Holiday time calls for celebration, and some of us have had the experience of a little too much merrymaking resulting in consequences the next morning - namely, a hangover.
I would like to share a personal story that may help you minimize the effects of a hangover, the next time you are over-indulgent with your drinking.
I don't make it a personal habit to drink. However, I was once invited to a welcoming dinner with the former State Secretary of a province in China with my father.
The host appeared with a bottle of Cognac to honor my father with a toast. My father declined the offer, saying "My son will drink for me." Throughout the evening, I was given glass after glass of cognac. Knowing myself as a non-drinker, I continually requested ginger tea, to buffer the alcohol and keep my stomach settled.
By morning, I felt just fine, but the host called to cancel our engagement due to his feeling unwell. Ginger tea, the ancient Chinese remedy to prevent hangover, was proven useful once again!
Of course, I strongly suggest that you keep your drinking to a minimum for the longevity of your liver and your health. But for that rare occasion to protect against a hangover, consider my remedy.
Ginger Tea to the Rescue
Since ancient times, Chinese physicians have regularly consumed ginger tea to keep their vitality fired up. Ginger is famous as an aid for digestive distress. It has been found to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices.
Cut a 2-inch piece from fresh ginger root, and thinly slice this piece. Bring three cups of water to boiling in a pot. Add the sliced ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Brew for about five minutes. Then strain out the ginger and sip the tea slowly. You may also add some honey if you find the ginger tea too spicy.
Heal Your Aching Head
A symptom of too much drinking that may haunt you the next morning is a headache. To treat this painful side effect, try drinking this herbal tea, which will help reduce head pressure:
Some other herbs that can help relieve headaches are feverfew, wintergreen, chamomile, and passionflower.
Also, don't underestimate the power of natural essential oils. Prepare this compress to alleviate your headache: Put 5 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 cup of warm water. Dunk a towel in the water and then wring it dry. Place it on your forehead and relax.
Drink Up!
Water, that is. Alcohol dehydrates your system, and drinking plenty of water will help combat all of your unpleasant hangover symptoms, rehydrate your body, as well as flush the wastes from your body.
I hope you will not find many occasions to use these hangover remedies, and that they help in times of need!
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