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Health

Hangover teas

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Tea after a hangover can have a positive effect on your condition through various mechanisms of action:

  1. Hydration: Tea, like other beverages, helps hydrate the body by compensating for fluid loss caused by alcohol consumption. Hydration is important to combat hangover symptoms.
  2. Antioxidants: Many teas contain antioxidants such as catechins (in green tea) and flavonoids (in rosehip and black currant teas). Antioxidants help reduce inflammation and reduce the effects of free radicals that can form in the body after drinking alcohol.
  3. Caffeine content: Black tea and some other teas contain caffeine, which can help improve wakefulness and relieve the fatigue that often accompanies hangovers. However, be aware that excessive caffeine consumption can also cause nervousness and insomnia.
  4. Improved digestion: Certain herbal teas, such as ginger or peppermint tea, can help improve digestion and relieve stomach discomfort that can occur after drinking alcohol.
  5. Calming and relaxing: Some teas, such as lavender or melissa tea, have calming properties and can help you relax, relieve stress and improve your mood.

It is important to remember that alcohol consumption should be moderate or completely avoided to prevent hangovers. In addition to tea, drinking water also remains important to hydrate the body.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea can be a useful drink after drinking alcohol, as ginger has a number of health benefits that can help relieve some of the symptoms of a hangover and improve your overall health. Here's how ginger tea can be beneficial after alcohol consumption:

  1. Nausea Relief: Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties and can help reduce nausea and prevent vomiting that often accompanies hangovers.
  2. Headache Relief: Ginger may have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce headaches associated with hangovers.
  3. Hydration: Hangovers are often accompanied by dehydration, and hot ginger tea can help hydrate the body.
  4. Antioxidants: Ginger contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.
  5. Stomach Support: Ginger can help strengthen the stomach and ease digestion, which can be helpful after alcohol consumption.

To make ginger tea after drinking alcohol, you can do the following:

  • Slice a small piece of fresh ginger (about 1-2 cm) and peel it.
  • Slice the ginger into thin slices or finely chop.
  • Boil the water and then add the sliced ginger.
  • Allow the ginger to infuse in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
  • Strain the infusion and, if desired, add honey or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
  • Enjoy a hot ginger tea.

Green tea

Green tea can be a good choice after drinking alcohol, as it has a number of health benefits and can help improve your overall health. Here's how green tea can be beneficial after alcohol consumption:

  1. Hydration: Green tea is made up of 99% water, and drinking it helps to hydrate the body, which is especially important after dehydration caused by alcohol.
  2. Antioxidants: Green tea is rich in antioxidants such as catechins, which may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation caused by alcohol consumption.
  3. Liver Support: Studies have shown that green tea can help protect the liver and reduce harmful substances in the body that can occur due to alcohol.
  4. Reducing nausea: Green tea can help relieve nausea and reduce vomiting, which is common after drinking alcohol.
  5. Improving your overall health: Drinking warm green tea can be soothing and help you feel better.

To make green tea after alcoholic consumption, you can do the following:

  1. Boil the water and allow it to cool to about 70-80°C (160-180°F), as water that is too hot can damage some of the green tea's health benefits.
  2. Put a green tea bag in your mug or brew green leaf tea.
  3. Pour in hot water and let the tea infuse for 2-3 minutes.
  4. If desired, add honey or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
  5. Enjoy your tea.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea after a hangover can be an effective way to relieve some of the symptoms of a hangover. Peppermint has a number of beneficial properties:

  1. Nausea Relief: Peppermint can help reduce feelings of nausea and vomiting that can occur after drinking alcohol.
  2. Improved digestion: Peppermint tea can help improve stomach function and reduce stomach discomfort.
  3. Cooling: Peppermint tea has a cooling effect and can help improve your overall health, especially if you have a fever or headache.
  4. Fresh Breath: Peppermint can help freshen breath and eliminate unpleasant odors.

To make peppermint tea, you will need dried mint or mint bags. Here's how to make it:

  • Boil the water and let it cool slightly (temperature around 85-90 degrees Celsius).
  • Place dried mint or mint packets in a cup.
  • Pour boiling water over the mint.
  • Cover the cup and let infuse for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Chill the tea if you want to drink it cold.

Tea with honey and lemon

Tea with honey and lemon after a hangover can be a great choice, as it combines several beneficial ingredients:

  1. Honey: Honey can help replenish glucose levels in the body, which can improve your overall health after a hangover. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe throat irritation.
  2. Lemon: Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which helps replenish vitamin stores in the body, especially if you have lost them due to alcohol. Lemon can also help improve the taste and flavor of your drink.

To prepare tea with honey and lemon, follow the steps below:

  • Brew a cup of your favorite tea (such as black, green, or mint).
  • Add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon to the cup. You can adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your taste.
  • Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey to the cup and stir well until the honey dissolves.
  • Taste the drink and if necessary, add more honey or lemon to taste.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea can be a good choice after drinking alcohol, as it has a number of health benefits that can help relieve some of the symptoms of a hangover and improve your overall health. Here's how chamomile tea can be beneficial after alcohol consumption:

  1. Relaxation and Stress Relief: Chamomile tea has a calming effect and can help you relax and de-stress, which can be especially helpful after a night out with alcohol.
  2. Headache Relief: Chamomile tea can help reduce headaches associated with hangovers due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
  3. Improved digestion: Chamomile can help improve digestion and relieve symptoms of stomach discomfort that can occur after drinking alcohol.
  4. Antispasmodic Action: Chamomile has antispasmodic properties and may help relieve muscle spasms and pain that may occur after alcohol consumption.

To make chamomile tea after drinking alcohol, you can do the following:

  • Put one or two teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in a cup or teapot.
  • Pour boiling water over the chamomile flowers.
  • Allow the tea to infuse for 5-10 minutes.
  • Strain the infusion and, if desired, add honey or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
  • Enjoy chamomile tea.

Chamomile tea is generally considered safe, but if you are allergic to chamomile or other plants in the aster family, you should refrain from drinking it. Also note that chamomile tea may have a mild diuretic effect, so consume it according to your fluid needs.

Black tea

Black tea can be a useful drink after a hangover due to its properties and composition. Here's how black tea can help alleviate hangover symptoms:

  1. Strengthening the body: Black tea is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which help repair the body and reduce inflammation caused by alcohol.
  2. Caffeine: Black tea contains caffeine, which can help increase alertness and energy levels, which can be helpful if you're feeling faint after a hangover.
  3. Hydration: Similar to other hot beverages, black tea can help hydrate the body by replenishing fluid lost due to dehydration.
  4. Improved digestion: Black tea can also help strengthen the stomach and improve digestion, which can be helpful after drinking alcohol.

However, keep in mind that black tea also contains caffeine, which can be stimulating and affect your sleep. If you have a caffeine sensitivity or plan to consume black tea closer to bedtime, it may affect your sleep.

As with any drink after a hangover, moderation is important. Remember, the best way to prevent a hangover is to drink alcohol in moderation, but if you have already experienced its symptoms, black tea can help you feel better.

Lavender tea

Lavender tea after a hangover can be a good choice, as lavender has calming and relaxing properties that can help relieve some hangover symptoms such as headaches and stress. Here's how to make lavender tea:

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender
  • 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

  1. Put dried lavender in a cup.
  2. Pour boiling water over the lavender.
  3. Cover the cup and let the tea infuse for 5-10 minutes to allow the aroma and flavor of the lavender to develop.
  4. Filter the tea to remove the dried lavender flowers.
  5. Drink lavender tea slowly and enjoy its calming properties.

Lavender tea can help you relax and improve your overall health. It can also help relieve stress and reduce the headaches that can accompany a hangover. Remember that relaxation and rest are also important after drinking alcohol.

Other herbs for hangovers

There are several herbs and plants that are traditionally used to relieve hangover symptoms, but their effectiveness is not always confirmed by scientific studies. The mechanism of action and dosage may vary depending on the herb or plant chosen. Here are a few such plants and their possible mechanisms of action:

  1. White Hellebore (Silibum marianum, or Mariana thistle): The seeds of white hellebore are often used in herbal medicine to protect the liver. The mechanism of action involves supporting and protecting the liver, as alcohol can have a negative effect on this organ. Dosage may vary, but this is usually taken in the form of an herbal tea or extract.
  2. Elderberry(Artemisia absinthium): Elderberry is sometimes used to relieve some hangover symptoms. The mechanism of action may include improving digestion and relieving headaches. Elderberry can be consumed as an herbal tea, but care should be taken with the dosage as it can be toxic in large quantities.
  3. Sage: Sage can help relieve inflammation and irritation in the throat that can occur after drinking alcohol.
  4. Melissa (lemon mint): Melissa has calming properties and can help relieve nervousness and anxiety.
  5. Chasteberry: Chasteberry can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the stomach and intestines.
  6. Boggle Thyme: Boggle Thyme can help increase urine flow and reduce swelling, which is helpful for hangovers.
  7. Rosemary: Rosemary can help relieve headaches and improve blood circulation.
  8. Field Thistle: Field thistle can help relieve inflammation and joint pain that can occur after drinking alcohol.
  9. Rosehip: Rosehips are rich in vitamin C and can help increase antioxidant levels in the body, which is good for hangover recovery.
  10. Valerian: Valerian has sedative properties and can help relieve nervousness and insomnia.

Contraindications and side effects can vary depending on the herb or plant chosen, so it is important to be cautious and consult with your doctor before starting to take it. It is also important to remember that drinking alcohol in moderation or abstinence remains the best way to prevent hangover symptoms.

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