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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