On average, it only takes 3.2 drinks to cause a hangover so there may be one in store for you in the next few weeks.  A little preparation will ensure that you have the right ingredients on hand when the wrath of grapes descends.

There are a few things that will help avoid a hangover and a few others that will repair the damage afterwards.  Here's some ideas of what to put in your kitchen and medicine chest so you'll be prepared.  Every body is different so you may have to do some experimenting to find the best solution for you.

Before you drink:

  • Eat 6 or more almonds.
  • Eat a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter.

While you're drinking:

  • Take an activated charcoal tablet after each drink to help absorb impurities.
  • Silymarin, or milk thistle, helps protect the liver; take 140mg before or while drinking then again before bed.

Before going to bed after drinking:

  • At the very least drink a glass of water before lying down; this will help with the dehydration that alcohol causes.
  • Even better, drink a sports drink with electrolytes.
  • Even better than that, put a teaspoon of Bifidus powder in the water or sports drink.  This will help neutralize the acetaldehyde which is a major cause of hangovers.
  • Take two teaspoons of Evening Primrose oil.
  • Take a B-vitamin complex.  Take one before drinking and one before going to bed.


In the morning, to soften the hangover:

  • Drink sports drinks to rehydrate and replace electrolytes, or drink lime juice.
  • As horrible as it may sound--take a walk; exercise will help detoxify the body.
  • Take a probiotic supplement.
  • Avoid painkillers; they're tough on the stomach and it's already suffered enough.  Take the herb Feverfew or Willow Bark; they'll do a little painkilling with no side-effects.
  • Eat apples.
  • Drink a banana milkshake/smoothy sweetened with honey.  This will help with blood sugar, dehydration and electrolytes.
  • Grannie's chicken soup will help with hydration and electrolytes.
  • Ginger capsules, 500mg, will help with digestion.  Ginger tea is good too.
  • Kudzu extract has been shown in studies to relieve hangover symptoms.
  • Take Prickly Pear Cactus extract.
  • Stimulating the scalp by pulling on various clumps of hair until the whole scalp has been stimulated can relieve the headache.
  • Thyme tea made with five fresh leaves can help.  Put leaves in very hot, but not boiling water.
  • Vitamin C can stimulate the liver to break down the alcohol.  You need to take two to ten grams which might give you diarrhea; if so, back off on the vitamin and drink plenty of clear fluids.


Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.