Hangover remedies that will help relieve the pain!

Let’s face it; most people around this time of year tend to go overboard with alcohol consumption. Even if you don’t drink, the chances are that you know someone who does. So you can save their day with these body nourishing remedies. And no, ‘Hair of the dog’ does not apply. Below is a list of my fave hangover remedies with the Miso soup being my fave ;)

If you absolutely must, then a Bloody Mary is your best bet. Serious Eats has a pretty authentic recipe.

In denial? Drinking more alcohol delays the hangover, and statistically speaking, those who choose this remedy are more likely to be alcoholics.

Adam Rogers, who wrote Proof: the Science of Booze, argues that the hangover is the symptom of tiny amounts of methanol. He said, “The notion is if a hangover is methanol toxicity, you’re going to have another drink and the ethanol displaces the methanol off the enzyme, and you will feel better…That’s the hypothesis, and no one has proved that.”

The liver detoxifies alcohol in the system and does so at only one rate, which is about one drink per hour. Please do not drive when you wake up. The chances are that you are still drunk. Use this drunk calculator for a general guideline or get this Morning After App.

Here are some of the best hangover remedies I have researched, and some friends swear by.

#1. Ginger Citrus Tea: The King of Hangover Remedies!

In general, every fridge should contain fresh ginger. There are myriad benefits. It is a tried and tested treatment for nausea and seasickness, considered one of the best home remedies. Ginger quickly aids in the digestion of alcohol and soothes the stomach.

 Quick Ginger Citrus Tea Recipe

-Boil 10 to 12 slices of fresh ginger root in 4 cups of water for ten minutes.
-Add the juice of one orange, 1/2 lemon and a 1/4 to1/2 cup of honey (depending on your sweet tooth).

This will help stabilize blood sugar levels after alcohol consumption. Get real fancy by adding a quarter teaspoon of Tumeric and a dash of pepper which boosts the absorption of curcumin. It’s worth taking a moment to learn the benefits of Tumeric. This ginger citrus tea is an excellent remedy for the common cold and is used worldwide. I recommend Chai ya Tangawizi (Kenyan ginger tea), which is soothing for any occasion.

#2 Tomatoes are your friends 

Tomato juice contains fructose, which helps your body metabolize alcohol faster. It quickly hydrates the body.  The versatile tomato is an effective remedy for a hangover as it is a good source of vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, and the antioxidant lycopene, which has a plethora of benefits.

Eating a can of tomatoes seems to nourish the body quickly. Add a splash of lemon or lime for additional benefits. Lime relieves queasiness, dizziness, and light and sound sensitivity. In which case, prepare two teaspoons of lime water, one teaspoon of honey, and 1/2 cup of water. An overall good morning drink.

It’s all about stabilizing the blood sugar!

#3 Honey – Raw unpasteurized is the best

Honey is the most available home remedies. The naturally occurring fructose can neutralize the harmful effects of alcohol. It competes with the metabolism of alcohol. Honey helps with digestion making it easier to get food down.

Tip: take 3-4 teaspoons of honey in an interval of an hour helps in digesting alcohol.

-Make a ‘hot-toddy’ (minus the booze) with honey. Boil one cup of water, add honey and lemon juice. Enjoy this several times throughout the day.

# 4 Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is a herb that relaxes the intestines. It is also a carminative (flatulence reliever), which is a substance that removes accumulated gas from the stomach and intestines. I recommend checking out 50+ amazing peppermint oil uses and benefits from Tips Bulletin, which includes an easy DIY sore muscle rub recipe.

# 5  The Sauerkraut or Cabbage Soup Cure (Ask any Russian!)

Many Eastern European countries such as Lithuania, Austria, and the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that cabbage had healing powers. They would eat a lot of cabbage before drinking, as this would allow them to drink more alcohol without feeling the side effects. For additional benefits, eat a banana to replace the potassium lost while drinking. Before throwing that peel away, learn what it can be used for.

“Eating raw cabbage helps treat headaches and disturbance in the nerves caused due to a hangover. Cabbage juice, together with tomato juice works wonders as it reduces the craving for alcohol and also helps in metabolism,” suggests Dr.Shreejit, an Ayurvedic Doctor.

 Lithuanian Cabbage Soup  via  TheSpruce posted a great  recipe

#6 Miso Soup

Miso Soup is delicious and revitalizing. This fermented broth is made from miso soybean paste that is full of nutrients, enzymes, and probiotic cultures. It’s a Japanese folk remedy that is fast and easy to make. Here is an authentic recipe to get you back on track.  If you have miso paste, add hot water for a quick elixir. Miso soup is also a healthy drink whenever you need a little energy boost.

Avoid Hangover Remedies; Be Responsible

I don’t mean to sound preachy but I must bring up the awareness of alcohol abuse. Please share the hangover remedies you swear by but respect your loved ones. And most of all your body by drinking in moderation. I have lost a few friends due to alcohol abuse. They were, without doubt, an alcoholic. They all had one thing in common; an amazing capacity for self-denial finding every excuse to protect their addiction.

Do’s and Don’ts of Drinking

• Eat before drinking; never take alcohol on an empty stomach.
• Alternate between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic beverage like water.
• Choose clear alcohol, such as white wine, vodka, or gin. Dark alcohol causes more intense hangovers due to the presence of congeners (a substance in alcohol attributed to headaches).
• Skip the sweets and sugary foods during or after you drink.  Sugar will get you drunk fast!
• Mixing Carbonated drinks with alcohol speed up alcohol absorption.
• Hydrate 24 hours in advance. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.

If you are planning on taking a trip soon, check out my essential apothecary guide —keep healthy while traveling.

“I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it.” ∼Rodney Dangerfield