Natural cures for hangovers

Partying through the night may be fun, but it rarely comes without a price.  As much as we enjoy our alcoholic beverages here in the UK, it's often easy to forget that inside those pretty bottles is a drug. Alcohol fills our bodies with damaging toxins which we then have to work overtime to get rid of. A hangover can leave you bedridden with dizziness, a pounding headache and a queasy feeling in your tummy rendering you unable to do what you wanted to do that day. While of course the best way to avoid a hangover is not to overindulge the night before, we all know that sometimes this doesn't go to plan. On those occasions, instead of closing the curtains and spending the day groaning in bed, we suggest you try some of these easy, natural hangover remedies to help you enjoy your weekend to the full:

Bananas

When you go out drinking you might find yourself queuing for the toilets with increasing frequency throughout the night. All of that peeing flushes the body of potassium, which is an essential mineral for building muscle, breaking down carbohydrates and building proteins. To regain some of the potassium lost the night before, we suggest you keep a potassium-packed banana handy. Not only will it replenish your supplies, but it'll also give you energy to help you focus.

Hot toddy

The first thing you should do when you stumble out of bed in the morning is make yourself a classic hot toddy - without the whiskey of course. Mix hot water with honey and lemon and relax as you sip it slowly. This mix will replenish any lost fluids and sugars, and the honey competes for the metabolism of the alcohol. This competition prevents rapid changes in alcohol levels which cause headaches.

Fruit juice

Freshly squeezed fruit juice - especially orange juice, will help raise your blood sugar levels and ease some of the worst hangover symptoms. If you have an upset tummy you're advised to stick with apple juice as orange juice may be too acidic for the stomach to handle.

Water

When you drink alcohol, your body becomes very dehydrated. It is important to drink plenty of water the day after as many of the hangover symptoms are actually caused by dehydration.

Alternative therapy

There is nothing like a calming aromatherapy massage to get rid of any aches, pains and stiffness caused by a wild night of partying. An Indian head massage will get rid of any tension and get the blood flowing around your body, aiding its repair.  To find out more about how massage works and to find a massage therapist near you, please visit our Massage page.  View and comment on the original How Stuff Works article.