Anorexia
People who intentionally starve themselves into an emaciated state yet remain convinced that they are overweight are suffering from a condition known as anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia rarely begins in people who are older than 40 years of age. It most commonly appears in the teenage years, affecting up to 3 in 100 adolescents. Although anorexia seldom emerges before puberty, associated mental conditions, such as depression and obsessive-compulsive behavior, are usually more severe when it does. The onset of anorexia is often preceded by a traumatic or stressful event and it is usually accompanied by other emotional difficulties.

While the following appetite stimulants have not been studied for the treatment of anorexia nervosa, they have been used in certain traditional healing systems to stimulate appetite and may be recommended as a complementary therapy by an herbal specialist:

Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
Blessed thistle herb (Cnicus benedictus)
Gentian root (Gentiana lutea)
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum)
Dandelion herb and root (Taraxacum officinale)

In cases of significant weight loss where the muscles begin to deteriorate, some herbalists may recommend fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) may be used to relax the nerves and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) may be used to treat depression associated with anorexia.