13 Hangover Cures That Really Work
Pop A Probiotic
“Alcohol can cause an imbalance of our delicate gut flora and damage to the gut lining. Research shows drinking in excess causes our gut microbes to release toxins and increase the alcohol-loving microbes, which in turn drive us to drink more. Your gut microbes also play a vital role in how quickly your body breaks down alcohol, which is why nourishing your gut flora can aid a hangover and reduce inflammation. Probiotics have been shown to prevent alcohol-induced changes to the gut microflora and harmful inflammation to the liver. Take a multi-strain probiotic, such as Bio-Kult Advanced, before you go out drinking.” – Claire Barnes, nutritional therapist at Bio-Kult
Eat More Oysters
“The enzymes involved in the body’s breakdown of alcohol rely on zinc, and a deficiency of this important mineral could contribute to a sorer head the day after drinking. Good sources of zinc include organic and grass-fed meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish (especially oysters), nuts, seeds and eggs. Legumes – like lentils and chickpeas – also contain zinc, but in a less bioavailable form, so it’s best to soak these before eating to increase absorption.” – Claire
Stock Up On Milk Thistle
“Milk thistle is an excellent herb to have to hand. Studies show it can contribute to the liver’s detoxifying potential and relieve symptoms of overindulgence. Milk thistle contains antioxidants which are needed by the liver when breaking down alcohol and rich food, helping to restore the balance. Try taking it before you head out for the evening, the morning after, or both.” – Corin Sadler, nutritionist at Higher Nature
Drink For Your Dosha
“According to Ayurveda, balance is everything – and it’s achieved by harmonising the three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. The doshas are essentially ‘health types’ used to specify how you should eat, sleep and exercise. The typical pitta is busy, high-achieving, with a medium build and feels the cold – they should avoid fermented drinks as these can increase heat in the body, something pitta already has a lot of. Instead, they can try more ‘cooling’ vodka made from wheat or potatoes. The typical vata, meanwhile, is creative, energetic, slender-framed and enthusiastic. They’re better off avoiding carbonated drinks, and instead choosing red or white wine. Lastly, kapha is the dosha the rest of us wish we all had a little more of: cool, calm and collected with a steady temperament. They should opt for an occasional glass of red wine, as kapha’s slow digestion benefits from a little heat in the form of red wine and the astringency can help dry up excess moisture in the body.” – Sara Herandi, Ayurvedic expert & founder of Deja
Bathe In Citrus Oils
“An Epsom or Himalayan salt bath will work wonders to absorb toxins from the body when you’ve overindulged with alcohol. Go the extra step and add a few drops of sweet orange or lemongrass essential oils to your bath, both of which will improve sluggishness which is caused by an overworked liver.” – Emilie de Block, founder of Bio Scents
Use Peppermint To Ease Nausea
“Peppermint oil is an amazing natural remedy for nausea when it’s inhaled, as well as a miracle cure for headaches. Simply bring a bottle of peppermint oil to your nose and inhale deeply, but never for longer than five minutes an hour. By inhaling essential oils, the vapours go through the olfactory nerve and directly to your limbic system, where they have the desired effect.” – Emilie
Try An Ancient Remedy
“In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), overconsumption of alcohol causes an excess of heat in the body, resulting in headaches and nausea. To prevent a hangover, TCM advocates a glass or two of pear juice before drinking alcohol. This centuries-old remedy is said to have strong anti-inflammatory properties which stimulate the liver, enhancing detoxification. You can also try drinking an extra strong cup of black tea with one heaped spoonful of brown sugar after drinking, before bed. The acidity of black tea and the sweet, warming properties of brown sugar will stimulate liver and stomach function to release alcohol from your system. If caffeine keeps you awake, fresh ginger tea with lemon and brown sugar will have a similar effect.” – Emilia Herting, TCM practitioner & co-founder of Escapada Health
Load Up On B Vitamins
“Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning we end up urinating more frequently and in larger amounts, leading to dehydration and the increased loss of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B, which is involved in alcohol metabolism. Consider taking a B vitamin complex before bed and the morning after, and eat plenty of vitamin B-rich foods – think eggs, shellfish, seeds, salmon, trout and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.” – Mike Stewart, registered nutritionist at Get A Drip
Settle A Sore Head With Acupressure
“Suffering with a temple-thumping hangover headache? There’s a pressure point on your hand, in the fleshy area between your finger and thumb which can help. In TCM, this spot is the gate to the large intestine, and applying pressure to it can help with headaches as well as aid constipation, which can sometimes accompany a hangover. To locate it, rest your left hand on a table and make an L-shape with your index finger and thumb. With your opposite thumb, apply pressure and massage between the web of your thumb and index finger, in small circular motions. Apply pressure for ten to 20 seconds at a time, on each hand.” – Emilia
Rebalance The Body With Vinegar
“If you can stomach it, a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed in water can help. This is because ACV can help restore the body’s pH level, which becomes more acidic after drinking alcohol. ACV also has a diuretic effect that can help with morning-after fluid retention and is great at restoring blood sugar, which can be all over the place after a night of drinking.” – Dr Ross Perry, GP & medical director of Cosmedics
Make Your Own Rehydration Sachets
“When you’re hungover, your body is lacking sodium and sugar, so try adding one tablespoon of salt, one tablespoon of sugar and the juice of a lemon to a glass of water. This will help replace both sodium and glycogen levels while the citrus will help detoxify. Try one of these in the morning and another later in the day.” – Abbas Kanani, medical advisor & superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click
Look To Mushrooms
“Mushrooms have long been praised for their healing properties. Reishi, in particular, can aid sleep and reduce anxiety – take before hitting the pillow for the best results. Polyporus mushrooms can also help – taking them as a supplement (look out for mico-polypor on the label) can aid detoxification. I rate Hifas Da Terra’s Mico-Polypor supplement, which can make you feel better quickly after drinking.” – Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, nutritionist & chartered psychologist
Stock Up On Turmeric & Ginger
“Turmeric is a super-spice but it’s lesser-known for its benefits in relieving hangover symptoms. As a natural anti-inflammatory, it can help with digestive issues and reduce levels of acetaldehyde, the primary hangover-causing toxin. It can also boost serotonin levels, which may flag when you’re hungover. Sprinkle it on a bowl of soup or add to curries, stir fries, casseroles and rice dishes. Ginger is also worth a try if you are feeling nauseous. Heat a pot of boiling water, add one to two teaspoons of ginger powder, half a lemon and two teaspoons of honey. Drinking lemon water throughout the day post-drinking can also relieve dizziness, headaches and nausea.” – Sara
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For more information visit Deja.Life, Bio-Kult.com, HigherNature.com, Bio-Scents.com, EscapadaHealth.com, GetADrip.com, Cosmedics.co.uk, ChemistClick.co.uk and follow @DrNaomiB.
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