Home Remedies to Treat Your Hangover

Unfortunately, there is no cure for a hangover – you simply have to give your body enough time to clear the alcohol from your system and treat the symptoms as they come up. Luckily, the majority of hangover symptoms will not last longer than 24 hours, so there is some real relief in sight. In the meantime, here are some home remedies that you can try to use to feel better.

Many of the symptoms of a hangover are caused by dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, so with all of those extra trips to the bathroom last night you were flushing out valuable fluids and nutrients that your body needed. So, be sure to drink plenty of water to help get hydrated again. Fruit or vegetable juice can also work, since they include a lot of the vitamins that you need as well as some sugars, or you can try a non-caffeinated sports drink for the electrolytes.

As long as you are not normally a heavy drinker or have a known case of liver disease, you can try taking some acetaminophen to help your headache and various aches and pains. Acetaminophen should not be taken with alcohol, so wait until the morning of your hangover to take it. If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor about what painkillers you can use. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, since these can further irritate your already irritated stomach lining and/or cause further liver damage.

For a drug free remedy for headache pain, try a cold pack. If you did not plan ahead and have an ice pack in the freezer, a bag of frozen veggies can work just as well.

If you have an upset stomach, you can try an over-the-counter antacid. Be sure to read labels and make sure that it is safe to drink after consuming alcohol. If you like tea, peppermint and chamomile tea can also be soothing to the stomach and help fight nausea.

Besides losing fluids and vitamins when you are dehydrated, you also lose salt and potassium. Trying some Bouillon soup or a sports drink can help put these back in balance in your body, as well as some needed fluids, while still being easy on your stomach.

Having some vitamin C may help speed up the rate that the alcohol in your body is broken down. Having a glass of orange juice or a fresh citrus fruit can be good for you, or try chewing on some Vitamin C tablets.

There are some things that you should avoid while you have a hangover. Avoid any caffeinated drinks. Caffeine is also a diuretic, like alcohol is, and will cause further dehydration. Plus, many coffees and sodas are rough on your stomach, and can irritate your stomach lining further. You should also avoid any hangover cures that involve the “hair of the dog”. This does not do anything more than put more alcohol in your system and ultimately will make the hangover worse. Stick to water or juice instead if you really want to feel better.