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10 natural hangover cures

10 Natural Remedies to Prevent & Heal Hangovers

by Susan Smith Jones, PhD ©

Prevention is always the key, but when those dreadful hangovers come for a visit, try these natural remedies recommended by world-renowned natural living expert, Susan Smith Jones, PhD, author of 20 books, including her bestselling 3-book healthy eating and living series published by Hay House The Healing Power of NatureFoods, Health Bliss and just released in full color Recipes for Health Bliss: Using NatureFoods & Lifestyle Choices to Rejuvenate Your Body & Life. www.SusanSmithJones.com • www.SusansRemedies.com

Alcohol can act as a depressant or lead to aggressive behaviour and have you waking up with a painful hangover which can include sensitivity to noise and light, a throbbing headache, upset stomach, achy muscles, nausea, and a host of other uncomfortable conditions. Here are 10 suggestions that really work for cures and prevention. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

1. Drink like a fish: Drinking alcohol is very dehydrating to the body; it literally dries you out. Don’t forget to water your brain both before and after too much drinking. Your brain is mostly water and after too much alcohol, it gets very thirsty. Most often those nasty headaches after a night of drinking is your brain’s cry for water. I also recommend drinking lemon balm tea; it’s delicious and will help assuage your headache and lift your sagging spirits. Use 2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves (or 1 tea bag) in a cup of boiling water. Steep, cool, and strain the herbs and enjoy. To calm your stomach, ginger tea is always a winner. Use a tea bag or simply take an inch of fresh ginger root, slice it thinly and simmer it in water for 10 minutes and drink up. I start each day with freshly made ginger water simply as a healthy start for my digestive system and the day.

2. Lemon juice to the rescue: A little lemon squeezed or sliced into a glass of water or ginger ale helps prevent and quell a hangover. Drink a glass before bed and first thing the next morning.

3. Turn to turmeric: The bright orange-yellow spice, native to southern India and cultivated for more than 5,000 years, is known to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, making it as effective as anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis (especially rheumatoid arthritis), and without unpleasant side effects. But it’s also a wonderful remedy for hangovers, too. It helps mop up the acid residue of the alcohol, prevents nausea, relieves nausea, detoxifies the liver, and can even help put you in a better mood. Take it in capsule form, liquid extract or sprinkle the spice on your beans, pasta, casseroles, or other high carb foods.

4. Eat some lean protein: Protein helps your brain cells regenerate. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Like vitamins and minerals, they can also be depleted by use of alcohol. Replenishing amino acids plays a key role in repairing the ravages of a hangover. You can add a protein powder to your juice or smoothie. Other good foods picks include dark, leafy greens, fish like salmon, eggs, a slice or two of cooked turkey breast, tofu and even beans.

5. Diminish hangover time with thyme: Brew up some tea with thyme leaves and enjoy it with a drop of honey. Thyme helps soothe tense and tired muscles, and can help with any stomach troubles that often accompany a hangover. To increase the hangover remedy potency, combine thyme, ginger and peppermint teas and add in a cinnamon stick.

6. Find some fennel: Throw a few fennel seeds into a hot cup of any kind of tea you enjoy. Fennel is a restorative herb, and can help bring your liver back into working order. For example, make some peppermint-ginger tea and include a few fennel seeds. This will calm a queasy stomach, perk up your mood, and revitalise your liver.

7. Dine with evening primrose oil: Evening Primrose Oil has long been used as a natural hangover remedy since it can help reduce stomach and liver discomfort. Since the liver is working overtime during the hangover period, this herb can help make the process that much more efficient. It ‘s readily available in natural food stores in capsule form.

8. B-complex will uncomplicate a hangover: Make sure to include a B-complex in your nutritional arsenal. Drinking drains the body of these valuable vitamins. Research shows your system turns to B vitamins when it is under stress—and overtaxing the body with too much booze, beer, or wine definitely qualifies as stress. Replenishing your body with a B-complex vitamin capsule can help shorten the duration of your hangover.

9. Blend together a banana smoothie: The morning after, make a smoothie in your blender using a combination of your favourite liquid base (juice, milk, or tea), two ripe bananas (fresh or frozen), a handful of strawberries or blueberries (fresh or frozen), a dash of cinnamon, 3-4 leaves of romaine lettuce or a handful of baby leaf spinach (you won’t even taste the leafy greens) and the optional sweetener of your choice. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

10. Reduce acidity with an alkaline juice: If you have a juicer, make a fresh juice combining greens like spinach, celery, lettuce, and parsley, with some carrot and apple for sweetener, and some fresh ginger root and lemon for give it more zing. If you don’t have a juicer, most health food stores carry fresh juices.

Getting over the night before – naturally

By Susan Smith Jones, PhD ©

Alcohol can act as a depressant or lead to aggressive behaviour and have you waking up with a painful hangover which can include sensitivity to noise and light, a throbbing headache, upset stomach, achy muscles, nausea, and a host of other uncomfortable conditions. Here are 10 suggestions that really work for cures and prevention. And of course the best cure is to go easy on the Chardonnay next time!

1. Drink like a fish: Drinking alcohol is very dehydrating to the body; it literally dries you out. Don’t forget to water your brain both before and after too much drinking. Your brain is mostly water and after too much alcohol, it gets very thirsty. Most often those nasty headaches after a night of drinking is your brain’s cry for water. I also recommend drinking lemon balm tea; it’s delicious and will help ease your headache and lift your sagging spirits. Use 2 teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves (or 1 tea bag) in a cup of boiling water. Steep, cool, and strain the herbs and enjoy. To calm your stomach, ginger tea is always a winner. Use a tea bag or simply take an inch of fresh ginger root, slice it thinly and simmer it in water for 10 minutes and drink up. I start each day with freshly made ginger water simply as a healthy start for my digestive system and the day.