The promoted ghrelin secretion and ghrelin signal promotion exerted by rikkunshito may play an important role for effectiveness for (i) anorexia, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, (ii) severe loss of appetite and weight loss due to cancer cachexia and stress-induced hypophagia, and (iii) hypophagia in the elderly. The gene discussed is GHRL; the disease is cancer.