Best Ways to Cure a Hangover
How to Feel Better After You've Had Too Much to Drink
From queasy stomachs to throbbing headaches, a hangover isn't nearly as much fun as the party which caused it. Here's a few conventional and wacky ideas to overcome it.
Whether it’s due to beers with the buddies or Tequila shots with grandma, many of us have experienced how formidable alcohol can be come morning, particularly during holiday seasons when the cocktails are flowing and self-control is waning thin. Here are ten hangover remedies for the times you forget prevention is better than the cure.
Bloody Mary
Although it sounds like fighting fire with fire, many hangover veterans swear by it. Apparently, the blend of vitamin-rich tomato juice, alcohol and Tabasco works wonders for the dreaded headache. Better yet, go for the virgin version which has all the benefits minus the vodka.
My big, fat breakfast
Indulging in an enormous greasy breakfast is often a favourite weekend tradition, hung-over or not. These morning feasts usually comprise of sausages, fried eggs and bacon, mushrooms, tomato, beans and toast if you’re British and pancakes with whipped cream and fruit toppings if you’re American. Wash it down with orange juice, which is great for replenishing hydration and Vitamin C levels, but try to avoid coffee as it does the opposite.
Burnt toast
After drinking toasts to just about everything the night before, some slices of plain toast could help with your headache the morning after, but avoid putting jam or butter on them. If you burn the toast, even better – at least the dreadful taste will take your mind off the hangover for a while.
Water
This is the simplest, cheapest and most medically sound hangover remedy. If you can, down two pints (water – not beer) before you fall asleep. Otherwise, start guzzling before you even crawl out of bed. Re-hydration is the key to hangover recovery. Try putting lemon in your water as it is theoretically stomach-soothing and will at the very least add vitamin C. Sport drinks such as Gatorade are good for hydration too.
Headache pills
Over-the-counter painkillers such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen can help ease the headache, but they can be very dangerous when mixed with the alcohol in your system. Take the pills in the morning, not before going to bed when the alcohol is still prominent in your system.
El Lemon
In Puerto Rico, the locals allegedly cure hangovers by rubbing half a lemon under their drinking arm. This is also a traditional top holistic cure for headaches in general. Keep in mind ladies – this would be highly painful after shaving.
From Russia with love
“Rassol” is the preferred hangover treatment in Russia, which is fundamentally salty water that has been used to boil cabbage. Apparently it’s very healthy, though the taste may trigger the gag reflex you spent all night trying to squelch. Opt for a salty soup made with bouillon or Ramen Noodles.
Ginger Tea
The Chinese tackle hangovers with stomach-settling ginger which has been used as a remedy for nausea (including morning sickness) for centuries. You can buy ginger tea in most supermarkets or health food shops, though it’s just as easy (and tastier) to make it yourself. Boil freshly chopped ginger for 20 minutes then strain it into a mug, add honey and a slice of lemon and drink it down hot – great for a common cold too.
Sweaty Scandinavians
Saunas are popular in Finland where the landscape during much of the year resembles the inside of a freezer. As such, many Finns are said to take long, hot sauna session to help steam the hangover away. If you haven’t got access to a sauna, try doing something physical to produce a good sweat before taking a hot, steamy shower.
Sleep
Sleep is one of the best things you can do to relieve a hangover, so if you’re planning a big night out try and coincide it with a lazy next day in which you can sleep in or take a long nap in the middle.
