Loss of appetite is commonly seen in children. Pharmacological agents, such as cyproheptadine, used to treat loss of appetite are associated with numerous adverse effects.

An herbal formulation containing Caper Bush and Chicory was evaluated for its role in managing loss of appetite in children.  A study was conducted by Bhattacharya et al in a Pediatrics outpatient department among children with loss of appetite of at least one month duration. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination, hematological examination and liver function tests. The herbal formulation was administered for a period of 12 weeks. Children were examined every fortnight for three months.

In all, 67 children completed the study. Most of the children had a significant improvement in their appetite score. Most children reported improvement in nausea by study end. Weight loss, evident in 60 children at study entry, was found in merely five children at 12 weeks and this change was significant. There was improvement in fatigue as well. There was significant increase in hemoglobin and serum proteins and a significant drop in eosinophil count by the end of the study. There were no adverse effects with the use of the formulation.

This herbal formulation thus seems to have a potential role in improving appetite in children and is safe to use.

Source: Bhattacharya SS, Patki PS, Mitra SK. Clinical Evaluation and safety of Liv.52 Drops in the management of loss of appetite in children: A subset analysis. Antiseptic 2008;105(3):139-41.