Part II: Naturally Prevent, Relieve and Eliminate Unpleasant Hangovers

Saturday, April 16, 2011 by: Tony Isaacs
Tags: hangovers, remedies, health news

(NewsTarget) In part one of this article, we looked at sensible and natural ways to avoid hangovers - including not making the mistake of drinking too much to begin with. If you do end up with a hangover, here are ways to safely and naturally relieve and eliminate it:

One of the first things to do for hangover recovery is eliminate built up toxins. Hot baths are great, especially with added Epsom salts to help you relax, relieve aches and restore lost magnesium. A sauna is likewise great and so is exercise or a brisk walk.

A remedy which usually gets rid of hangovers quickly is a banana and honey milkshake. Bananas calm the stomach, and with the honey, build up depleted blood sugar levels. Bananas are also rich in the magnesium and potassium, important electrolytes which are depleted by alcohol.

Honey by itself is a popular remedy. Take 2-6 teaspoons of honey every twenty minutes upon waking, depending on the hangover's severity. Continue until you start to feel better, then take four teaspoons with your first meal. Use only raw certified organic honey if possible.

The bark of willow trees contains the natural form of the same pain-relieving ingredient found in aspirin; the amount is much smaller so it may be less stressful on your stomach. You'll also find similar pain-relieving compounds in wintergreen. To make a tea, use the bark of willow or the leaves and flowering tops of wintergreen. Steep 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of powdered bark or wintergreen leaves and flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10 - 15 minutes and drink 1 to 3 cups of tea per day.

Dandelion root helps gently relieve constipation and stomachaches and stimulates the liver for better alcohol metabolism. Plus, dandelion is a good source of antioxidants that help repair damage from excess alcohol. Steep 1 to 2 tsp of dried root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink a cup in the morning and another in the evening.

Hot peppers contain the pain-relieving compound capsaicin. Try dried, ground peppers or powdered cayenne in a glass of tomato juice the morning after. But keep this Bloody Mary a virgin - fighting a hangover with another drink delays recovery and may increase the severity of the following hangover. You can also take a pinch or so in food.

As noted in the previous part of this article, milk thistle (silymarin) protects the liver. It also helps remove toxins. Frequent drinkers and recovering alcoholics should take milk thistle daily. Typical dosage is 70-120 mg three times daily.

Grandma's old stand-by, chicken soup, seems to work as well for hangover problems as it does for colds.

Other suggestions:

*Drink a glass or two of fresh lime or lemon juice and honey in water as soon as you wake up.
*Drink peppermint tea or chew the leaves to relax the intestines and help eliminate accumulated gas.
*Take gingko. In Japan, ginkgo seeds are served at cocktail parties to prevent drunkenness and hangovers.
*Eat apples on an empty stomach the day after drinking.
*Use the herb feverfew in place of aspirin.
*Take ginger capsules or ginger tea every few hours to help soothe the stomach.
*Consider kudzu extract. Studies have shown that its isoflavones help relieve hangovers quickly.
*Eat asparagus. A study has found that the amino acids and minerals in asparagus ease hangovers and protect liver cells.
*Consume plenty of watermelon.
*Eat raw persimmon or raw cabbage for headache relief.
*Pull your hair in clumps or massage your scalp to increase circulation and relieve a headache.
*Drink thyme tea.

Sources included:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangover
http://www.ivillage.com/asparagus-may-ease-h...
http://www.health911.com/hangovers
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health...
http://www.tbyil.com/Hangover.htm

About the author

Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near Austin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".