“Hangover cure” is a misnomer because like the common cold, there is no cure for the hangover, but there are ways to get some relief. A hangover is actually nature’s way of keeping us from binge-drinking every day, so you can look at it from this perspective instead of moping in bed all day.
Here are a few ways to minimize your hangover woes. They may not work for everyone, but are worth trying if you need to give an office presentation in an hour.
1.Have some honey.
This sweet stuff contains fructose which assists in metabolizing the ingested alcohol. You can spread them on crackers or take a teaspoonful before or after drinking.
2.Have a cup of soup.
Drop a bouillon in a steaming cup of hot water to calm your queasy stomach. It can also prevent dehydration as it contains the salts and minerals that your body needs when you’re hung over. Plus it’s better to have warm soup fill your tummy when you don’t feel like eating instead of not having anything at all.
3.Coffee, anyone?
Coffee can definitely perk you up but one that’s too strong can give you the opposite of the effect you’re looking for. Caffeine can actually worsen your dehydration, so brew a milder version instead.
4.Get a hold of mineral-rich foods.
Canned fish and pickles will work wonders for your ailing system.
5.Fight fire with fire.
Reaching for another alcoholic beverage may be the last thing on your mind when you’re hung over, but your blood will actually ignore the old alcohol as it deals with the new one. A Bloody Mary is perhaps the most popular alcoholic hangover cure, and this is due in large part to its tomato juice content. It contains fructose which, as mentioned earlier, helps you metabolize the alcohol in your system more quickly.
A non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary is known as the Virgin Mary. It’s made of tomato juice, lemon juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper, Tabasco, and a celery stalk for garnish.
If the image of a red drink upsets you when you’ve got a throbbing head, then go for a clear drink called Hair of the Dog. It’s made with Bulldog gin, a few dashes of Tabasco, half an ounce of lemon juice, and a slice of chili pepper for garnish.
6.Ask your doctor.
It’s quite embarrassing to contact your doctor at a time like this, but all you need to know is whether or not the hangover reliever NAC, or N-acetyl-cysteine, is safe to take. It’s an amino acid supplement that restores the cysteine in your body. It’s a component of the powerful antioxidant glutathione and about 500-1000 mg of cysteine is said to clear up hangover symptoms in less than half an hour.
7.Have a sports drink.
Sports drinks such as Powerade or Gatorade are packed with electrolytes and are used to rehydrate athletes. They can restore your sugar levels as well and effectively reduce your hangover duration since they pump fluid in quickly by helping your gut absorb fluids.
8.Go for the old reliable.
Alka-Seltzer Morning Relief can really give you instant relief, so always keep tablets handy.
9.Stay safe with natural food and drinks.
They may not work as quickly but at least you know you won’t be adding even more garbage to your body. Apples, bananas, and lemon are effective against hangovers. You can prepare a cool banana milkshake sweetened with honey to replace the lost sugars. The milk will also soothe your upset stomach, and the important electrolytes lost when drinking – potassium and magnesium – are restored.
As for the lemon or lime, simply add two tablespoons of their juice plus a teaspoon of honey to an 8-oz. glass of water and you’ll instantly feel so much better.
Ginger is also said to be an effective homeopathic remedy for hangovers. Ginger tea can be disagreeable to first-time drinkers of this concoction but it’s an acquired taste, and can even improve your voice if you’re hoarse.
Take a golf-ball sized piece of ginger and chop into several small pieces, boil in water for 20 minutes, and strain. Add a teaspoon of honey or some brown sugar and sip while hot. If you prefer not to taste the ginger, though, ginger capsules can be purchased from pharmacies. Take 500 mg every few hours. Or you could take ginger ale instead if you can’t find the capsules.
Kudzu extract from the plant Pueraria lobata or ‘foot-a-night vine,’ has been found to minimize both hangover symptoms and alcohol cravings. Scientists found that the herb works by altering the reward circuits inside our brains, making it possible for drinkers to achieve the desired effects with less alcohol.