How to Help a Hangover With Herbs
The best way to help a hangover is not to drink too much alcohol. But after a big wedding reception or New Year’s Eve party, many people suffer from this malady. The symptoms of a hangover include headache, upset stomach, extreme thirst, diarrhea, and sometimes, in extreme cases, vomiting. You might experience sensitivity to bright lights and to loud noises as well. Sometimes you just want to crawl under the covers and die. None of it is pleasant and a hangover is sometimes referred to as “flu in a bottle.” When you drink too much alcohol of any kind, your liver goes into overdrive to attempt to filter out the toxins that the alcohol introduces to your system. It takes time for your body to return to normal, but herbs can help.
Things You'll Need
- Water with lemon
- Ginseng root in tea, tincture or capsules
- Milk thistle tablets
- Ginger root
- Dandelion leaf
- Yellow dock root
- Chicory root
Instructions
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After the party, drink lots of water. Two 8-ounce glasses of good water, with a little fresh lemon juice added, can help greatly in flushing the alcohol out of your liver.
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If you know beforehand that you will consuming a large amount of alcohol, you can reduce the chances of a bad hangover by taking ginseng and milk thistle. You can purchase dried root at your natural foods store and simmer them in water for 20 minutes to make a tea. Or take these herbs in tincture or tablet form.
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A tea you make from dandelion leaf and root, yellow dock root, ginger root and chicory root can help to cool and detoxify your liver. Simmer these herbs in water for 20 minutes and then drink one cup of this tea, cooled, several times throughout the day you are suffering from a hangover.
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Eat healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables and whole grains the day after you consume a large amount of alcohol. The addition of some magnesium, in the form of a supplement, can also help. Vitamin B6 has also been used to relieve hangovers.
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If you can force yourself to get some exercise, a brisk walk or short jog can help to get your blood flowing and bring more oxygen to your entire body.
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Tips & Warnings
Know what you’re drinking and know your capacity for that particular kind of alcohol. Five margaritas might not sound like a lot, but if each one contains three full ounces of alcohol, you’re going to be sorry later.
A hangover should only last one day: if it continues longer, a serious medical condition might exist and you should seek medical attention.
If you suffer from frequent hangovers, evaluate your use of alcohol and consider quitting drinking or at least cutting down on your alcohol consumption.
Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.
Never drive a vehicle after drinking alcohol.
The old standby “hair of the dog” cure, where you drink more alcohol such as a Bloody Mary for breakfast the morning after, is not a wise idea and can make you feel worse in the long run.
