Gaby
Last night felt great; this morning feels terrible. And it would be one thing if it were just a pounding headache. But hangovers can also bring tremors, dehydration, weakness, swelling, arrhythmia, and deep fatigue. A hangover isn’t harmless — it’s a form of toxic poisoning, so it’s important to help your body detox the right way.
Aperitif
To ease morning discomfort, start treatment the night before. Take sorbents before and after the feast. The simplest option is activated charcoal — one tablet for every 10 kilograms of body weight. Paradoxically, having a little drink beforehand (up to 100 grams of strong alcohol 5–6 hours before the festivities) can prepare your body for the strain. A “warmed-up” body kick-starts the detox process, helping eliminate toxins faster.
Water
If you overdid it yesterday, you’ll be dehydrated today. Alcohol is a powerful diuretic. After heavy drinking, rehydrate your body first. Plain water is the simplest fix; mineral water is best. A sweetened lemon drink can help stabilize blood sugar quickly: squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water and add a teaspoon of sugar. Drink it slowly, no matter how thirsty you feel.
Brine
After heavy drinking, the body loses not only water but salts. Pickle brine or tomato brine can revive you quickly. The juice from fermented cabbage (sauerkraut juice) is a true lifesaver for many people.
Milk and Kefir
Fresh or sour milk can help flush alcohol toxins. If you’ve overindulged, drink half a liter of milk before bed to reduce morning symptoms. Even better, drink a glass of milk every 2–3 hours before the festivities (up to 3 liters a day). Kefir also helps: mix a glass of kefir with a glass of mineral water and drink it in the evening, then repeat in the morning. You can drink this combination as needed.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola and energy drinks can help with a hangover because they contain caffeine, sugar, and B vitamins, which can raise blood pressure, boost energy, stimulate bowel movements, and assist the body in clearing toxins.
Fizz
A folk remedy: dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon each of vinegar and baking soda in a glass of water. Mix quickly and drink it all at once before the bubbles dissipate.
Khash
Khash, a hot, hearty meat broth, works as both a meal and a hangover remedy. With herbs and garlic, it gently nourishes the body without overloading a stomach already irritated by alcohol.
Fermented Cabbage
If your stomach can’t handle regular food after a hangover, support it with fermented cabbage. Sauerkraut contains vitamin C and enzymes that activate digestion, helping you get rid of toxins and waste more quickly.
Potassium
Like any diuretic, alcohol flushes potassium from your system. Rich sources of potassium include tomatoes, bananas, and citrus fruits. Replenish potassium quickly with lemons, mandarins, oranges, bananas, and other fruits. Drink fresh juices when possible — they raise blood sugar and can ease hangover symptoms. Tomato juice is a good option as well.
Ginger
Cut a 2 cm piece of ginger root and simmer it in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes over low heat. Once the brew cools, add the juice of half a lemon or orange and 2 tablespoons of honey. Drink a glass every half hour — it’s an effective remedy for nausea.
Food
Once the nausea passes, a ravenous appetite is normal after a hangover. Scrambled eggs with bacon, fermented cabbage, and fresh herbs are a solid choice. A hearty breakfast (or brunch or dinner) will replenish your strength, and a fragrant cup of tea with lemon will lift your spirits.
Pills
For relief, take Alka-Seltzer not only in the morning but also before bed. If you wake at night, two tablets of ibuprofen, pentalgin, or aspirin can help reduce pain — follow dosing instructions on the package. Asparcam, pentoxifylline, and glycine can also be helpful. For toxin absorption, take activated charcoal (1 tablet for every 10 kg of body weight), which binds some toxins in the gut.
Sleep
Sleep helps the body process and clear toxins. Rest and let your body recover. Avoid strenuous physical or mental work while you’re recovering, since exertion in this state can be dangerous for your health.
Shower
If you need to get back on your feet, try a contrast shower and gentle stretching exercises. Your body will take in more oxygen and regain some tone. Don’t lift anything heavy.
Alcohol
There’s a saying that “the best cure for a hangover is more alcohol.” Some people use a small amount of alcohol to dilate constricted blood vessels; traditional fixes include 100 grams of vodka taken in two doses with a bowl of borscht or a Bloody Mary (half vodka, half tomato juice, pinch of black pepper). Another option is an egg cocktail: mix a raw egg with 1/3 glass tomato juice, 1/3 glass vodka, and a pinch of red and black pepper, and drink it at once. Light beer (0.5–1 liter) can also be used. But don’t overdo it — using alcohol to treat a hangover can prolong a binge and carry real health risks.
