Herbal Supplements

Having a hangover is one good reason for singing the pledge. You do not need advice as to shy you gave a hangover but remember next time you drink alcohol to take more water with it so as to avoid dehydration. Any drink pleasantly diluted will give you the impression of enjoying yourself without the ghastly after-effects. Drink white wine well dispersed with sparkling mineral or soda water and avoid red, brown and temptingly tawny drinks. Saccharine in mixers will speed up the absorption rate of alcohol by the body and the quinine in tonic water can make you feel very depressed, more so than gin alone. People who smoke feel worse the next day but people who do not smoke appear to drink more!

Alcohol in excess causes dehydration because it acts as a diuretic and it also creates acidity. We try to counteract this with antacids whereas, in reality, a ‘hair of the dog’ or a large glass of unsweetened orange or grapefruit juice is of greater assistance especially if it also injects a jolt of oxygen to the poor battered brain and soothes the stomach.

A word of comfort to those who suffer: it is rumoured that only the truly healthy feel the agonies of a hangover. There are many good and practical reasons why this should be so but nevertheless I find it a necessary consolation in my hour of need.

Preventative Measures

A bowl of plain, live yoghurt will arrest internal putrefaction, have antibiotic properties which restore normal internal equilibrium and avert a hangover. It is certainly more pleasant to take a bowl of yoghurt prior to celobrating than a coffeecup of olive oil which I believe works admirably but which I have never had the courage to try.

‘Cures’ to Avoid

• Coffee do not dring coffee as it is a diuretic and beyond the initial stimulus will make you feel terrible.

• Aspirin Do not take this as it irritates the stomach.

• Opium or bryony Do not resort to these old-fashioned favourites for they will give you a hangover of a quite different quality

Home Remedies for Hangover

Have a good breakfast of yoghurt and honey well sprinkled with wheatgerm or oats or dry rye toast and orange fuice. Orange juice replaces the vitamin C lost during your revelries and is even better if drunk with sparkling mineral water. Other good drinks include warm milk and honey, cold milk and carbonated mineral water, barley water, a pot of weak tea with 3 cloves brewed in it, peppermint tea and warm water with lemon juice or vinegar.

• Yoghurt or porridge  Either will help considerably in settling the stomach and are preferable to black bread soaked in water, roast onions and snails, although onion soup does restore the equilibrium provided it is eaten after drinking but before sleeping.

• Honey This encourages the body to rid itself of alcohol and also tops up the blood sugar level which will help you wake up and feel human.

• Oil of evening primrose Several capsules taken first thing in the morning will make the world look a rosier place.

• Peppermint Try a few drops of peppermint cordial or oil of peppermint taken in hot water.

Home Remedies

• Buck’s Fizz  Mix together lots of bubbly champagne and orange juice – 3 parts champagne to 1 of orange juice.

• Black Velvet  A mixture of equal quantities of Guinness and champagne. Lager will also revive with its vitamins and fizz.

• Bloody Mary Combine one part vodka to 2 parts tomato juice with a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a spoonsul of grated horseradish for sheer shock. One of the good home remedies for hangover.

• Port winning combinations include 1 part dark rum to 2 parts port and 1 part brandy to 2 parts port.

• Prairie Oyster This is a mixture of raw egg yolk, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, chilli powder, vinegar and salt. If you can stomach it you are already on the road to recovery.

Herbs | Vitamins and Minerals | Natural Skin Care

-- Men Health | Women Health --

About us | Links | Sitemap (1, 2) | Health Articles |

Nutritional Supplements | Hair Loss | Weight Loss| Home Remedies

Your Online Health Guide to Herbal Supplements, Home Remedies and Alternative Medicine