During the holiday festivities many people get carried away with their celebration and experience a hangover the next day. Of course, I strongly suggest that you keep your drinking to a minimum to maintain the longevity of your liver and your overall health, but for that rare occasion when you need to protect against a hangover, consider my remedy.
Heal Your Aching Head
A hangover symptom that may haunt you the next morning is a headache. To treat this painful side effect, try drinking this herbal tea formula to help reduce head pressure:
Boil two tablespoons each of chrysanthemum flowers and mint leaves in four cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink this tea throughout the day until your headache subsides. Some other herbs that can help relieve headaches are feverfew, wintergreen, chamomile, and passionflower. Don’t underestimate the power of natural essential oils when it comes to pain relief. Prepare this compress to alleviate your headache: add five drops of lavender essential oil to one cup of warm water. Dunk a towel in the water and then wring it dry. Place it on your forehead and relax. Take several slow, deep breaths. You may use the time to meditate, or to simply give your body a quiet rest period.
Ginger Tea to the Rescue
Since ancient times, Chinese physicians have regularly consumed ginger tea to keep their vitality up. Ginger is famous as an aid for digestive distress. It has been found to soothe the digestive lining of the stomach and intestines and to balance gastric juices. Cut a two-inch piece from a fresh ginger root and cut it into thin slices. Bring three cups of water to a rapid boil on your stovetop. 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.
Detoxify with herbal tea
Chinese traditional medicine uses natural substances to help support the healthy functions of your liver, lymphatic system, bowels, urinary tract, and skin. Try these herbs in teas to cleanse your system and prevent a buildup of toxins and wastes in your body:
• Chrysanthemum flower is traditionally used to cleanse the liver and neutralize toxins.
• Hawthorn berry is used to cleanse the blood of plaque and other toxins.
• Turmeric supports the detoxification process in the whole body by increasing bile production and releasing and eliminating toxins. Simply put a tablespoon of the spice in a pot and stir over medium heat for five minutes.
• Milk thistle protects and restores the liver, due to its content of silymarin.
• Dandelion root has been found to enhance the flow of bile, relieving liver congestion, which in turn aids the body in detoxifying.
• Popular among my patients is Hangover, a Chinese herbal remedy that is helpful for relieving symptoms of hangover.
Drink Up!
Water, that is. Alcohol dehydrates your system, and drinking plenty of water will help combat all of your unpleasant hangover symptoms and rehydrate your body, as well as flush the wastes from your body. If possible, remember to drink filtered water. It will prevent more toxins from entering your system.
May you Live Long, Live Strong, and Live Happy!
Dr. Mao Shing Ni, best known as Dr. Mao is a bestselling author, doctor of Oriental Medicine and board certified anti-aging expert. He has appeared regularly on “Dr. Oz,” “The Doctors,” and “EXTRA.” Dr. Mao practices acupuncture, nutrition, and Chinese medicine with his associates at the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica and Newport Beach. Dr. Mao and his brother, Dr. Daoshing Ni founded Tao of Wellness more than 25 years ago in addition to also founding Yo San University in Marina del Rey. To subscribe to his tip-filled newsletter please visit www.taoofwellness.com. To make an appointment for evaluation and treatment please call 310.917.2200 or you can email Dr. Mao at contact@taoofwellness.
