The Ultimate, All-Natural Way to Kick A Hangover Fast

It’s one of those Saturday mornings. Friday night is a blur, and a pounding headache insatiable thirst, and intense nausea threaten to ruin your entire day.

Hangovers happen, and the only thing you can think about when you’re plagued with a throbbing headache, nausea, and overall sense of malaise is, “How can I make this go away? Right. Now.” Happily, there are plenty of home remedies for hangovers that can help you bounce back.

Start drinking—but water this time

Unfortunately, you can’t just chug a bottle of water and call yourself ‘hydrated’. Drink fluids like mineral water, coconut water, or even a beverage with added electrolytes consistently for the 24 hours leading up to your first drink and the morning after a night out to ensure that you’ve got enough H2O in your body.

Eat a meal, or at least a snack, to soothe your stomach

Alcohol irritates your stomach lining, which is why nausea or lack of appetite are common when we’ve had a little too much to drink. Something with protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber is best, because it will take your body a little longer to break down and metabolize.

Vitamin C and B vitamins to the rescue

Alcohol is an immunosuppressant, so popping some vitamin C certainly won’t do your body any harm. In fact, taking vitamin C and B vitamins can let you drink your beer and enjoy it too! Studies show that vitamin C inhibits the toxic effects of alcohol (the hangover), but not its pharmacological effects (the fun part). B vitamins are known to support liver function which will help you process alcohol more efficiently.

Try activated charcoal—we’re serious

If you drink a little more than you anticipated, swallow some activated charcoal. It works best if you throw back a few capsules right before bed, but downing some charcoal the morning after a rowdy night can work too.  It may help soak up the toxicity in your system and ease the upset stomach and indigestion that sometimes strikes after a night of beer drinking. (FYI: if you’re going to try this tip, talk to your doctor first!)

Swap your morning coffee for a decaf herbal tea.

Caffeine is tricky, because it can trigger headaches and migraines, but it’s also a godsend for some after a rough night. If you know it works for you, try it, but an herbal tea might be even more soothing the morning after. Try a tea blend with ginger or peppermint to help with feelings of nausea.

Home Remedies for Hangovers

Ask anyone for their personal go-to hangover cure and they’ll have a different suggestion, from greasy cheeseburgers to sweaty workouts. Here are some of the most frequently cited hangover remedies and the logic behind them.

Is Coconut Water Good for Hangovers?

Coconut water is considered a hangover cure because of its hydrating properties. It’s high in electrolytes like potassium and sodium, which help the body maintain fluid volume. When treating a hangover naturally, you need as much hydration as you can get, so adding a coconut water to your beverage lineup isn’t a bad idea. (For a similar effect, you can also add a hydration supplement containing electrolytes to your regular water.)

Is Kombucha Good for Hangovers?

Kombucha is a fizzy fermented tea beloved in the wellness world. Research on its actual health effects, including on hangovers specifically, is limited, but the probiotics in kombucha may help to ease feelings of nausea by helping with gut inflammation. (If you’re really feeling queasy, try a kombucha that contains ginger juice or tea, since ginger is thought to help with nausea as well.) Many kombucha varieties also contain caffeine, which could help give you a much-needed energy boost after a long night out.

Does Milk Thistle Help with Hangovers?

Milk thistle, or silymarin, is a plant medicine remedy that has been used in traditional healing for many years. The contemporary research on its effectiveness as a health supplement is limited. Its reputation as a hangover cure probably stems from its purported effects on liver function, though those effects are not proven. Milk thistle is available in capsule, liquid, and tea form. There’s not much hard. evidence that milk thistle is helpful for alleviating hangovers; if you want to give it a try, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider first.

The best thing to remember if you wake up with a hangover? The hair of the dog isn’t going to help you… Instead, it will probably make your hangover worse. Try these natural cures and you just might be game for a Saturday hike rather than spending the day horizontal on the couch.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before changing your diet or healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Photo credit: Robert S. Donovan via Flickr