Pediatric Anorexia
Anorexia in children is primarily characterized by prolonged lack of interest in food, poor appetite, or even refusal to eat. The underlying causes include spleen and stomach weakness, irregular diet, improper feeding, disharmony between spleen and stomach, and impaired transformation and transportation functions. Commonly used clinical formulas and folk remedies are listed below.
[Formula One]
Godfrey’s fungus (Shen Qu) 10–15g, rice in appropriate amount. First crush Shen Qu, decoct to extract juice, remove residue, add rice, and cook into porridge.
This formula applies to anorexia caused by impaired spleen function.
[Formula Two]
Rice 500g, half a large pumpkin (or 2–3 pounds), appropriate amount of brown sugar. Wash rice, add water and boil until 7–8% cooked, then filter out. Peel pumpkin, remove seeds, cut into chunks, stir-fry with oil and salt, then pour filtered rice on top and steam slowly until fully cooked. Adding brown sugar during steaming enhances flavor.
This formula applies to anorexia caused by impaired spleen function.
[Formula Three]
Stir-fried pot bottom ash (slightly scorched) 120g, lotus seed 120g. Remove lotus seed hearts, steam until soft, dry, mix with pot bottom ash, grind into fine powder. Take 3–5 scoops each time, mix with sugar, stir with warm water, and consume three times daily.
Regular consumption of this formula can enhance appetite.
[Formula Four]
North Chinese sand参 15g, Jade Bamboo 15g, Lily 15g, Chinese yam 15g, lean pork 500–1000g. Clean pork, cut into pieces, combine with herbs, and stew until tender. Drink soup, eat meat and herbs.
This formula applies to poor appetite due to gastric yin deficiency.
[Formula Five]
Fresh Dendrobium 12g, Jade Bamboo 9g, North Chinese sand参 15g, Ophiopogon 12g, Chinese yam 10g, sugarcane juice 250ml. Boil first five ingredients to extract juice, mix with sugarcane juice, stir well, and drink as tea.
This formula applies to pediatric anorexia caused by gastric yin deficiency.
[Formula Six]
Fresh Ophiopogon 500g, white honey in appropriate amount. Crush fresh Ophiopogon to extract juice, mix with white honey, heat gently over water until syrup-like. Take 2–3 spoonfuls each time, dissolve in warm wine or plain water before consuming.
This formula applies to anorexia due to qi deficiency in children.
[Formula Seven]
Roasted cowpea, ginseng, jade bamboo, gardenia, plum, equal parts, appropriate amount of sugar. Boil all herbs together until beans are soft, strain juice, add sugar, and drink.
This formula applies to anorexia caused by spleen and stomach weakness.
[Formula Eight]
Silk bean 500g, appropriate amount of brown sugar. Soak silk beans in water, remove shells, dry in sun, grind into powder (or make paste, filter, then dry). Take 30–60g each time, mix with brown sugar, stir into hot water, and consume.
This formula applies to anorexia caused by weak spleen and stomach function, poor digestion, and inability to eat.
[Formula Nine]
Leek seed 9g, flour in appropriate amount. Grind leek seed into powder, mix evenly with flour, shape into pancakes, steam until cooked, divide into three portions daily, take continuously for 3–5 days.
This formula applies to poor appetite accompanied by spontaneous sweating, pale complexion, and poor skin condition in children.<Pediatric Anorexia>