Top 6 Natural Hangover Remedies That Actually Work

Feeling a bit rough?

Most of us who enjoy a night of alcohol, especially when we reach a certain age, get really sick of feeling like death the next morning.

We've all been there, walking to work with sunglasses and coffee, head hung low, or snuggled up with our favourite snacks watching Friends reruns or marathon-ing our comfort movies on the weekend.

On average they last between 12-24 hours. But what if we could enjoy a drink, soak up the fun, and still run our errands or spend time with family the next day rather than writing off a whole weekend in hangover recovery?

Natural remedies often provide the best relief, offering benefits without harmful side effects.

What makes a hangover bad?

To understand how natural remedies work, it's important to know what causes a hangover in the first place.

The main culprit is dehydration – alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more often and lose valuable fluids and electrolytes from your body. This leads to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dry mouth. Consuming plenty of water when you’re out drinking alcohol is effective. Still, we’d recommend taking it a bit further with natural supplements that help break down alcohol - beating the hangover right at its source.

Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining, causing nausea and vomiting.

Additionally, the breakdown of alcohol by the liver produces toxic by-products (Acetaldehyde) that can contribute to overall feelings of malaise.

1. Water
• Staying hydrated is key to preventing and alleviating hangovers.
2. Alcohol volume
• Consuming a lot of alcohol - especially over a long period - will make your hangover worse (we know that's an obvious one).
3. Type of alcohol
• Certain types of alcohol can make your hangover even worse. Alcohols with higher congeners, like whiskey, brandy, and red wine, contain biologically active compounds that often cause worse hangovers.
4. Dehydration
• Waking up from a hangover feeling like you haven't had water in 5 days? Well, alcohol acts as a diuretic, creating an increase in urine production and causing dehydration. This is responsible for your thirst, dizziness, and weakness the next day.
5. Not enough sleep
• Alcohol disrupts your sleeping pattern. Although you may feel like you've passed out and slept for 11 hours, the sleep you get is poor quality. This is why you end up feeling groggy and tired.
6. Not enough food
• You've probably heard people say "Have a greasy meal before a night out, it will absorb the alcohol"? Well, that's somewhat true. Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to faster alcohol absorption, increasing blood alcohol levels and hangover severity.
7. Smoking
• Combining the effects of both nicotine and alcohol can make you feel worse the next day. Smoking can also cause dehydration which will worsen hangover symptoms.
8. Mixing drinks
• Everyone knows it's worse when you mix drinks! When you mix alcohol, especially those with high congener content, it can lead to increased stomach irritation and make your hangover much more severe. Drinking cocktails is a great example of this as sugary alcoholic drinks don't contain as much water so you may end up more dehydrated, which can worsen hangover symptoms.
9. General diet
• Your overall diet is an important factor when trying to figure out why your hangover is so damn bad. Certain nutrients like Vitamin B3 and zinc play a role in your alcoholic metabolism. If you get plenty of important nutrients in your overall diet, your body will be better prepared for morning recovery.

6 Natural Hangover Remedies That Work

Here are five natural hangover remedies that genuinely help alleviate hangover symptoms:

1. Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng is proven to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue. Korean ginseng is a key component in traditional and modern hangover remedies. A study of 25 healthy men found that red ginseng in particular reduced plasma alcohol concentrations and hangover severity.

The participants who had the red ginseng hangover sample showed lower alcohol expiratory concentration and lower plasma alcohol levels. The study showed that Korean ginseng helps your body metabolise alcohol more efficiently, helping to reduce hangover symptoms.

This adaptogenic herb helps the body manage stress and improves overall vitality, making it an excellent remedy for quick hangover recovery.

2. Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is renowned for its liver-supporting properties. Milk thistle contains silymarin which can help protect liver cells from toxins, and is an antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative stress on your liver. This herb aids in protecting liver cells from damage and supports the body's natural detoxification processes.

3. Ginger

Ginger is well-known for its ability to ease nausea and improve digestion, two common issues during a hangover. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce headaches and muscle pain, making it a versatile remedy for hangover symptoms. Ginger contains natural antioxidants that may also help control oxidative stress induced by alcohol consumption.

4. Prickly Pear

Prickly pear, specifically the extract from the Opuntia ficus indica plant, is considered beneficial for hangovers; it has anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits that help reduce the severity of hangovers. This cactus fruit is rich in antioxidants, which aid in combating the oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption. Studies have also found that prickly pear can also lower C-reactive protein levels, which causes inflammation and a worse hangover.

5. Tumeric

Tumeric is good for hangovers because it contains a compound called Curcumin which is known for its antiinflammatory properties and liver support. Curcumin also helps with digestion and can give you an immune boost for general post-hangover support.

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps strengthen your immune system and can prevent additional health issues potentially caused by a hangover. It's also a powerful antioxidant that can help you feel less tired, headache-y, and nauseous.

Best Hangover Foods to Get You Through Morning Recovery

What should I eat on a recovery day aside from my natural hangover cure?

1. Eggs
• Eggs are a hangover life-saver. They are high in cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde—a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. They are also very high in protein, so provide the energy that you need to fight your fatigue. Besides all the science, as Jessica Day says: "These are hangover eggs. See, they'll either stop you from throwing up the rest of the day or you'll just throw it up really fast."
2. Bananas
• Noticed muscle cramps and weakness during your hangovers? That's because of a depletion in electrolytes like potassium. The average banana typically contains about 400-450 milligrams of potassium. 
3. Toast
• Carbs are super important for curing your hangover because they stabilise your sugar levels, which can be all over the place after a big night of drinking. If you want, add some honey to your toast for a much-needed energy boost.
4. Porridge
• Oats are high in vitamin B and magnesium which can be heavily run down by drinking alcohol. The carbs stabilise your blood sugar levels but are gentle on your stomach, giving you some much-needed energy for morning recovery.
5. Avocado
• Avocado is full of healthy fats and potassium, which we know is depleted when you drink alcohol. They've got B6 to help your nausea and boost your recovery. Put this on some toast and you'll be well on your way to hangover recovery.

Looks like the perfect post-drinking breakfast is avocado eggs on toast with a banana, or a bowl of porridge!

What to Avoid to Relieve Your Hangover

Well we always say that when it comes to the hangover, prevention is better than a cure. That means taking extra steps before your big night to help relieve a monster of a morning. While you can't go back in time, there are some things that we recommend avoiding to help your morning recovery:

• More Alcohol
• We all know the phrase "hair of the dog", but drinking again to cure your hangover is not a good idea. It might give you temporary relief, but it will only prolong your symptoms and make them worse in the long run.
• Caffeine
• Coffee can be tempting when you're feeling tired and hungover, but it can actually dehydrate you more, worsening your symptoms. And if you have stomach issues from your hangover, caffeine may irritate it even further.
• Greasy Foods
• While they may seem like a comforting option, greasy and fatty foods can actually slow down your digestion and make you feel even worse. Stick to simpler, easy-to-digest options.
• Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
• While it may provide temporary relief for headaches or muscle pain, over-the-counter pain medication (such as ​​Ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol) can be harsh on your liver when combined with alcohol consumption. It's best to stick to natural remedies and let your body heal itself.

Quick

Try AWKN® Recovery Support Pro-Blend

AWKN® Recovery Support Pro-Blend is a revolutionary supplement designed to provide comprehensive hangover relief using a unique blend of ingredients inspired by Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang 한방) and modern scientific advancements. This holistic formula combines the power of:

• Korean Ginseng
• Korean pear
• Milk thistle
• Reishi mushroom
• Ginger
• Prickly pear
• Tumeric
• Vitamin C

Each known for their individual health benefits, AWKN® ingredients deliver a synergistic effect that targets hangover symptoms at their core.

Korean ginseng is renowned for its energising properties, helping to combat fatigue and boost mental clarity after a night of indulgence. Milk thistle supports liver function, promoting detoxification and aiding in the body's natural recovery processes. Reishi mushroom, a staple in traditional remedies, supports the immune system and helps reduce inflammation, while ginger alleviates nausea and digestive discomfort. Prickly pear is packed with antioxidants and helps reduce oxidative stress, further enhancing the body's resilience to hangover effects.

By incorporating these potent, natural ingredients, AWKN® Recovery Support Pro-Blend ensures a faster and more effective relief experience, allowing you to bounce back quickly and feel your best. This supplement represents a perfect harmony between age-old wisdom and modern wellness science, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious individuals seeking a natural solution to hangover woes. Experience the difference with AWKN® and embrace a refreshed, revitalised you.