 hours, taken little by little throughout the day;
  • rose hips - the fruits contain many vitamins and minerals, nourish and saturate the body with all the necessary elements; 20 grams of crushed fruits are steamed with a glass of boiling water and infused until completely cooled, you should drink a cup of this infusion three times a day;
  • fennel or dill - the seeds of these plants are used to get rid of hunger; a tablespoon of seeds is brewed in a glass of boiling water, infused for one hour and taken ¼ glass three times a day;
  • parsley – perfectly restores strength and promotes a feeling of satiety; can be used in the form of a decoction, or simply chew fresh leaves from time to time;
  • Corn silk is perhaps the most effective remedy for reducing appetite, restores mineral balance, stabilizes blood sugar levels; pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of raw material, leave until cool, take 1/3 of a cup three times a day half an hour before meals.

It is important to remember that all medicinal herbs are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women to take without first consulting a doctor: you risk harming yourself and your baby.

Herbs to reduce appetite in children

Unfortunately, many people believe that a child's excessive appetite is quite normal, and to some extent even an indicator of his health. Some parents are simply touched by such children. However, what can await this child in the future? A tendency to gain weight, constant overeating, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and much more.

Uncontrolled appetite in a child is a reason to consult a pediatrician, because the cause of this condition may be helminthic infestations or diseases of the digestive system.

To combat excessive appetite in children, the following herbs can be used:

  • buckthorn - brew a dessert spoon of ground bark with a glass of boiling water, leave for 25 minutes, consume in the evening;
  • licorice - brew a dessert spoon of ground raw material in a glass of boiling water and heat over low heat for about 15 minutes; cool first, strain and, adding boiled water to a full mug, take several times a day;
  • linden - infuse a tablespoon of linden blossom for 20 minutes in a quarter liter of boiling water, strain before taking;
  • rose hips - brew 4 tablespoons of crushed rose hips in a liter of boiling water, leave until completely cool;
  • oregano – brew 2 tablespoons in 200 ml of boiling water, take 15 minutes before meals;
  • knotweed - pour one liter of boiling water over a glass of raw material and leave for two hours.

The dosage of infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs for children should be agreed with the doctor, depending on the weight and age of the child. For small children, the concentration of the infusion should be minimal.

Herbs containing natural bitters should not be given to children, as this may further increase their appetite.

Herbs that suppress appetite

Folk recipes used to reduce appetite are quite varied. However, some herbs that suppress appetite are often present in our homes, although we do not know about it. For example:

  • green tea - contains caffeine, theophylline, theanine, theobromine, which calm the nervous system, reduce appetite, and provide a quick feeling of satiety; adding milk to green tea significantly enhances the effect;
  • valerian - valerian roots contain essential oils, isovaleric acid, alcohols, esters of various acids, alkaloids, glycosides, resins, organic acids, which determine the combined effect of valerian; suppresses appetite centers in the hypothalamus, which leads to a decrease in hunger and appetite;
  • Hibiscus tea (red tea, hibiscus) is a source of antioxidants, vitamins and organic compounds, cleanses the blood of toxic substances; you should drink freshly brewed tea before or instead of meals to reduce your appetite;
  • Pu-erh tea (pu-erh) – promotes weight loss by influencing the processes of digestion and metabolism, significantly reduces appetite, removes harmful substances from the body.

It turns out that in order to eat less, you need to drink more! Naturally, all teas, infusions and decoctions should not contain sugar, since glucose, getting into the blood, helps to increase appetite.

Herbal collection to reduce appetite

Some herbs have a more pronounced effect when combined with each other in a certain way. You can combine herbs to reduce appetite yourself, or use ready-made recipes:

  • Mix equal amounts of birch leaves, strawberries, meadowsweet, St. John's wort and lemon balm, pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture with half a liter of boiling water; after it has completely cooled, strain and take ½ cup three times a day half an hour before meals;
  • take two parts of mint leaves and buckthorn bark and one part of dill seeds and dandelion roots; brew a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour and drink shortly before bed;
  • take equal amounts of mint leaves, chamomile flowers, yarrow herb, blueberry leaves, lingonberries and currant twigs, rowan berries; put in a thermos and pour boiling water at the rate of 5 tablespoons per 0.5 liters of boiling water, wait 3 hours and drink half a glass shortly before meals;
  • Mix equal amounts of yarrow, St. John's wort and licorice root, steep 2 tablespoons in half a liter mug of boiling water, leave for half an hour and take 1 glass three times a day.

Medicinal herbal mixtures contain many useful herbs that complement each other, making their effect on the body even more effective.

Reviews of herbs for appetite suppression

To determine the degree of effectiveness of herbs and mixtures, we analyzed reviews of herbs for appetite reduction.

The best rating was given to a decoction of corn silk: in addition to its ability to reduce appetite and suppress the feeling of hunger, it also has a calming effect, lifts the mood, normalizes sleep and metabolic processes, both in young and mature age.

Flax seeds have also earned a good reputation: thanks to omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, a quick feeling of satiety comes, the intestines begin to function properly, the body gets rid of toxins. This effect is achieved even when consuming 20-25 g per day. Thanks to flax seeds, the level of glucose in the blood stabilizes, and weight is noticeably reduced.

The use of valerian root, as everyone knows, has a calming effect. However, in addition to this, valerian preparations also suppress the feeling of hunger, cope with excessive appetite, and help calmly survive the restriction and lack of food.

Well, another worthy leader of the rating is green tea. Its antioxidant and fat-burning properties have been appreciated by many experts. Internet users especially highlight the effectiveness of green tea in reducing appetite in combination with milk or jasmine.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that the fight against excess weight and obesity should be comprehensive. You should take care of your diet, increase physical activity, and master the correct drinking regime. Herbs that reduce appetite will only help you achieve your goal and get as close as possible to the intended result.

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