Home Remedies for Hangover Headaches, Nausea, How to Stop a Hangover Naturally

Are there home remedies for hangover that really work? What helps with hangover? Hangovers are common the morning after taking alcohol. The more alcohol you drink the more likely you will have a hangover. There is really no magic cure to stop a hangover. Below are simple natural remedies for hangover that will help you stop the unpleasant symptoms.

According to the mayoclinic.com, a hangover is a group of unpleasant signs and symptoms that can develop after drinking too much alcohol. Note that depending on the level of tolerance, the term “too much” is used to describe any amount of alcohol. This means that, the symptoms of a hangover may vary from one person to another depending on their ability to tolerate alcohol. Symptoms of a hangover usually begin to be felt the morning after a night of heavy drinking- when the blood alcohol drops at or almost zero level.

Symptoms of a hangover depend on what and how much you drank and may last up to 24 hours. They include:

• Thirst
• Headaches and muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Poor or decreased sleep
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Decreased ability to concentrate
• Depression, anxiety or irritability
• Rapid heartbeat

Home Remedies for Hangover the Morning After

A hangover may not only feel awful but can also be a reason for poor performance and health. There are currently no scientifically backed facts on hangover or treatments making home remedies for hangover the best bet. While most hangovers resolve on their own, these simple home remedies may help to reduce discomfort.

Bananas for Hangover

Alcohol increases the rate of urine output- known as the alcohol diuretic effect . Dehydration sets in and shows in form of dry mouth, fatigue, headache and dizziness. This leads to loss of potassium and other essential minerals. Eating a banana gives you a burst of potassium. They are also gentle on the stomach and will help coat the stomach lining to prevent more irritation.

Coffee for Hangover Headaches

Coffee is a regular go to drink that stimulates alertness when taken for the start of the day. Most people stand by the fact that coffee cured their hangover. It is important to note that coffee may treat or cause headaches that come with a hangover. This home remedy is recommended for regular coffee drinkers.

According to cnn.com on hangover remedies, when you skip your regular cup, you may end up with a pounding caffeine withdrawal headache on top of your hangover. Caffeine also dilates blood vessels which helps you to get rid of your headache and also spikes up your brain functions.

Take a small amount and relax for 30 minutes. Use minimal sweetener.

Honey for Hangover Cure

Honey has lots of antioxidants that help to neutralize toxins that come with taking alcohol. Fructose in honey helps to breakdown alcohol into less harmful compounds. According to motherliving.com, the body uses up the fructose in the honey to convert acetaldehyde made during alcohol metabolism into acetic acid which can be burned up by the body naturally.

Honey also replenishes sodium and potassium lost due to the alcohol diuretic effect.

1. In the morning after, take 2-4 teaspoons of honey and continue every 20 minutes depending on how severe the hangover is.
2. Alternatively, spread some honey on a piece of toast and have it for breakfast
3. Add several spoonfuls of honey into a cup of hot water and drink it

Taking honey will help to stabilize your metabolism and get rid of the banging headache. Tomatoes and fruit juice work in the same way to infuse your body with sufficient amounts of fructose for better and faster metabolism.

How to Use Lemons to Cure a Hangover

Lemon is a popular hangover remedy. It takes a lot for the liver to breakdown alcohol. Taking some lemon water will help detoxify and aid in tissue regeneration thanks to the antioxidant and astringent properties of lemon.

Lemon also balances the body sugar and pH which easing up hangover symptoms such as headaches.

1. Add 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey into a glass of warm water. Stir well and drink slowly. Take this as soon as you wake up and as required during the day.
2. Add grated ginger root and half a lemon juice into a cup of boiling water. Allow it to simmer for some minutes. Place it the fridge and take it chilled as many times during the day.
3. Steep black tea in boiling water and steep for 3 minutes. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and place it in the fridge. Take this tea chilled to alleviate symptoms

Note that, lemon juice reduces the intensity of a hangover but does not cure it.

Best Fruit Juices for Hangover Treatment

Fruit juices make the best hangover drinks-taking fruit juice the morning after gives your body an instant energy refill. It also helps to boost metabolism to rid your system of alcohol, fast. Fruit juices also contain vitamin C and minerals that keep the body hydrated and replenish lost nutrients. Bitter fruit juices make the best remedies because they detoxify and help suppress nausea at the same time.

According to juicing-for-health.com, “Carrot, green apples and green vegetables help to cleanse the digestive system, thus removing toxins as much as possible through elimination. Spinach is highly cleansing and building and is essential for the body’s circulatory system, especially to the brain.”

Celery, cauliflower and broccoli are rich in calcium and magnesium. Blend together carrots, apples, and cauliflower and broccoli juice and take it to get rid of hangover headache.

Exercise

Mild exercises like yoga and waling can help you get rid of a hangover. Gentle exercises will help to sweat it out and distract yourself instead of drowning in your misery. Remember that your body is already too dehydrated. Take lots of water while exercising to stay hydrated and boost the levels of your endorphins. Opt for an energy or sports drink.

Home Remedies for Hangover Nausea and Vomiting

Hangover nausea is a common symptom of a hangover. Hangover nausea is not entirely caused by alcohol intake. Low levels of sugar cause irritation of the stomach which leads to overproduction of acid. While over the counter anti-nausea remedies that contain phosphorus and fructose may help correct the blood sugar balance and decrease stomach irritation, here are home remedies that can help with hangover nausea and vomiting.

Ginger for Hangover Nausea

Fresh Ginger root is effective in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting by aiding in digestion of the alcohol and also soothe the stomach lining.

1. Simply peel and chew on small pieces of fresh ginger during the day.
2. Cut small pieces of ginger tea and boil in water to make ginger tea

Ginger tea, ginseng tea and any other herbal tea can be used in the same way.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint provides a soothing effect for the irritated lining of the stomach- reducing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

In a cup of boiled water, add in one teaspoonful of dried peppermint and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and take it every few hours to relieve nausea and vomiting.

Turmeric for Upset Stomach

Turmeric is an old ayurvedic and Japanese remedy for hangover. It soothes the stomach and helps an upset stomach. It’s not clear on how turmeric works to relieve a hangover. Promoting liver function, being an anti-inflammatory, helping mop up the acetaldehyde residue of the alcohol and keeping down nausea seems to the magic in turmeric.

Simply add a teaspoon of turmeric into a cup of milk or yogurt to make a turmeric hangover drink.

Multivitamin before Sleeping

Taking a couple of multivitamin pills before sleeping works wonders for preventing hangovers. The best multivitamins to treat a hangover should contain all the essential electrolytes to replace all the nutrients you lost during peeing and vomiting. Certain vitamins contain elements that can even help to detox your liver which means your body can better rid itself of those nausea-inducing toxins that are produced when breaking down alcohol.

Home Remedies for Hangover Headache

What is the best home remedy for a hangover headache? Waking up to that hangover throbbing pounding headache is a total misery. While hangover headaches are not something that can be treated at the hospital, they are very common.

According to howstuffworks.com, “A hangover is caused largely from acute alcohol withdrawal and dehydration, and the accompanying pounding head results from dilated blood vessels in the brain, lowered blood glucose, and substances in the alcohol that dilate the blood vessels.”

Taking lots of fluids is the best home remedy for a hangover headache. Fluids can be taken in form of water, soft drinks, broths and soups.

Low sugar levels and sudden drop in alcohol levels is what causes for hangover headaches the morning after.  Combating low blood glucose with foods that have high fructose competes for the metabolism of alcohol making sure that there is no sudden drop of alcohol levels.

Sleep Helps to Get Rid of a Hangover Headache

Sleep is the best cure for a hangover headache. Try to get as much sleep as possible. The body works extra hard to metabolize the alcohol in your system- it is normal for you to feel sluggish. Going back to sleep will allow your body to work without that extra effort.

Take Pain Relievers Sparingly

Pain killers are always the first thing that comes to mind the morning you wake up with a banging headache. While it is not a bad idea, just makes sure that you use the right ones at the recommended doses.  The recommended painkiller is ibuprofen. Wake up at around 7 am and takes lots of water with ibuprofen. Aspirin may cause stomach irritation which will leave you feeling worse and acetaminophen could lead to liver damage if mixed with alcohol.

Take a Long Shower

According to hangover-remedy.info, it is best to take a shower first thing in the morning. The temperature that you choose is actually up to you. While a cold shower will help you to wake up for the day, a hot shower is best as it will make you relax your muscles and your overall body. If possible, take a warm shower and go back to sleep. Alternatively, you can so alternate temperatures for both benefits- take a cold shower then immediately jump in for a hot shower.

How to Avoid a Hangover

• Avoid mixing different types of alcohol
• Stick to less fizzy drinks- fizzy drinks speed up the rate of absorption into the system
• Do not consume alcohol on an empty stomach
• Choose drinks that are light colored as they have fewer congeners
• Alternate alcohol with soft drinks and water
• Know your limits and stick to them
• Avoid smoking while taking alcohol, it further irritates the stomach

Of all the remedies for hangover, it is important to keep in mind that the best remedy is to avoid alcohol altogether. The less alcohol consumed, the better your chances of avoiding a hangover. DRINK RESPONSIBILY TO AVOID FUTURE HANGOVERS!

REMEMBER: DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.

Sources:

The Drunk Pilate : The 10 Healthiest Hangover Cures Ever

Cosmopolitan : 17 Expert Tested Ways to Prevent a Hangover

BBC : Hangover Cures

John Hopkins Medicine : Hangover Headache

Live Science : Hangover Cures, What Works, What Doesn’t