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Do you have a picky eater in your home? Perhaps this story about how a small daily dose of spearmint extract fixed the problem for one Mom might help you too.
While on vacation over the Memorial Day holiday, I had the pleasure of meeting a lady named Marcie from Pennsylvania. Marcie and I really hit it off as she totally gets the Real Food way of life.
One of Marcie’s pre-teen children, Selima, has been a picky eater and struggling with poor appetite over the past couple of years due to some problems with her stomach’s signaling of hunger to the brain. In other words, she really has to be hungry before her brain will tell her it’s time to eat.
What’s more, once Selima does start to eat, she gets full really fast as the signal of satiation is very strong.
For most people, this would be a great problem to have. But, a picky eater in the form of a growing child can be a serious issue as this can hamper proper development and health.
Marcie tried a number of remedies to assist Selima with her poor appetite but none worked very well. Even using cinnamon didn’t work as Selima developed an allergy to it after about one week.
Marcie finally hit on something that worked so well for her picky eater and was so simple, I thought I should write a blog about it. I know that a lot of readers probably have at least one child that is a picky eater and could use a safe, at home remedy to boost appetite for Real Food!
Spearmint Extract for the Picky Eater
Marcie uses spearmint extract (quality source) as an herbal supplement and it is really helping Selima with her appetite and also with gaining weight. Prior to using spearmint extract, Selima’s weight wasn’t even listed on the weight charts for her age and height. She is now near the 10th percentile!
Marcie uses spearmint extract (find it here). It is preferably a glycerin based tincture with a strong potency although alcohol as a base is fine too since such tiny amounts are used.
Only 1/4 tsp in the morning 30 minutes or so before breakfast is all that is required. She initially tried 1/2 tsp in the morning, but found that Selima would get so hungry from that size dosage that her stomach would literally hurt.
Spearmint extract initially suppresses the appetite and then the appetite comes back very strong a few minutes later, so be sure to use it in first thing in the morning so that it works all day, including for breakfast.
Spearmint Extract Won’t Be Much Help for a High Sugar Eating Child
Also note that too much sugar and grains in a child’s diet will also suppress appetite quite effectively, so reducing these types of foods can go a long way toward remedying the situation.
In addition, low thiamine (Vitamin B1) will result in poor appetite as well, so adding some nutritional yeast to popcorn or smoothies may do the trick. Pineapple is also high in thiamine.
If these dietary approaches just don’t seem to work, however, spearmint extract may turn out to be just the ticket for turning your picky or reluctant eater into a Real Food hound!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Hi Sarah, I love your blog! I am curious if I could try to use this method on my 18 month old baby? What do you think?
For a baby that young, I would consult with a specialist first. There could be something else at issue.
would using a pure therapeutic grade essential oil have the same effect?
I personally am not in favor of ingestion of essential oils unless under the care and direction of a physician.
The link to the brand you recommend in the article, is that in a glycerin base so take it as is? or do we need to use that extract and put it in a glycerin base?
I want rise this on myself but if I google spearmint and appetite the only articles I find are for suppressing appetite and weight loss. If it increases the appetite after suppressing I’m not sure all these people are finding it effective for weight loss?
Use as is and as directed on the bottle.
Hi Sarah,
While reading this story I felt like I could have replaced Selima’s name with my son’s. He is almost three and since 3 months has not been on the growth charts. His 10m old brother weighs as much as he does. I have been struggling to find an answer to his weight gain issues but after seeing multiple specialists and finding no answers I’m desperately hoping spearmint might be it.
Do you know what type of doctor/alternative medical specialist diagnosed Selima with “some problems with her stomach’s signaling of hunger to the brain. In other words, she really has to be hungry before her brain will tell her it’s time to eat. What’s more, once Selima does start to eat, she gets full really fast as the signal of satiation is very strong.” I’d like to take my son to that same type of doctor as he exhibits the same type of signs/symptoms.
Thank you so much for your article and the hope it has brought!
This is a great idea! So simple!
I contacted a pharmacy and they said they can make me the spearmint extract in a glycerin base. However, they will use essential oils… can anyone please tell me if this is ok? Thank you very much 🙂
Maria.
it didn’t work.
hi I have found speamint extract alcohol based on eBay .others on the Internet is spearmint oil added to the alcohol.but this one is closest i can find hopefully tiny amount of alcohol is not going to effect little ones .i have ordered last week so should be here any day .see how we go .i will let you if it worked .thankyou
Hi I was wondering if spearmint tea works the same way since I cant find the extract anywhere. thank you
Tea would help but likely not be strong enough. Google spearmint extract .. you may have to buy it online.
Wondering if anyone know if peppermint extract would be the same as spearmint. What is the difference between them when it comes to increasing appetite? My 4 year old could use this for sure, but I can’t find a spearmint extract and have the peppermint one at home. Any thoughts?
This is a wonderful post! I wonder if there is any way to make spearmint extract at home??? I have a spearmint plant that is blooming with LOTS of leaves and wonder what things I can do with the leaves? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I do have to admit I will pick some of the leaves off and chew them just by themselves 🙂 However my picky 2 year old daughter doesnt seem too keen on that idea haha!