Natural Hangover Cures
Natural hangover cures are advertised on cable television and displayed prominently in convenience stores across America. That's because a sizable part of the drinking population would like to use organic hangover treatments, instead of artificial methods that haven't worked in the past. But are herbal remedies and homeopathic suggestions useful in the least?
Let's take a look at some of the leading natural hangover cures and see if they stack up. We've covered one or two of these pills and supplements already, but I want to get the comparison all on one page.
Milk Thistle - Nature Hangover Cure
Milk thistle extract is taken from the seeds of the milk thistle plant, which is native to the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, and which produces a milky white sap reminiscent of milk. This seed extract has been used by herbalists and physicians in the Mediterranean region since the days of the Roman Empire. Milk thistle extract was used for temporary liver ailments and chronic liver disease alike.
In recent decades, doctors and researchers have begun studying the effects of milk thistle extract scientifically. Their conclusion is that milk thistle strengthens the walls of liver cells against toxins that are found in alcohol, and therefore does work to treat certain liver conditions. The best guess at the moment is that milk thistle extract works on less serious and more temporary conditions, but isn't likely to help someone with chronic liver disease. That opinion might change, with more research.
Milk thistle natural hangover cures find their way into stores all the time these days. Take milk thistle pills as a hangover prevention technique before drinking, but don't expect it to work afterwards.
Berocca Natural Hangover Cure
Berocca is another natural supplement marketed over-the-counter in convenience stores and gas stations nationwide. Berocca contains vitamin-B, so it's going to replenish the vitamin B you lose drinking a lot of alcohol.
Once again, Berocca is a natural hangover cure that's going to help better taking it before you start drinking.
Curing Hangovers Naturally with Ginseng
Curing hangovers naturally with ginseng is a good alternative to consuming coffee. If you feel like you need a big dose of caffeine in the form of coffee, tea or "no doze", consider taking ginseng instead. Caffeine is a diuretic, so it's going to make your dehydration from binge drinking alcohol even worse. Cut out the caffeine, take ginseng and drink a lot of water, and you should start regaining your energy faster.
Ginseng is a root that grows in the cooler regions of Asia, such as China and Korea. Ginseng traditionally has been used as a stimulant, treatment for type II diabetes and treatment for male sexual dysfunction. In the last decade or two, ginseng has become a staple of the energy drink industry, especially in tea drinks. Ginseng is not a diuretic, so it should give you energy without dehydrating you. On the downside, ginseng has been known to cause nausea, headaches and high blood pressure in some, which can be really bad in combination with a hangover.
Tiger Balm Herbal Blend
Tiger Balm is an Asian remedy, which is actually a blend of clove oil, cajuput oil, menthol and camphor. Tiger balm promotes blood flow and works as a painkiller. Using tiger balm for a hangover headache is great, because you don't have to ingest it on a sick stomach. Instead, you dab tiger balm on your temples and the back of your neck. Don't get it in your eyes, though.
Wheatgrass Natural Hangover Cure
Wheatgrass is a know body purifier, cleaning the bloodstream and the water therein. Wheatgrass is a bit of a wonder herb, because it is provides antioxidants and enzymes to help your body, while also promoting healing and maintaining pH balance. Wheatgrass detoxifies the human body. Heck, it even deodorizes the body.
Drink a glass of wheatgrass at night before you go to sleep after drinking, then drink a second glass when you wake up in the morning. This should help purge a good amount of the alcoholic toxins in your body.
Asparagus Natural Hangover Cure
Korean researchers have found that asparagus is high in or produces two enzymes, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) that metabolize ethanol, a key component of alcohol, into a non-toxic state. This means that eating asparagus should help you detox from many hangover symptoms. The recommended treatment is to eat asparagus before drinking a lot of alcohol, or even steaming up some asparagus once you have a bad hangover.
Sure, asparagus makes your urine smell funny, but that's probably a good thing. Asparagus is high in vitamin C, potassium and folate. Asparagus stalks are high in antioxidants, and eating asparagus has been consider a good way to cleanse and heal the body since at least the time of the 2nd-century Roman physician, Galen.
Mustard Bath Natural Treatment
If you want to get really wild, use mustard powder to prepare a mustard bath solution. There are mustard bath products on the marking that combine mustard with mineral salts, camphor and eucalyptus, so consider adding some of those natural ingredients in, if you wish. Mustard solutions help draw the toxins out of your body.
For those who don't like mustard for some reason, try a wasabi bath. That's right, I'm talking about that crazy-hot stuff you dip your sushi into. Wasabi is known to increase blood circulation and "oxygenate" body cells, getting rid of toxins and waste.
Water: the Natural Hangover Cure
While you're looking for natural hangover recovery tips, remember that water is the best natural hangover tonic you can use. Water regulates and stabilizes so many of the body's functions, it's hard to list them all. Most of the symptoms of being hung over can be traced back to dehydration, because alcohol dehydrates the body. Drink plenty of water before, during and after a drinking binge.
Curing Hangovers Naturally
So there are all kinds of natural hangover cures you can use, if you want to try alternate hangover remedies. Some combination of all the drinking remedies should help alleviate the worst effects of hangovers.