7 Effective Home Remedies (Supported by Science)

Written by Stephanie Watson

• Water
• Korean Pear Juice
• Ginseng
• Phyllanthus Amarus
• Carbs
• Pain Relievers
• ‘Hair of the Dog’
• Sleep
• More

If you’ve ever had a few too many drinks on a night out, you know what the next morning can bring. The nausea, headache, parched mouth, and fatigue are telltale signs you’ve got a serious hangover.

Each of these symptoms stems from a different cause. Alcohol disrupts sleep and leaves you groggy in the morning. Drinking widens your blood vessels, which can trigger headaches. Alcohol also irritates the lining of your stomach, leading to nausea and sometimes diarrhea.

For almost as long as humans have had hangovers, we’ve tried to cure them with remedies that run the gamut from vitamin B to pickle juice. Some hangover treatments work better than others, but none is an actual cure. The only way to avoid a hangover is to limit how much you drink or avoid alcohol entirely. And if you find that hangovers are affecting your work or relationships, talk to your doctor about your drinking.

That said, a few hangover remedies can bring you relief from at least some of your symptoms. Here are a few tips to try.

A big glass of water might be the easiest hangover solution. Alcohol dehydrates you by increasing the amount of urine your kidneys make. You also lose fluid when you sweat, vomit, or have diarrhea after a night of bingeing. Dehydration causes symptoms like a dry mouth and headache.

If you drink alcohol, drink water before you go to bed. It will curb the effects of the booze in the morning. Another drink of water when you wake up will help keep you hydrated. Have a sports drink to replace the sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes you’ve lost from vomiting or diarrhea.

Some people say that getting fluids through an IV can help ease hangover symptoms. This method has the informal name of “drip bar.” It can be pricey, and health insurance doesn’t cover the bill. But there’s no need to pay for IV fluids when you can drink a glass of water for free. IVs also carry risks like infection.

Korean pear (Asian pear) juice is an old-school hangover remedy. Research shows that drinking about 7 1/2 ounces helps lower blood alcohol levels and makes hangovers less intense. The catch is, you need to drink it before you have alcohol. Drinking it afterward won’t work.

Researchers say Korean pears might work with your body’s chemistry to break down alcohol faster. Only a couple of studies have been done, which is far from proof that this hangover remedy works. But if you can find Korean pear juice at your local supermarket, it doesn’t hurt to try a glass before you go out drinking.

This root has been a feature of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Herbalists use it to treat ailments ranging from stress to asthma. In one small study, a drink made from red ginseng cut down hangover symptoms.

An unrelated herb that goes by a similar name, Siberian ginseng extract, also improved hangover symptoms like headache, dizziness, and stomachache. But the Siberian type isn’t the ginseng used in Chinese medicine.

Ginseng is safe for most people. Check with your doctor before using it if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Some evidence suggests it might affect blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

This medicinal herb grows along tropical coasts. It treats liver, kidney, and stomach ailments. In one small study, taking Phyllanthus amarus extract twice a day for 10 days helped lower blood alcohol levels, ease hangover symptoms, and improve mood in regular drinkers.

You can find extracts made from this herb online and in health food stores. Some of these products go by the name “stone breaker” herb. That’s because it may help reduce risk for kidney stones.

Alcohol lowers your blood sugar. That may explain the dizziness and shaking some people get with a hangover. Your brain needs carbs for fuel. Have a couple of slices of wheat toast or a few whole-grain crackers to bring those blood sugar levels back up to normal. You’ll give yourself an energy boost, too.

An over-the-counter pain reliever will calm a pounding headache. Just be careful how much you take. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin irritate the stomach, which could make nausea worse. Avoid acetaminophen when you have a hangover. It can worsen the bad effects of alcohol on your liver.

The idea behind this popular hangover remedy is that taking another drink will relieve the effects of the last few you had. The name comes from an old folk tale that says the way to treat a dog bite is to cover the wound with hair taken from the dog that bit you.

But the truth is drinking again will just throw your body back into the same destructive cycle without giving it time to heal. Experts don’t recommend trying this method.

When it comes to getting over a hangover, time and rest may be the best medicine. Alcohol disrupts sleep. Even if you go to sleep for a few hours after a night of heavy drinking, it won’t be restful. Once you’ve had a glass of water and popped a pain reliever, slip back under the covers and catch up on more restorative sleep.

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7 Effective Home Remedies (Supported by Science)

Written by Stephanie Watson

• Water
• Korean Pear Juice
• Ginseng
• Phyllanthus Amarus
• Carbs
• Pain Relievers
• ‘Hair of the Dog’
• Sleep
• More

If you’ve ever had a few too many drinks on a night out, you know what the next morning can bring. The nausea, headache, parched mouth, and fatigue are telltale signs you’ve got a serious hangover.

Each of these symptoms stems from a different cause. Alcohol disrupts sleep and leaves you groggy in the morning. Drinking widens your blood vessels, which can trigger headaches. Alcohol also irritates the lining of your stomach, leading to nausea and sometimes diarrhea.

For almost as long as humans have had hangovers, we’ve tried to cure them with remedies that run the gamut from vitamin B to pickle juice. Some hangover treatments work better than others, but none is an actual cure. The only way to avoid a hangover is to limit how much you drink or avoid alcohol entirely. And if you find that hangovers are affecting your work or relationships, talk to your doctor about your drinking.

That said, a few hangover remedies can bring you relief from at least some of your symptoms. Here are a few tips to try.

A big glass of water might be the easiest hangover solution. Alcohol dehydrates you by increasing the amount of urine your kidneys make. You also lose fluid when you sweat, vomit, or have diarrhea after a night of bingeing. Dehydration causes symptoms like a dry mouth and headache.

If you drink alcohol, drink water before you go to bed. It will curb the effects of the booze in the morning. Another drink of water when you wake up will help keep you hydrated. Have a sports drink to replace the sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes you’ve lost from vomiting or diarrhea.

Some people say that getting fluids through an IV can help ease hangover symptoms. This method has the informal name of “drip bar.” It can be pricey, and health insurance doesn’t cover the bill. But there’s no need to pay for IV fluids when you can drink a glass of water for free. IVs also carry risks like infection.

Korean pear (Asian pear) juice is an old-school hangover remedy. Research shows that drinking about 7 1/2 ounces helps lower blood alcohol levels and makes hangovers less intense. The catch is, you need to drink it before you have alcohol. Drinking it afterward won’t work.

Researchers say Korean pears might work with your body’s chemistry to break down alcohol faster. Only a couple of studies have been done, which is far from proof that this hangover remedy works. But if you can find Korean pear juice at your local supermarket, it doesn’t hurt to try a glass before you go out drinking.

This root has been a feature of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Herbalists use it to treat ailments ranging from stress to asthma. In one small study, a drink made from red ginseng cut down hangover symptoms.

An unrelated herb that goes by a similar name, Siberian ginseng extract, also improved hangover symptoms like headache, dizziness, and stomachache. But the Siberian type isn’t the ginseng used in Chinese medicine.

Ginseng is safe for most people. Check with your doctor before using it if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Some evidence suggests it might affect blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

This medicinal herb grows along tropical coasts. It treats liver, kidney, and stomach ailments. In one small study, taking Phyllanthus amarus extract twice a day for 10 days helped lower blood alcohol levels, ease hangover symptoms, and improve mood in regular drinkers.

You can find extracts made from this herb online and in health food stores. Some of these products go by the name “stone breaker” herb. That’s because it may help reduce risk for kidney stones.

Alcohol lowers your blood sugar. That may explain the dizziness and shaking some people get with a hangover. Your brain needs carbs for fuel. Have a couple of slices of wheat toast or a few whole-grain crackers to bring those blood sugar levels back up to normal. You’ll give yourself an energy boost, too.

An over-the-counter pain reliever will calm a pounding headache. Just be careful how much you take. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin irritate the stomach, which could make nausea worse. Avoid acetaminophen when you have a hangover. It can worsen the bad effects of alcohol on your liver.

The idea behind this popular hangover remedy is that taking another drink will relieve the effects of the last few you had. The name comes from an old folk tale that says the way to treat a dog bite is to cover the wound with hair taken from the dog that bit you.

But the truth is drinking again will just throw your body back into the same destructive cycle without giving it time to heal. Experts don’t recommend trying this method.

When it comes to getting over a hangover, time and rest may be the best medicine. Alcohol disrupts sleep. Even if you go to sleep for a few hours after a night of heavy drinking, it won’t be restful. Once you’ve had a glass of water and popped a pain reliever, slip back under the covers and catch up on more restorative sleep.

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step-by-step instructions with expert advice

The suffering that is a hangover can be radically cured by only one method – the rejection of alcohol in large doses. In addition, there are many methods of “treating” a hangover, with varying degrees of effectiveness.

According to experts, in the fight against a hangover, it is most advisable to combine several different tips that will be most effective for a specific problem. We discuss the problem of dealing with a hangover from different angles to help you feel better as soon as possible.

Of course, the surest way to avoid a hangover is not to drink too much. Organizations such as the WHO, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the US Department of Health recommend that men drink no more than 2 drinks per day and women no more than 1.

A serving is 14 grams of pure alcohol: strong alcohol;

What is a hangover

Scientists and doctors have tried to figure out what exactly causes a hangover, but it’s more complicated than one might think. The effects of alcohol on the body are, at least in part, inflammatory in nature and are related to the chemical effects it has on the brain.

Experts explain three factors that often cause next day side effects from too much alcohol:

Dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it increases the production of urine. And if you drink alcohol, then you don’t drink water.

Bad sleep. Alcohol may help you fall asleep at first, but studies show that metabolic products cause sleep disturbance and an inability to fall asleep at night. We know that sleep is our body’s natural reset. So if we can’t sleep well and our body is busy getting rid of alcohol and its by-products, it won’t be able to perform its normal reset routine. This may be one of the reasons why the next morning we feel bad and do not look good.

Accumulation of toxins. Alcohol is broken down in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase to acetaldehyde (acetone). Acetaldehyde is further cleaved by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and glutathione.

When drinking a lot of alcohol, the liver does not have time to neutralize all the toxins. Thus, toxic acetaldehyde builds up in the blood while the liver tries to make extra glutathione.

Elevated levels of acetaldehyde can lead to oxidative stress, liver damage and possibly cancer over time. Genetic variations in the detox process can determine how quickly and efficiently you are able to metabolize alcohol, which can later cause problems for those who metabolize alcohol slowly.

Step-by-step hangover guide

In addition to limiting the number of drinks, experts offer several more options for dealing with a hangover before and after drinking in a bar.

Choose light alcohol

Drink organic vodka or light-colored, high-quality drinks. Light spirits contain fewer toxins than dark ones.

Do not stir drinks

Avoid mixtures with sugar, cocktails and lowering degrees.

Drink more water

Seems easy, but it’s the best way to avoid a hangover. Alternating alcoholic beverages with a glass of water not only helps you stay hydrated, but also slows down your overall drinking.

Drinking alcohol prevents the body from producing a chemical called vasopressin. This means that the kidneys send water directly to the bladder and not to the tissues of the body. This is another reason why you need to go to the toilet so many times while you are having fun and drinking alcohol. Frequent urination also leads to dehydration, since the body can excrete four times as much water, which is probably why you will have a severe headache and dry mouth in the morning.

The best solution is to place a large bottle (or two) of water in front of the bed. So you won’t forget to drink it when you get ready for bed. Make sure you continue to drink plenty of water when you wake up the next morning. In any case, we should drink 8 glasses a day, and with a hangover – 2 times more.

We should drink 8 glasses of water a day, and with a hangover – 2 times more. Photo: Pixabay

Eating a hearty meal

Eating a wholesome meal with good quality protein and healthy fats before drinking helps slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

If you can and want to eat a large plate of white or high fat food in the morning to cure a hangover, this is an option that can work for many people. Fat in foods contains a lot of calories, so you get an energy boost, while eggs and meat are rich in the amino acid cysteine, which is considered to be a good detoxifier.

However, if you’re feeling sick, experts recommend that a bland breakfast help restore blood sugar levels without causing more stomach problems. Crackers, toast, or thin vegetable broth are some of the options.

Alcohol can also lower potassium levels, so eating one or two bananas can help you feel better.

Hangover cures

Eggs. Your liver is working to its limits to neutralize the acetaldehyde toxin with an amino acid called L-cysteine. Help your liver by eating eggs for breakfast, which are a source of L-cysteine.

Coconut water. Alcohol is a diuretic that prevents the pituitary gland from producing vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), which then causes the kidneys to reabsorb less water and excrete it instead. This loss of water can also cause electrolyte imbalances. Dehydration, as well as loss of electrolytes, can cause headaches, tremors, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle spasms. Fight dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Coconut water supplies the body with potassium, so it hydrates you and helps replenish electrolyte balance at the same time.

Make your own anti-hangover drink: mix water, freshly squeezed juice, a pinch of sea salt and honey (optional).

Bananas. They are famous for their high content of electrolyte potassium, which is also a good idea if you suffer from indigestion. Alcohol can have an inflammatory effect on the stomach lining and digestive system, which is a common cause of nausea and indigestion.

Ginger. Cut fresh ginger root and add it to water. Ginger can be effective for nausea and vomiting.

Can of sweet lemon soda. A can of lemon-based sweet soda (Sprite or Seven-Up) might be just what you need. A Chinese study of 57 different drinks found that lemon and lime helped flush alcohol out of the body faster, making you feel better faster.

Sprite was one of the drinks that accelerated the process the most, causing the alcohol to break down faster, shortening the duration of the hangover. The experts explain: It’s high in water for rehydration and high in sugar for instant rejuvenation, but the simple sugars mean the tone won’t last long and you need to eat afterward.

Plus, lemon and lime juice is alkaline and helps to balance the acid in the intestines, suppressing the feeling of nausea.

Painkillers and other drugs

Paracetamol. It can help relieve discomfort. This is another obvious choice – especially when you wake up feeling like your head is in a vise. Experts recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers. They can help with headaches and muscle spasms, but avoid taking aspirin as it can further irritate your stomach and make you feel more nauseated. Instead, opt for a paracetamol or ibuprofen based product.

Soluble tablets with vitamins. A great way to make up for the loss of nutrients due to alcohol. They contain vitamin C, B vitamins, as well as calcium and magnesium.

Popular questions and answers

neurologist of the highest category Evgeny Mosin answered our questions about a hangover.

Why is a hangover dangerous?

In people who have chronic diseases, exacerbation and worsening of the condition is possible. And in itself, a severe hangover is a day, or even more, that practically falls out of life. In the state of a hangover, attention is scattered, coordination is impaired, and accidents, accidents and injuries are possible.

When should a doctor be called?

Any hangover disorder, severe symptoms that do not improve during the day – this is a reason to call a doctor.

What are the consequences of a hangover?

Many people use the “wedge by wedge” method to get rid of a hangover and hangover. It is worth emphasizing that the use of alcohol to overcome a hangover increases the burden on alcohol metabolism, increasing toxicosis and damage to the body. You are delaying the inevitable hangover and doing even more damage to your body. And if you drink more than a day in a row, you may develop a binge.

How to quickly get rid of a hangover?

Publication date: 11/10/2021

CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED. AlcoholismAlcohol poisoningPoisoningHangover

Work experience 12 years. Diploma of Medical Education: DVS 1724848

All authors

Contents of the article

• Why does a hangover occur and how does it manifest itself?
• Symptoms of a hangover
• How to relieve a hangover in the morning
• The most effective hangover pills
• How to properly hangover after drinking
• How to avoid a hangover?
• Sources

The day before you had a hearty walk at a corporate party or with friends, alcohol flowed like water, and at some point the sense of proportion disappeared – it’s so fun and easy! But in the morning, as soon as you open your eyes, you understand that there is no trace of yesterday’s lightness. The head is splitting, it can hardly be torn off the pillow, there is a desert in the mouth, nausea, the state is as if passed through a meat grinder. This is nothing but a hangover. Why it occurs, and how to return to normal, we will tell in this article.

Why does a hangover occur and how does it manifest itself?

Hangover or hangover syndrome is a condition that develops after alcohol intoxication. Moreover, a hangover can also occur in healthy people who have “overdone” with alcohol, and, of course, in alcoholics (in a more severe form).

The duration of a hangover depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and its type. A hangover can last from several hours to a day or even more.

So what happens to our body during the so-called “retirement”?

The following are observed:

• The level of acetaldehyde rises – this is a product of the oxidation of ethyl alcohol, which, by the way, is more toxic than ethanol. With prolonged exposure to acetaldehyde, serious ailments can develop in the body. By the way, if you feel bad even after taking a small dose of alcohol, then your body slowly processes acetaldehyde.
• Dehydration – dehydration of the body
• Decreased glucose level
• Formation of secondary metabolites with toxic properties, free radicals
• Acidosis – acid-base balance shifts to the acid side
• Electrolyte imbalance: magnesium, calcium, sodium
• Add to this the individual characteristics: genetics, age, health status, weight, the presence of chronic diseases.

Symptoms of a hangover

A hangover occurs 8-12 hours after drinking alcohol and is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Sleep disorder (usually insomnia)
• Sensitivity to loud sounds
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in the region of the heart, arrhythmia
• High pressure
• Headache, dizziness
• Increased body temperature
• Tremor
• Pain in the right side
• Anxiety, unstable psycho-emotional state
• Weakness, joint pain
• Discomfort in the stomach
• Blurred vision, double vision

How to relieve a hangover in the morning

It all depends on the severity of the hangover. If the case is mild and there is no threat to human life, then you can overcome the unpleasant condition at home. So, here is an action plan point by point, which helps with a hangover.

1. First of all, you need to restore the water balance. Drink as much liquid as possible: herbal tea with sugar, compote, mineral water, brine, warm water with honey and lemon. Refrain from coffee and strong tea to avoid additional stress on the heart.
2. Empty your bowels and stomach if you feel the urge to do so
3. Take a warm shower
4. When the work of the digestive tract is normal, eat. Food should be light: cereals, broths, lean meat, stewed vegetables. Refuse food that irritates the liver: fatty, smoked meats, fried foods, hot spices, mayonnaise.
5. Try to lie in silence as much as possible, avoiding bright lights.

The most effective hangover pills

Treatment should be symptomatic, and we note right away that before taking medications, you need to make sure that you have no contraindications.

Classic hangover remedies:

• Activated charcoal. This absorbent binds toxins. The drug should be taken at the rate of: 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight with plenty of water.
• Regidron. Available in the form of a powder, which must be diluted with water and drunk. Effective in upset stool and vomiting. One sachet is diluted per liter of water and drunk throughout the day.
• Ascorbic acid. Binds toxins from the processing of ethyl alcohol.
• Succinic acid. It will effectively get rid of a pronounced hangover syndrome without any side effects on the body. An excellent antioxidant. Favorably affects the metabolism and energy supply of internal organs and tissues. Take 1 tablet per hour for six hours.

All products Ascorbic acid

10 reviews

All products Regidron

20 reviews

All products Activated carbon

20 reviews

All products Succinic acid

20 reviews

How to properly hangover after a binge

In addition to the already mentioned restrictions in drinks and food, you should refuse:

• smoking, as nicotine aggravates hangover symptoms
• saunas, hot baths and contrast showers.
• active physical activity, sports

And most importantly: Never hangover! This is self-deception. Yes, the next dose of alcohol will bring relief, but only temporary, and after that the condition will worsen at times and then you can’t do without the help of a narcologist.

All of the above methods can only be used for mild hangovers. If you experience severe headaches, pathological conditions are observed, be sure to contact a specialist. Only a doctor can determine the severity of the hangover syndrome and prescribe adequate treatment.

A qualified narcologist will put the patient on a cleansing drip, the composition of which varies depending on the degree of intoxication. The dropper restores the water-salt balance and quickly removes the remains of alcohol and ethanol decomposition products.

How to avoid a hangover?

If you are going to drink alcohol, follow these simple guidelines:

• Drink one type of alcohol, do not mix drinks
• Give preference to quality alcohol
• Know your limits
• Do not drink on an empty stomach
• Take sorbents or hangover preparations on the eve of the feast
• Have a snack
• Drink more fluids
• During the party, move as much as possible, dance

Still, don’t forget that the only 100% way to avoid a hangover is not to drink alcohol at all. Then the morning will definitely be good!

Sources

1. Cyberleninka.ru: Alcoholism: a global problem in modern Russia. Cheremisina N. V., Ivliev M. I., Talalaev D. D.
2. Ecsocman.hse.ru: Alcoholism and drunkenness in Russia. Ways out of the crisis. Zaigraev G.G.
3. Elibrary.ru: Hangover syndrome: pathogenetic mechanisms and approaches to treatment. Razvodovsky Yu.E. Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Grodno, Republic of Belarus
4. S.science-pedagogy.ru: Pathogenesis and therapy of hangover syndrome. Sibgatullin F.R. FGBOU VO PSMU named after A.I. Academician E.A. Wagner of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Perm.
5. Elibrary.ru: Means for reducing alcohol intoxication, preventing and relieving alcohol intoxication and hangover. Kashlinsky A., Myasnikov D.N., Maevsky E.I., Kondrashova M.N., Uchitel M.L.
6. Elibrary.ru: Alcohol, its effect on the human body.