3 natural remedies to cure a hangover!
We’ve all been there. We’ve been to a party, got caught up in the mood and had one too many. Or, we’ve popped to the local for one, and that one has turned into two, three, four… We might’ve had the intention of not drinking at all, but then we bump into an old friend and our soft drink plans disappear more quickly than we can say “make that two”.
Our relationships with alcohol can be tempestuous. We drink alcohol to celebrate and commiserate, when we’ve had a good day or a bad day and there are times when we wake up the next morning feeling regretful for not saying no.
Alcohol dependency is a problem that can cause physical and emotional ill health. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, reach out and speak to your GP or a charity that specialises in alcohol misuse or abuse.
But if you’re looking for natural hangover cures, for the times when you’ve simply had too much, you’re in the right place. So ditch the ibuprofen and try these remedies instead!
- Honey
When we drink alcohol, our liver breaks it down into a substance called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a toxin (which is why a hangover feels so awful) so the body needs to dispose of it as quickly as possible. It does this by using the sugar fructose to turn it into acetic acid, which is harmless, that we then turn into carbon dioxide that we breathe out.
This process takes time, and our hangover will feel just as awful until the process is finished.
However, we can help the process along by eating fructose-rich foods, one of which happens to be honey. Add a teaspoon of Necta & Hive Jarrah Honey TA 22+ to a mug of warm water as often as you need it. You’ll also be rehydrating yourself at the same time!
- Water, water and more (coconut) water
The headaches associated with a hangover are all down to dehydration. Even though you may have drunk a lot of liquid last night, alcohol is a diuretic, that is, something that makes you pass urine a lot more, and is therefore dehydrating.
So, even though your stomach may not fancy a large glass of water, it’s important to rehydrate the next morning. Sip water or diluted squash throughout the day. Coconut water is also a good way of replacing lost fluids at the same time as topping up electrolyte levels that will help to restore the balance of fluids in your body.
- Ginger
Long-used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to soothe nausea and vomiting, ginger has qualities that settles a queasy, upset stomach and can work wonders for the gut-related symptoms of a hangover. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the inflammation caused by too many beers/wines/ spirits.
Fresh ginger is best, grated to taste and added to warm water. If you don’t have fresh ginger to hand, keep a packet of good quality ginger tea bags in your cupboard. If the taste is too much for you, add a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of honey and sip slowly.
Of course, the best way to avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol. But if drinking alcohol (in moderation) is part of your social life, then we hope these natural hangover tips come in handy next time you need them!
