Beat Your Hangover Naturally With These Healing Herbs

Waking up after one too many drinks is never a great feeling. While over-the-counter medications are an option, there are plenty of natural remedies that can target your specific symptoms just as effectively—whether you need to dissipate mental fog, settle your upset stomach, or soothe your headache.

For a heavy-hitting herb that targets multiple hangover symptoms at once, Creeping Thyme is your best bet. It has a long history as both a medicinal and culinary herb in Iceland and can be conveniently used as a tea. It’s a general painkiller, and according to traditional medicine, improves dizziness and headaches. Creeping Thyme is also good for GI distress, and its antioxidant powers, flavonoids and essential oils pack an extra punch.

Rose Bay Willow has traditionally been used to treat everything from coughs to general pains, but first and foremost it's an anti-inflammatory that works especially well in the digestive system. Rose Bay Willow also has a strengthening effect on the immune system, and research has shown that it has antioxidant properties.

Meadowsweet has a long and well-documented history as a medicinal plant in northern Europe. It’s one of the best Icelandic medicinal herbs for various digestive disturbances: It heals the mucous membrane of the stomach, balances gastric acid, and is used to treat indigestion, stomach pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Research on meadowsweet has shown that its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties are equal to those of conventional drugs, and it also inhibits bacteria growth and stimulates the immune system.

Clinical research has been done on the efficacy of Roseroot on fatigue, exhaustion, lack of concentration, work phobia, and short-term memory, all with positive results. Promising, if you don’t have the luxury of spending your hangover vegging on the couch. Its bonus antioxidant and liver-protecting powers, combined with its natural protection against dryness and dehydration, make it a perfect pick for treating myriad hangover symptoms.

Multiple tests back up its anti-inflammatory effects, and it’s also thought to stimulate the immune system, protect the heart, and lower blood pressure.

Note: Do not take willow or self-heal if you’re allergic to aspirin or if you’re on blood-thinning medication.

But beware: The leaves of Nettle plants have little hairs that sting and burn when touched. These hairs are destroyed by boiling or drying, so it is safe to eat boiled nettle leaves or drink tea made with the dried leaves.

Native Americans used dandelion a great deal, both as food and medicine. It was considered effective for anemia, digestive disturbances, constipation, back pain, inflamed eyes, edema, kidney disease, heartburn, and as a blood cleanser. Dandelion leaves contain large amounts of natural potassium and increase urination, thus getting toxins out of your system. Dandelion root, on the other hand, has a stimulating effect on liver and gallbladder function, and has been used to strengthen the liver after long periods of medication or alcohol use. Added bonus: it stimulates your immune system and is great for your skin.

*General Note: Do not use herbs, either internally or externally, without first reading the comments under the heading “Warning” for each herb where applicable. Do not take larger doses than those that are recommended. If the intention is to take herbs simultaneously with medication, seek the advice of a medical herbalist before using the herbs.