Last updated on July 27th, 2022 at 03:58 pm

You’re drinking wine and feeling fine. Then, one glass turns to two or three and before you know it, you wake up groggy with a pounding headache and upset stomach. What’s worse is that the older you get, the harder it is for your body to recover from a night of drinking.

While there’s no silver bullet that can make a hangover disappear, there are ways to ease the discomfort. Most people will try a pain reliever, drink a glass of water, and crawl back to bed. What else is there to do? Let’s explore some truly surprising and unique hangover cures to keep in mind after your next night out.  

Hair of the dog. The last thing you want to do in the morning is drink again, but many swear it’s the best way to get rid of a hangover. Alcohol can indeed boost endorphins, which will help you feel better in the short term. However, your symptoms will reappear once you stop drinking. If you do opt for this method, choose wisely. Cocktails with tomato juice like a Bloody Mary may be the best choice since the juice is a good source of essential minerals like electrolytes and potassium, which are often lost after a long night of drinking.

Umeboshi plums. Sometimes, you can’t argue with history. Umeboshi, a type of Japanese stone fruit that’s dried and pickled, were a staple food for samurai warriors who ate them to fight fatigue and combat hangovers and nausea. Their high alkalinity reduces stomach acid and helps relieve nausea. Today, they remain a popular remedy for those suffering from hangovers, as well as expectant moms and travelers with queasy stomachs.

Nux vomica. If you’re not familiar with single medicines, then you’ll be happy to learn about this oddly-named solution. Nux vomica is made from poison nut seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree native to Southeast Asia. In this safe microdosed form, it provides symptomatic relief of nausea, acid indigestion, and upset stomach from overindulgence in food and drink.* While Nux isn’t a hangover preventative, having it in the body before drinking will lessen the reaction of alcohol in your system. Take 5 pellets before drinking, before going to bed, and again the next morning if necessary. Repeat this dose three times a day until symptoms are relieved.

Peppermint. If you want advice about hangovers, speak to a cocktail expert. Insider interviewed bartenders about their quick fixes, and mint was said to work wonders. “Upon waking and throughout the day, massage a drop or two of peppermint oil into your entire scalp and ears,” one server said. “Drink double strength mint tea, and put the teabags onto your eyelids for a few moments.” Doing this will help refresh tired eyes, alleviate a headache, and help settle your stomach.

Learn more about why alcohol makes you feel so miserable, and explore other single medicines that can help with digestive problems from overindulgent habits.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.