With St. Patrick's Day and spring party time approaching, chances are that you or someone in your family may be looking for relief from their hangover woes. Even if you are just interested in what causes a hangover or how to avoid a hangover, this article is for you.
We are providing useful tips for preparing for a party and how to reduce a hangover, including homeopathic detox products plus a delicious hangover soup recipe that tastes great while nourishing your system to help alleviate symptoms.
What is a Hangover?
The cause is drinking too much alcohol and the symptoms can include a pounding headache, nausea, dehydration, lethargy, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, irritability, and an inability to concentrate.
Symptoms can last up to 24 hours but can be reduced with proper hydration and nutrition (1).
Why does drinking too much alcohol cause a hangover? Here are a few key reasons (1).
- Alcohol is a diuretic, causing you to urinate more. This leads to a dehydration effect with symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and thirst.
- Alcohol causes an inflammatory response in your brain and body. This can affect your alertness, motivation, and mood.
- Alcohol can irritate your stomach, increasing stomach acid production and delaying peristalsis. This can cause indigestion and vomiting.
- Alcohol affects your blood sugar levels and can lead to fatigue and shakiness.
- Alcohol consumption can dilate your blood vessels and cause a headache.
- Drinking too much alcohol can make you feel tired and sleepy, but the quality of your sleep is typically lower.
Alcohol affects everyone differently. This is related to your ability to metabolize and eliminate the alcohol from your body. It is good to know your tolerance.
The type of alcohol you drink can also play a factor in the severity of a hangover, and impurities in an alcohol can increase hangover symptoms (2).
As a general rule, your body needs one hour to metabolize one alcoholic drink. Partaking in more than one drink per hour can lead to a hangover in the average adult (3). Drink slowly, drink less, stay hydrated, and eat healthy foods while drinking to reduce your risk of a hangover (3).
8 ounces of liquor (7% alcohol)
5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
5 ounces of hard liquor (40% alcohol)
Excessive drinking can be dangerous. If you are experiencing symptoms beyond a typical hangover, seek medical help. Severe symptoms include dehydrating nausea, unconsciousness, seizures, and slowed breathing.
Ways to Deal with a Hangover Naturally
There are important steps you should take if you are planning to party or have been drinking to reduce the effects of alcohol on your body.
- Consume plenty of fluids, including water, juice, and broth. Alcohol consumption can cause excessive urination. Be sure to drink plenty of water the day before you are planning to drink. For every serving of alcohol you intake, try to drink eight ounces of water. If you still feel woozy after a night of drinking, continue to hydrate to reduce your dehydration symptoms.
- Get your electrolytes! Water alone cannot provide adequate hydration. Your body needs the electrolytes you have lost during urination, breathing, and sweating.
- Eat nutrient rich foods. Combining nutritious foods with alcohol drinking can improve your body’s ability to metabolize the alcohol. Choose a combination of carbs, proteins, and fats, like whole wheat toast, eggs, and avocados, which will also help balance your blood sugar levels (2).
- Alcohol affects your body’s circadian rhythm and REM sleep quality (2). Sleep longer to catch up on your much needed rest for recovery.
Natural Supplements to Reduce a Hangover
Here are four effective supplements to help reduce your hangover and detox your body after a party that may have been a bit too much fun.
Cellergy – 12 Cell Salts Combination & Electrolyte Spray
Get your electrolytes with Cellergy. It includes 12 vital minerals and 6 needed electrolytes to rehydrate, especially after drinking, exercise, or an illness.
To prepare for an evening of overindulging in leprechaun beer or shamrock cocktails, take two squirts six times a day. Start two days before the festivities and keep going as long as needed. Drink a glass of water after each dose.
Cellergy |
Read more about Ways to Rehydrate with Schuessler Cell Salts.
Homeopathic Remedy for Hangover Relief
Hangover Relief contains important herbs and minerals to help ease your hangover symptoms by helping your liver break down the alcohol and your kidneys filter blood and remove toxins.
This supports a quicker recovery, soothes an upset stomach, and helps bring back energy and a healthy appetite.
Hangover Relief |
Liquid Vitamin B Complex by AnnaKare
Drinking alcohol negatively effects your body’s ability to process vitamin B, which is needed for having good energy (2). Consider taking a vitamin B supplement to help get your energy levels back on track.
AnnaKare Liquid Vitamin B Complex absorbs rapidly to provide your body with all 8 essential B vitamins.
Liquid Vitamin B Complex |
Liquid Vitamin C by AnnaKare
Strengthen your weakened immunity with vitamin C. Studies have shown that drinking alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system (2). AnnaKare Liquid Vitamin C bolsters your immunity and is readily absorbed and bioavailable for increased effectiveness.
Liquid Vitamin C |
Recipe for Pickles and Mushrooms Hangover Soup
And finally, here is a great recipe for reducing your hangover. Pickles and Mushrooms Hangover Soup has a delicious miso taste and a hydrating broth packed with the nutrients you need to get back to normal.
Are you perplexed about the idea of adding pickles to your miso soup? The taste offers a subtle and pleasant surprise of slightly sweet and sour while it replenishes your body with much needed fluids and nutrients.
Ingredients
1 (28 oz) jar of dill pickle4 cups of vegetable broth
8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
2 big carrots, sliced
2 stalks of celery, sliced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
3 sheets of dried seaweed
3 tbsp of miso paste
2 tsp of Chinese five spice (it includes ground star anise, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and fennel seeds)
Instructions
- Strain the liquid from the pickle jar and pour it into a pot along with 4 cups of vegetable broth. Cut the pickles into small pieces.
- Add the pickles, mushrooms, carrots, celery, and garlic and allow to gently boil for 15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, add 3 tbsp of miso. Gather 1 cup of broth from your cooking soup and slowly add it to the bowl with the miso, stirring continuously. Once it is well mixed, pour it into your soup pot.
- Add the seaweed and spice and gently boil for another 15 minutes.
In Summary…
If you have indulged in more than your fill of alcohol, you may get a hangover. There are several natural ways that will help you reduce the likelihood and severity of hangover symptoms.
Hydrate, intake necessary electrolytes, eat nutritiously, and get your rest! Cell salts, natural homeopathic detox remedies, and high-quality liquid vitamins will provide great support before and while you are recovering from your hangover woes.
References:
- Mayo Clinic. (2017). Hangovers.
- Zupello, S. (2019). 8 Natural Hangover Remedies.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2020). Hangover: Symptoms, Remedies, Cure, Prevention.
- Sadowski, K. (2022). Ways Dehydration can Affect Your Daily Life.
Please note: Content and product descriptions are grounded in natural wellness and traditional homeopathic practice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.