Best Chinese Herbal Medicine For Hangovers
Anyone who has had a few too many drinks on a night out
knows what the next morning can bring. The only surefire way to prevent a
hangover is to drink in moderation or not at all, but despite having the best
intentions going into a social gathering or special occasion, it’s easy to
overindulge.
What Causes a Hangover?
Alcohol enters your bloodstream within minutes of your first
sip. It flows through your digestive tract, starting in your stomach and small
intestines, before traveling to your liver for processing. The liver is the
primary site of alcohol metabolism, the process of breaking down and
detoxifying the alcohol.
The Western Medical Perspective on Hangovers
The treatment of hangovers in Western medicine focuses on
rehydrating the body and soothing painful symptoms. Over-the-counter analgesics
are used to cope with headaches, muscle aches and abdominal cramps. Water and
foods with a high water content (e.g. watermelon) should be consumed to
counteract dehydration. Coconut water, sports drinks or other isotonic
beverages can help replace lost electrolytes.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Hangovers
In Traditional Chinese Medicine,
overconsumption of alcohol is believed to cause excesses of heat and dampness
(known together as damp-heat) in the body. Remedies to prevent or relieve a
hangover focus on clearing these excesses to restore a balanced internal state,
as well as on supporting liver function and improving the circulation of qi.
How Does Drinking Alcohol Affect the Body?
The internal changes described above manifest as the
familiar symptoms of a hangover:
Dizziness, lightheadedness or a sense of the room spinning
Fatigue and weakness
- · Headaches
- · Muscle aches or shakiness
- · Increased sensitivity to sound and light
- · Nausea or vomiting
- · Thirst and dry mouth
- · Poor or decreased sleep
- · Mood disturbances, such as anxiety and irritability
- · Decreased ability to concentrate
Many factors inform which herbs and formulas a patient
should take, including symptoms, body type, any concurrent medical treatments
and even environmental influences. To receive the maximum benefit from any TCM
treatment, it is critical to consult with a licensed practitioner or herbalist
and purchase only Authentic Chinese Herbal
Products.
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