Beer, wine and spirits are widely consumed especially during festivity. Chronic alcohol use disorder or occasional binge drinking can cause a wide range of health problems, such as hangover, liver damage and cancer.
The impurities in alcohol (which vary from one type of alcohol to another) can also contribute to the severity of the hangover. In other words, the more pure the alcohol, the less severe the hangover.
Traditional herbs, play a huge role in the prevention and treatment of the problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Herbs: A part of Your Hangover Cure Kit.
Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used as an important ingredient in cooking and traditional herbal medicine for a long time. It exhibits antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective activity. 6-Gingerol as the major bioactive constituent of ginger that can efficiently scavenge various free radicals.
Excessive alcohol consumption causes alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). The ginger essential oil and citral exhibited hepatoprotective activity against AFLD has been proven in research studies. Therefore, ginger is effective to prevent and treat hangover and organ damages induced by overconsumption of alcohol through its antioxidant action.
A cup of ginger tea the morning after a heavy night is a cheap way of hitting two birds with one stone. You’ll replenish some of that much-needed water, and also get an important shot of stomach-calming ginger.
Ginseg (Panax Ginseng)
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) has therapeutic potential for the treatment of alcohol toxicity and as an anti-hangover agent. Ginseng shows positive effects on alcohol metabolism and relieve hangover symptoms. In addition, it also has protective effects on alcohol-induced toxicity in major organs in animals such as reproduction and gastric.
Ginseng also has a protective effect on alcohol-induced gastric damages. Therefore, red ginseng could be used as potential treatment of hangover and alcohol-induced reproductive and gastric toxicity due to its antioxidant activity.
Fennel
It is considered an effective herb in management of alcohol hangover. Fennel contains 12 major phenolic compounds and a high level of flavonoids. Phenolic compounds display strong free radical scavenging activity. Flavonoids characteristically encourages a healthy inflammation response.
Consumption of too much alcohol makes the liver to overdrive. Fennel contains restorative properties which help bring the liver back to its normal condition. Add fennel seeds into a hot cup of your usual tea. This will calm upset stomach, perks up your mood, and refresh your liver.
Chlorella
Chlorella (a freshwater plant) is an excellent choice for combating that dreaded hangover and for preparing the body for the indulgence ahead. It naturally contains a very high level of chlorophyll and a unique component known as Chlorella Growth Factor.
Chlorella Growth Factor has the ability to repair tissues within the body, including liver cells in addition to stimulating the production of immune specific cells. Chlorella is especially effective in the removal of pollutants from the body, supporting their detoxification from the body, which includes alcohol.
Chlorella consumed today comes in tablets. It is popular in countries such as Japan where one third of the entire population consumes chlorella weekly. Hangover relief is one of chlorella’s endless benefits.
Pear Cactus (Opuntia Ficus-Indica)
Opuntia ficus-indica (pear cactus) is a xerophyte plant that belongs to the Cactaceae family. The cactus pears has strong antioxidant properties due to its high contents of polyphenolics, flavonoids, betacyanin, betaxanthin, taurine and ascorbic acid. The extract of the Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) has a modest effect on alleviating hangover symptoms by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators, because the symptoms of hangover are partly due to the activation of inflammation.
The prickly pear juice possesses the ability against alcohol-induced liver injury due to their capacity to scavenge free radicals or to enhance the endogenous antioxidants activities.
For Those looking for more:
A combination of pear juice, sweet lime and coconut can help the body cleanse itself of booze faster than any other food or drink. A cocktail with 65 per cent pear, 25 per cent sweet lime and 10 per cent coconut water is the tastiest.
Hangover poses a considerable threat at the individual level. Along with the occurrence of unpleasantness there is also a risk of health issues that might impact everyday functioning.