Hangover
A hangover is the after effect of drinking alcohol. Some people only get them after consuming an excessive amount, while others get them after consuming a much smaller amount.
Symptoms
Symptoms include a headache, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. Some people may also be sensitive to light or loud noises.
Causes
A hangover could be said to be a milder version of alcohol withdrawal. Alcoholics withdrawing from the effects of alcohol go through the same thing, only stronger. It is known as delirium tremens. The headache that hangovers are so famous for is caused by relaxed blood vessels. Alcohol relaxes them, opening them up. If the vessels open up too wide, pain receptors are triggered, causing a headache. The dehydration is due to the fact that alcohol is a diuretic. The fluid that is lost adds to the headache and the thirst most sufferers feel in the morning.
Alcohol also irritates the stomach, which causes nausea and vomiting. Alcohol is also a depressant, which accounts for the fatigue and overall feeling of unwellness. Acids build up in the blood after consuming alcohol, which leads to acidosis. Additives and impurities in the alcohol also contribute to the severity of the headache. In general, the darker the alcohol, the worse the effect is. While vodka and white wine have fewer of these additives and impurities, bourbon, red wine and scotch have quite a few.
Cautions
Drinking alcohol to excess can lead to alcoholism. If you find yourself drinking to excess on a regular basis, you may need to seek help.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Cinchona – this bark is used in China to treat drink related headache. This herb is also the source of quinine. Bitter herbs like cinchona help relieve symptoms by making water more effective at rehydration. Other bitter herbs that can also be used in this way include dandelion, mugwort and gentian.
- Ginkgo – in traditional lore, ginkgo seeds are said to prevent drunkenness and hangover. Studies have since shown that the seeds do actually contain an enzyme that helps the body speed up its metabolism of alcohol. If the seeds are eaten before drinking, they may help with less severe symptoms. If eaten afterwards, they may still provide some relief.
- Kuzu (Or Kudzu) – this herb is said to help beat alcoholism. The specific chemical that some scientists blame for hangovers (acetaldehyde) can be affected by kuzu. Kuzu helps this chemical to accumulate faster, so you begin feeling bad while you're still drinking instead of in the morning. The theory is that once you begin to feel bad, you'll stop drinking. If you take kuzu with your first drink, this will benefit you. You can also take kuzu tea in the morning to get relief.
- Wintergreen – this herb contains a compound that is related to aspirin. It is gentler on an upset stomach than true aspirin, so this herb is a good remedy for the headache caused by drinking.
- Cherry – the bark of the cherry tree also contains aspirin-like compounds, and if mixed with hot pepper sauce (for the capsaicin) this herb can make a very good pain reliever.
External Applications
Essential oils that may be used in a bath, burner or massage include geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, peppermint and Rosemary. Remember to always use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil if you are applying directly to skin.