Hangover is the name given to the heady feeling that follows excessive alcohol consumption. Hangovers are usually felt when the mind returns to its proper faculties, that is, the intoxication has worn off. Hangovers are mostly felt in the mornings after a drinking session the night before. The general characteristics of a hangover are a feeling of nausea, vomiting, heaviness in the stomach, headache, sensitivity to light and noise, excessive thirst and lethargy. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person. In people with low resistance to alcohol, diarrhea, fevers and pain in the joints and muscles may occur due to hangover.
The alcohol normally consumed by humans is ethyl alcohol. In its pure form it is a colorless liquid that is very easily miscible with water. For this reason, as soon as alcohol reaches the stomach, it dissolves into the bloodstream. The presence of alcohol in the blood reduces nerve impulses. This is what leads to the feeling of intoxication when one is drunk. But if the feeling continues until the next morning, then the person will suffer from a hangover.
Indulging in heavy drinking is not enough; it is very essential to know how to deal with a possible hangover. A hangover will not only ruin your day, but it will also wreak havoc on your health. When one drinks, there is a loss of water and essential nutrients from the body. Therefore, in addition to fighting a hangover, a person must also replenish lost nutrients.
Ayurveda has developed various effective therapies to solve hangover problem since the time when Maharajas used to drink alcohol. The following are some of the very effective therapies that have been used:
1. First of all, you should never drink on an empty stomach. It is ideal to drink after or with a satisfying meal. That is why the concept of appetizers and starters has emerged. Ideally, the food to be taken accompanied by alcohol is a fatty food. This will increase vata and help the body better prepare for alcohol. Even otherwise, fried food will stick to the inner lining of the GI tract and slow the assimilation of alcohol into the bloodstream.
2. Water is the best natural therapy that can be used to combat a hangover. Ideally, a person should drink as many glasses of water as they have had of the alcoholic beverage. The water can be drunk early the next morning to ensure the effects of the alcohol.
3. Citrus fruits are very beneficial to combat hangovers. A glass of fresh orange or lemon juice, sweetened with sugar is good. Also, bananas are effective. Bananas contain fructose (a carbohydrate that helps the body recover lost energy) and potassium, which is one of the nutrients canceled by frequent urination caused by alcohol. Kiwis are also rich in protein.
4. Caffeine and chocolate have positive effects on hangovers. After an alcoholic binge, bite into a candy bar or drink a cup of coffee. This will help you get your nerve impulses back. However, too much coffee could further strip nutrients from the body. Therefore, you should not drink more than one cup of coffee.
5. The morning after the alcoholic binge, have two sunny omelettes with bread for breakfast. Eggs provide the body with energy and increase protein content. In addition, eggs can help eliminate accumulated toxins in the body. Take the tortillas with toast so that the bread also provides the necessary amount of starch.
6. If there is constipation in the morning along with the hangover, any over-the-counter medication can be taken to stop the constipation. You can consume mint and chamomile tea to stop constipation.
7. Ayurveda uses therapies such as cold head irrigations (Shirodhara) and the application of cold compresses to the body to reduce hangovers. These methods have been found to work excellently. Alternatively, cold foods like ice creams are also prescribed to people suffering from hangovers.
For people who want to solve their hangover problems, Ayurveda prescribes the following medicines:
a) Brihat vata Chintamani rasa, of which 200 milligrams should be taken before going to bed
b) Vata Vidhwansa rasa, to be taken in the same dose as the previous one
c) Brahmi ghritam, of which 30 ml should be taken at bedtime with milk and
d) Sarvatha choorna, of which 5 grams are taken with bread or milk at bedtime.
Some people combat a hangover by taking another drink of the same beverage in the morning. It is not known how this works, but having a little more alcohol helps reduce the effects of a hangover. However, it is advisable not to go for a strong peg in the morning. Have a light alcoholic cocktail, such as a Bloody Mary or Virgin Mary. The salty content of these cocktails can greatly reduce the effects of a hangover.
