'Tis the season to be jolly… hungover. But fret not!
Here Dr Chris Etheridge, a leading medical herbalist (phytotherapist), and clinical pharmacist Mike Wakeman of thisilyn.co.uk give us their best hangover cures..
Essential vitamins
As well as eating something before, during and after a night of drinking, take a multivitamin daily to bridge dietary gaps over the festive period.
Make sure the supplement includes B vitamins, vitamin C and zinc to potentially reduce the effects of hangovers.
These help protect the liver against the effects of alcohol. If you are drinking frequently, levels can easily become depleted.
A recent study found drinkers with high nicotinic acid and zinc levels reported significantly less severe hangovers – and people who drink regularly often have low levels of vitamin C.
A study of 69 people admitted to hospital after excessive alcohol consumption found that 1.5g of vitamin C followed by 500mg six times a day restored vitamin C levels to normal within just two days.
A 150ml glass of 100 per cent orange juice such as Tropicana contains 60 per cent of your daily recommended vitamin C intake.
Researchers using rats found that combining vitamins C and E was more effective when it came to easing the toxic effects of alcohol on the liver.
Another study published more than 30 years ago stated that people had fewer hangover symptoms if they took a total of 1,200mg of vitamin B6 before, during and after drinking alcohol.
However, the research has not been replicated since and the recommended dosage is above the safe levels recommended by modern experts.
Indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution caused by aerosols, paints and disinfectants can leave you with a headache – quite literally.
Banish the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they leave behind with an all-natural product like Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray.
It contains 41 essential oils that “eat up” toxins – and some of them can activate the opioid pathways in the brain, acting as mild painkillers.
Milk thistle hero
Take the herb milk thistle before you go out, then again the morning after.
It contains silymarin, a compound that protects the liver against free radical damage and encourages the production of glutathione – the body’s key antioxidant.
You can also try a cup of ginger tea to help reduce nausea.
Mike's top tip: Make your own using fresh crushed ginger for a potent cup.
Eggs factor
Eggs are one of the best breakfast hangover cures around.
They are high in the amino acid cysteine, which blocks the breakdown of acetaldehyde in booze.
It’s one of the main compounds responsible for hangovers.
Booze blocker
Take activated charcoal before going out, as well as the day after.
While it won’t absorb alcohol, it adsorbs – meaning it prevents alcohol and other toxins getting into the body.
It’s often used to treat victims of poisoning for this very reason and has been shown to be an effective hangover cure.
