It can happen to anyone to have one too many at a party or a dinner with friends and find themselves having to deal with a hangover. Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and an upset stomach are the classic symptoms faced by anyone who has overdone it with alcohol and gone to bed decidedly tipsy. Plenty of fresh water, a little time and patience are usually enough for the body to find its equilibrium again, but it is possible to turn to some natural remedies to speed up recovery from a hangover.

Post-hangover: rehydrate first of all

Despite being liquids, alcoholic drinks dehydrate the body, which will therefore need a surplus of hydration in order to recover more quickly. Still water is the simplest and most effective way to restore normal conditions, but fresh juices and cold-pressed drinks can help too. If you can manage it, drink water that has been slightly warmed with a pinch of salt (but not too much, or you risk the opposite effect). Rehydrating will also help speed up the elimination of alcohol through diuresis and perspiration. It is better to avoid fizzy drinks and caffeinated ones (cola, coffee, etc.), which can further irritate the stomach lining and worsen dehydration.

Hangover remedy: water, ginger and lemon

Ginger and lemon are two classic natural remedies for a hangover, particularly effective at combating nausea and an upset stomach. To take them, you can chew a small piece of fresh ginger directly, or prepare a ginger herbal tea and add a few drops of lemon to the warm infusion. It is also advisable to use a little honey to sweeten it: the bees' golden product supplies antioxidants capable of counteracting the free radicals produced by excess alcohol. The drink should be sipped nice and hot, in small sips, so as not to risk initially worsening the feeling of nausea. A further benefit of this natural hangover remedy is that it contributes to the body's rehydration.

Fresh fruit and natural juices

A breakfast based on fresh fruit is another natural remedy for a hangover. The intake of fructose and vitamins can indeed help the body recover from a hangover. Bananas, in particular, help restore potassium levels more quickly — these can be depleted after a bout of heavy drinking, contributing to the feeling of exhaustion typical of a hangover. As an alternative to fruit, you can drink juices and freshly squeezed drinks, provided they are natural and prepared at home. It is better to avoid citrus fruits and other fruits that may worsen the feeling of an upset stomach or prove difficult to digest.

Other natural remedies for a hangover

Mint, preferably fresh, also has digestive properties that help shake off a hangover: making yourself a herbal tea or a mint-based broth, ideally using fresh mint, is definitely a good idea for recovering from a heavy night. If you don't like mint, or perhaps don't have any to hand, opt for fennel and lemon balm, which are likewise recommended for aiding digestion and helping the body process an excess of alcohol. Milk, meanwhile, helps detoxify the body and reduces the absorption of alcohol, so it can help you feel better, relieving headaches in particular.