Most adults have had at least one experience with drinking too much alcohol and ending up with a hangover. It can cause a headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness. To prevent a hangover, do not drink to excess. However, if you do imbibe too much you can help a hangover with herbal remedies.
_ Willow – There are pain-relieving ingredients in the bark of the willow, and you should take this remedy as a tea. To make the tea, steep willow bark in hot water for 10 minutes, strain and drink.
_ Dandelion – Dandelion is known to stimulate the liver, which may help in alcohol dissipation. It is also a source of anti-oxidants and can help with stomachaches.
_ Ginkgo – Gingko helps improve circulation and helps relieve dizziness.
For these reasons it may be a good hangover remedy
_ Honey and Fruit – The fructose in fruit and honey helps speed up the metabolism of alcohol and helps to decrease the effects of a hangover. If you just can’t think about eating a piece of fruit, have a cup of warm tea with honey.
Hay Fever and Allergies
Hay fever is an allergy to certain weeds and flowers that occurs most often in spring and summer. Allergies occur year-round. People can be allergic to many things, but the most common allergies are to pet dander and pollen. Herbal remedies are most effective for those with mild forms of allergies. If you are currently taking prescription medication for allergies consult your doctor before taking herbal remedies.
_ Stinging Nettle – Studies have found that this herb works as well as conventional medications for treating the symptoms of hay fever. Stinging nettle is available in capsule form.
_ Peppermint – The anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint help to calm mucous membranes. The scent of peppermint when inhaled helps you feel as though you can breathe easier. You may drink tea or you can steep the peppermint and breathe in the steam.
_ Licorice Root – The anti-allergy properties of licorice act similarly to cortisone drugs but without the side effects. For hay fever be sure to get whole licorice, not the type labeled DGL, which is used for ulcers.
_ Garlic – Garlic contains an anti-inflammatory substance called quercetin, which can help calm an allergic response in the body.
Headaches
Headaches occur in everyone from time to time. They are commonly a dull ache that happens in the temple or forehead and comes on during the day. Migraine headaches are a result of insufficient blood flow to the brain, and should be treated by a doctor to determine any underlying cause. Herbal remedies can be helpful in treating regular headaches, and be sure to drink water when you have a headache. Many low-grade headaches are actually caused by a mild form of dehydration.
_ Feverfew – Feverfew contains substances that inhibit the release of mood hormones in the brain. For best results, use fresh feverfew. When that isn’t available, take as a tea or in capsule form.
_ Bay – There have been some doctors who recommend taking feverfew with bay to prevent a migraine headache. You can often find a combination available in a health food store.
_ Ginger – Ginger has long been known to relieve and also to prevent headaches. It is an anti-inflammatory and also has substances that help reduce pain. Take in capsule form, according to directions.
_ Peppermint – Taken internally or used externally, peppermint can help relieve a headache. To take internally, drink peppermint tea. To use externally, mix several drops of peppermint oil with lotion or body oil and massage into the temples.