Evidence supporting the use of: Tea (unspecified)
For the health condition: Appetite (deficient)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Tea, in its various forms (such as green, black, oolong, and herbal teas), has a long-standing traditional use in multiple cultures for supporting digestion and stimulating appetite, particularly when appetite is deficient. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), specific teas—such as Pu-erh and certain herbal blends—are often recommended to help "invigorate the spleen" and promote appetite, especially after illness or in cases of digestive sluggishness. Similarly, in some South Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, tea is consumed after meals or during times of convalescence to gently stimulate hunger and aid in food intake.

However, the scientific evidence supporting the use of tea for increasing appetite is limited. While tea (especially caffeinated varieties) may provide a mild stimulatory effect due to caffeine, research does not robustly support a direct appetite-enhancing effect. In fact, some studies suggest that caffeine might suppress appetite temporarily. Nevertheless, anecdotal and historical reports persist, and some people find that the ritual and warmth of tea can help prepare the digestive system for eating or make meals more enjoyable, which might indirectly support appetite in certain individuals.

In summary, the use of tea to support or treat deficient appetite is grounded primarily in tradition, with only minimal scientific support. The overall evidence is modest and context-dependent, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.

More about Tea (unspecified)
More about Appetite (deficient)

Other ingredients used for Appetite (deficient)

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
acid protease
allspice
apricot
ashwagandha
bamboo
barberry
basil
beet
myrobalan
betel
black cumin
black pepper
radish
bovine liver
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
carrot
cassia bark
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
citrus oil
clove
dandelion
dog rose
fennel
fenugreek
fu ling
garlic bulb
gentian root
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
onion
HCL
horseradish
Indian gum arabic tree
iron
quassia
jujube
l-tryptophan
lemon
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
lovage
mango
marshmallow
milk
mint
orange
oregano
oregon grape
papain
parsley
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pineapple
platycodon root
plum fruit
pollen
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
pumpkin
rhizome
rosemary
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
triphala
vitamin B
watercress
zinc
chickweed
catnip
oryza
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
swertia
blessed thistle
boxthorne
bile salt
prickly ash
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
flowering quince
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
caraway
aster root
yerba mate
peach
goji berry
hypothalamus
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herbal blend (proprietary)
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Alcohol
Avens
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Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
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Agrimony
Amomum
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Agarwood
Asam gelugor
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Arrowroot
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Asteracea
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
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Atractylone
Animal protein
Buttermilk
Butter
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
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boldo
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Baccharoides anthelmintica
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black salt
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Borassus aethiopum
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Cinnamaldehyde
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cola nut
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Fig
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Vinegar
Wheat
Wormseed
yohimbine
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Products containing Tea (unspecified)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.