Advertisement

Natural Hangover Cures

Hangovers are caused by dehydration coupled with chemicals in alcohol. David Stelfox, Naturopath and senior lecturer at Endeavour College of Natural Health shares his top natural hangover remedies this party season:


1) Drink water:

An oldie but a goodie. Alcohol dehydrates the body which can cause vomiting, dizziness and nausea. Drink a couple of glasses of water before you go to bed and alternate water with every alcoholic drink to replace lost fluid. You’ll wake up happier and healthier, guaranteed.


2) Eat carbohydrates high in sugar:

Alcohol lowers your blood sugar level—replenish stocks by eating lots of fresh fruits and fruit juices.


3) Eat eggs:

Eggs are an effective hangover cure as they contain cysteine which helps break down acetaldehyde (one of the toxins that cause hangovers).


4) Drink ginger tea:

Ginger is known for its anti-nausea benefits. It helps detox the liver. To help your hangover, brew tea with lots of fresh ginger.


5) Say no to coffee!

Coffee can make a hangover worse as it contains diuretic and causes dehydration.


6) Include Tamarind Pulp:

Tamarind is a traditional hangover remedy throughout parts of Asia, India and Sri Lanka. It enhances liver function, helps regulate blood sugar levels, has strong anti-oxidant properties and helps to replace electrolytes.


7) Take vitamins B & C:

Taking vitamin B on a daily basis has been shown to help your system rehydrate. B vitamins are also critical to help the liver to break down alcohol and remove it from our system.

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can help to minimise the side-effects of heavy alcohol consumption.


8) Honey in hot water:

Honey is a concentrated form of fructose. Drinking honey in hot water will replace the sugar lost from alcohol.


9) Take Dandelion Root or St Mary’s Thistle:

These herbal remedies come in tablet form and need to be taken the day before, the morning of, and the day after drinking alcohol. They improve the liver’s capacity to cope with toxins.


10) Don't drink too much:

You’ve heard it before, but the best way to wake up feeling fresh is not to drink too much.


Click the image below for five hangover-busting smoothie recipes

Shutterstock


RELATED:

Three Steps to a Healthy Cocktail
Three Best Hangover Fighters