With St Patrick’s Day upon us, View The Vibe’s Libby Roach divulges the best hangover cures for the Irish flu…
With St Patrick’s Day on the horizon, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. While early intervention and a little pre-planning can prevent most hangovers, St Patrick’s Day tends to bring out the Irish in all of us. If you reach (or pass) the point of no return, here are some standard (and unusual) cures for the Irish flu.
Cure may be a bit of a misnomer, as some of these remedies will work for some, and others won’t. The old cliché holds true: time heals all wounds. When all else fails, remember tomorrow is the dawn of a new day and a new you. So give yourself a pass and remember this lesson for next year. Broken up into handy categories, here are View The Vibe‘s best hangover cures for the Irish flu…
EAT
While some of us swear by greasy food to save us from our spirit-crushing hangovers, science may provide some better insight (and solutions) to getting back to normal in a hurry. Potassium-rich potatoes have more of the kidney-boosting nutrient than a banana. So if you can stomach a baked potato or even a bag of chips, the salt will also help replace what you lost with all those trips to the loo.
Eggs are known for containing cysteine. This aids the liver in processing acetaldehyde, a product of metabolizing alcohol. Eggs also contain choline, a B vitamin that aids in metabolizing of fats. Pair some eggs with toast for a quick blood sugar-balancing breakfast.
If you want to speed things along, opt for some Vegemite on toast. Vegemite tastes pretty suspect (although most Aussie’s will argue that one). But it is chock full of B vitamins, yeast, salt and folic acid, all known to be important nutritional elements lost while drinking. The carbs from the toast will help your blood sugars return to normal as well. Making this a safe bet if you can keep it down.
Spicy foods are also thought to provide relief, but mostly, it’s a distraction tactic. It may temporarily confuse your brain from feeling like you are about to toss your cookies. But much in the same way, greasy food works in the short-term. In the long haul, after you’ve digested it, you’re likely going to be back in the bathroom, this time for different reasons.
DRINK
We’ve all heard “hair of the dog” is the fastest cure and, while staring back into the barrel of the gun that got you into this mess is unlikely (green beer, no thanks), consider replenishing some vitamins with it. Like the classic Canadian cocktail, the vitamin-rich Bloody Caesar. While this cure probably won’t do much to speed things along, it is certainly the most fun. Bonus points if you have Walter Caesar mix on hand. It doesn’t have glucose, MSG, or weirdo simulated flavours that’ll set you back further in your recovery.
A pot of milk thistle tea sweetened with honey will not only stave away dehydration, but milk thistle also is known to repair and regenerate liver cells. Which are likely totally screwed up right now. A dose of honey not only makes it taste better but gets your blood sugar back up. This will help with that mental fog state you are currently occupying.
While Gatorade is a well-known thirst eliminator, you can do one better with a natural beverage, like coconut water. It is high in electrolytes and low in calories. Coconut water is also high in potassium. It contains more than your average sports drink, making it a digestible remedy. No machete required.
It should come as no surprise that good old H20 is by far the first choice for staving off dehydration. (Making it one of the ultimate and yet eau-so basic hangover cures). But consider pairing it with a cup of coffee. It may reduce those migraine-like headache symptoms that you are surely suffering from. Flat ginger ale may remind you of childhood tummy aches, but ginger root is known to soothe sore stomachs. If you want to speed the process up, consider boiling a few tablespoons of crushed ginger with water for a natural approach.
TAKE
If the mere thought of moving is too daunting, then make one trip to the medicine cabinet and toss back a couple Advils or ibuprofen. Those are safer bets for your over-worked liver than taking Tylenol, (acetaminophens). Those can cause liver damage when taken with alcohol. Ibuprofen will knock out those aches and pains and allow your body to rest and recover.
Your body’s vitamin stores are virtually wiped out when hungover. If eating vitamin-rich foods gives you a case of the queasies, then pop some pills. Especially vitamin B, which supports the nervous system and brain. Plus vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps detox your body after a night out. If you have a pack of Emergen-C on hand, drink that up and you’ll cover both bases.
DO
A vigorous workout can help rid the body of all those toxins you’ve just ingested. So if you can muster up the courage, try to go for a run around the block, or better yet, a romp in the sack. If your partner can handle the distillery smell oozing out of your pores, a session between the sheets will guarantee a nice endorphin boost.
If moving proves too much, consider a long soak in a hot bath (or sauna if you have one). This will up the detox process (just remember to drink lots of H20). If all else fails, crumple into the fetal position and sleep this one off, and try to remember this lesson for next year.
What are some of your top secret hangover cures for the Irish flu? Let View The Vibe know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
