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Sip of the month
Hangover Remedies
While St. Patrick’s Day is known for swerving good times, green beer
and hopefully some early Dropkick Murphy’s tunes, the day after is
the second most hungover morning of the year (New Year’s Day takes
the title of most hungover). In the Paddy spirit, this month’s Sip
focuses on a few time-tested hangover cures to help make your morning a
bit more bearable.
Remedy 1
Emergen-C
These
effervescent little packets of powder are packed with energizing B-vitamins,
vitamin C (which stimulates the liver), and amino acids guaranteed to make
the day easier to face. Of course, the water that you add to the powder
helps battle dehydration. The box that contains the packets even depicts
a person dragging himself through the desert holding a martini glass, uttering,
“Ahh, made it,” as he reaches the oasis of relief that Emergen-C
provides. One note, however: too much vitamin-C, especially in males, can
crystallize and pass through in your urine, causing discomfort similar to
a very small kidney stone. Not for daily use.
Remedy 2
Ginger, lemon, and honey tea
This
ancient detoxifying blend has applications in fighting colds and the flu
as well as helping with hangovers. Ginger has fantastic anti-nausea properties,
and the lemon helps to balance the flavor as well as providing vitamins
that were washed out the night before. Honey has soothing effects on the
stomach and is high in potassium, which is one of the major nutrients depleted
after a night of hard drinking. It also helps to sweeten the blend, and
helps to raise your lowered blood sugar. Add some peppermint for intestinal
relief, as needed.
Remedy 3
Scalp Stimulation
If your major problem the next morning is your head and not your stomach,
get someone to give you a scalp massage. Drugs like asprin and ibuprofen
are hard on your liver, so give your most neglected organ a break for a
day. Scalp massage promotes blood flow to your head, which helps relieve
the sensation of pressure inside your skull.
Remedy 4
Breakfast at Melanie’s
This
particular cure is my favorite. Not only is the food delicious, it is also
packed with nutrients from organic sources. I am partial to the fruit waffle
(full of vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit and high-grade carbs from
the waffles themselves) and a cup of orange juice with ginger and cayenne
pepper when it comes to making a rough morning a little easier. The fructose
from the fruit and juice helps to raise lowered blood sugar and also stimulates
the liver and helps it to break down the alcohol. Their coffee is also of
a very high quality, so it is easier on the stomach. A bit of caffeine is
very helpful the morning after.
The Last Resort
The Hair of the Dog that Bit Ya
If
your condition is beyond repair, perhaps the quickest way to feel better
is to have a drink of whatever you were drinking the night before. This
forces your liver to focus on the newly-introduced alcohol in your system
instead of detoxing the stuff from the night before. A Bloody Mary is a
great choice because tomato juice contains fructose, the celery is packed
with vitamins as well, and it tastes great. This is not the most responsible
choice, but it certainly does help.
Sip by Zeke Bergeron