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Top 12 Hangover Remedies from Around the World

Hangovers are the universal consequence of a night well spent. Every culture has its own tried-and-true methods to combat that dreaded morning-after feeling. From hearty breakfasts to unusual brews, let’s take a tour around the world and explore some of the most unique and effective hangover cures. A big shout-out to David McCandless and Information is Beautiful for the enlightening infographic that inspired this guide.

Traditional Remedy (Various Cultures)

Ingredients: Egg yolk, Lemon juice, Worcester sauce, Pepper

Description: The traditional hangover cure, popular in many cultures, is a protein-packed punch in a glass. The egg yolk provides essential nutrients, while lemon juice and Worcester sauce add a zesty, savory kick. A sprinkle of pepper finishes it off, giving your system a wake-up call. This remedy is believed to soothe the stomach and replenish lost nutrients, making it a time-honored classic.

American Remedy

Ingredients: Egg yolk, Worcester sauce

Description: In the land of burgers and fries, the American hangover cure sticks to simplicity and effectiveness. Egg yolk mixed with a generous splash of Worcester sauce delivers a swift nutrient boost to tackle the hangover head-on. This straightforward approach ensures you get the benefits without any fuss, making it a quick fix for the morning after.

Dutch Remedy

Ingredients: Beer

Description: The Dutch, known for their practicality, believe in the “hair of the dog” method. A cold beer to nurse your hangover might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a beloved tradition that’s said to ease the pain by providing a gentle reintroduction of alcohol into your system. This method can help you feel better temporarily, but it’s important to follow up with proper hydration.

Germanic Remedy

Ingredients: Pickled herring, Mustard berries, Juniper berries

Description: Germany and its neighbors offer a remedy that’s not for the faint of heart. This briny mix of pickled herring, mustard berries, and juniper berries is thought to replenish electrolytes and aid digestion. Plus, the unique combination is sure to distract you from your pounding headache! This remedy capitalizes on the sharp flavors and high nutrient content to kickstart your recovery.

Romanian Remedy

Ingredients: Cow’s stomach, Root vegetable soup, Cream, Vinegar

Description: Romanians go all out with a hearty, unconventional soup. Made from cow’s stomach, root vegetables, cream, and a dash of vinegar, this robust dish is believed to settle the stomach and restore energy levels. If nothing else, it’s an adventure in a bowl! The richness and unique ingredients make it a memorable and effective solution.

Chinese Remedy

Ingredients: Strong green tea

Description: In China, the answer to a hangover is as simple as it is effective. Strong green tea, packed with antioxidants, helps detoxify the body and clear the mind. It’s a gentle yet powerful way to start the recovery process. The tea’s natural compounds work to cleanse the liver and improve overall hydration.

Polish Remedy

Ingredients: Sour pickle juice

Description: Poles have a penchant for pickles, and their sour, tangy brine is a classic hangover cure. Rich in electrolytes, pickle juice helps rehydrate and balance the body’s chemistry, while the tartness gives your taste buds a jolt. This straightforward and accessible remedy is a staple in Polish households.

Hedonistic Remedy (Varied Origins)

Ingredients: Ginger ale, Lime juice, Brandy, Gin

Description: For those who lean towards indulgence, this concoction is a luxurious blend of ginger ale, lime juice, brandy, and gin. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience. The combination of flavors aims to soothe the stomach and elevate the spirits. This fancy mix can make your recovery feel like a treat rather than a chore.

Icelandic Remedy

Ingredients: Water, Honey, Cider vinegar

Description: Icelanders prefer a natural remedy. Mixing water with honey and cider vinegar creates a drink that hydrates and energizes. Honey provides a gentle sweetness and energy boost, while cider vinegar helps with detoxification. This simple yet effective combination leverages natural ingredients to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.

Italian Remedy

Ingredients: Coffee

Description: Italians keep it classic with a strong cup of coffee. Known for their impeccable coffee culture, it’s no surprise they rely on a robust espresso to clear the fog and rejuvenate the senses. The caffeine kick helps to wake up the mind and body, providing a much-needed boost.

French Remedy

Ingredients: Strong coffee

Description: Similarly, the French trust in the power of a potent brew. A cup of strong, dark coffee helps to kick-start the day, chase away fatigue, and bring clarity after a night of indulgence. This traditional remedy is both comforting and invigorating.

British Remedy

Ingredients: Baked beans, Egg, Bacon, Sausage

Description: The British answer to a hangover is a full English breakfast. This hearty plate, loaded with baked beans, eggs, bacon, and sausage, provides a balanced mix of protein and fats to absorb alcohol and provide sustained energy. This substantial meal is designed to fill you up and help you recover.

Medical Remedy

Ingredients: Water, Diarrhoea medicine

Description: For a no-nonsense approach, the medical remedy focuses on hydration and stomach relief. Drinking plenty of water and taking diarrhea medicine helps address dehydration and gastrointestinal discomfort directly. This straightforward method aims to rehydrate and stabilize the body.

Conclusion

Whether you’re facing a mild headache or the full wrath of last night’s choices, there’s a hangover cure for every taste and tolerance level. From the simple elegance of green tea to the robust indulgence of a full English breakfast, these remedies highlight the diversity and creativity of cultures around the world in tackling the universal hangover.

Credit: Infographic by David McCandless from Information is Beautiful.

FAQs about Hangover Cures

  1. What causes a hangover?
    • A hangover is caused by several factors including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, low blood sugar, and the presence of toxic byproducts from alcohol metabolism.
  2. How does coffee help with a hangover?
    • Coffee can help alleviate headache and fatigue due to its caffeine content, which is a stimulant. However, it can also dehydrate you further, so it should be consumed with plenty of water.
  3. Is pickle juice really effective for hangovers?
    • Yes, pickle juice is rich in electrolytes and sodium, which help replenish the body’s lost nutrients and alleviate symptoms like headache and nausea.
  4. Why is green tea recommended as a hangover cure?
    • Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help detoxify the body and reduce inflammation. It also provides a gentle caffeine boost without the jitters associated with coffee.
  5. Can a hearty breakfast cure a hangover?
    • A hearty breakfast, particularly one rich in proteins and fats, can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide essential nutrients to kickstart your recovery.
  6. What are isotonic drinks and how do they help?
    • Isotonic drinks are beverages that contain similar concentrations of salts and sugars as in the human body. They help rehydrate and replenish lost electrolytes quickly.
  7. Is the ‘hair of the dog’ method effective?
    • Drinking more alcohol (hair of the dog) can provide temporary relief but it generally prolongs the recovery process and can lead to worse symptoms later.
  8. Are there any natural remedies for hangovers?
    • Yes, natural remedies include drinking water, consuming ginger tea to reduce nausea, and eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as bananas and spinach.
  9. Can exercising help with a hangover?
    • Light exercise can help boost endorphin levels and improve mood. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided as it can further dehydrate you.
  10. Is it necessary to take medication for a hangover?
    • While over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with headaches, it’s important to stay hydrated and avoid medications that can irritate the stomach.

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hangover cures, hangover remedies, natural hangover cures, traditional hangover remedies, hydration, coffee for hangovers, green tea, isotonic drinks, hearty breakfast, pickle juice, alcohol recovery, detox, health tips

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Is Ice-Cream Helping You Beat the Summer Heat?

Yes, summers are here, and the scorching heat is unbearable. Our natural instinct is to grab something cold and what better way to beat the heat than an ice-cream. It’s cool, creamy, delicious and triggers dopamine rush. It gives a cooling sensation on the tongue; the flavour and overall sweetness contributes to the positive experience of enjoying this treat. It is hard to pass that feeling of instant pleasure. But before you grab that ice-cream, know the science behind what an ice-cream does to your body heat, so that next time when you require something to cool yourself, you’ll make a better choice.

How our body heat works?

To understand what ice-cream does to our body, we first need to know a bit about how our body controls temperature in different environments. The process of maintaining optimal body temperature by our body is called thermoregulation. Humans are warm blooded which means we can control our body temperature. Our body can constantly produce heat as a byproduct of internal chemical processes which is done by our metabolism. Our metabolism is responsible for correct functioning of our body. From breaking down food to absorbing nutrients to transporting them to different cells and then converting it into energy, metabolism makes it all possible. The heat this process generates is useful when outside temperature is cold but in summers, we need to avoid overheating.

How will Ice-Cream work once it gets digested?

It may seem logical to have something cold like an ice-cream in summers to cool yourself, however, once the components of the ice cream start to break down, the cooling effect is diminished. Its initial cooling effect is rapidly replaced by heat which is generated when the digestion process of ice cream starts. When the body needs to digest calorie rich foods, it produces a lot of heat to digest it which leads to increase in body temperature. Milk, sugar and all the cream added in an ice-cream are rich in calories. This will generate more heat in the body when outside temperature is already high. So, instead of having a cooling effect, it will have the opposite effect. The same goes for high calorie soft drinks- aerated drinks, packed juices. All of this will provide only a momentary respite from the heat but will not cool your body in the truest sense.

What can you actually do to keep your body cool in summers?

While it’s is ok to enjoy an ice-cream once in a while but as the mercury rises opt for a more balanced approach to beat the heat. Some of the best summer coolers are: 

Apart from this, warm beverages surprisingly are a good way to keep yourself cool. Drinking hot beverages cause your body to sweat which allows your body to cool down. Sweating is the most effective natural way for our body to lose heat. 

Eating spicy foods such as ginger, cayenne pepper and red chili peppers can cause you to perspire. When you eat spicy food, you might initially feel hot, but it triggers sweat response causing you to perspire and when the perspiration evaporates, it cools your body temperature. 

Lastly and most importantly, keep yourself hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential to maintain overall well-being and is one of the best ways to keep yourself cool.

Ayurvedic Perspective: 

According to Ayurveda, ice-cream has dampening qualities. It is cold, heavy, too sweet and lacks fire element. Fire or Agni in Ayurveda is referred to as digestive fire- energy that we all need for smooth digestion. Now imagine, pouring something cold and heavy on a blazing fire. Yes, exactly! The fire will diminish. Having too much of cold, sweet and heavy foods creates an imbalance in our body triggering conditions like excess mucus, lethargy, weight gain, allergies, indigestion, bloating and constipation. 

But if you really have a strong urge to grab that ice-cream cup, Ayurveda has some ways in which you can make this food little friendly for your body.

  • Consume your ice-cream around noon time, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. This is the time when digestive fire is at its strongest. You will have plenty of time throughout the day to digest it. 
  • Go for ice-cream that has a bit of spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or even cayenne pepper. This gives your body some digestive support. 
  • Cardamom flavoured icecream is considered to be one of best antidotes to icecream. When cardamom is added to dairy products, it aids digestion and helps to reduce excess mucus production caused by dairy. 

Bottomline

Cold treats can be satisfying when the temperature is soaring however, it does have an opposite effect on your body. Instead of cooling your body, it will generate more heat. You can enjoy cold summer treats but remember moderation and maintaining a balance is the key to good health. Fix on better and natural summer coolants and remember to stay hydrated.

I hope this post helped you and next time when you get the craving, do remember this post. It will help you make informed choices. Stay happy and stay healthy! 🙂

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Everything you need to know about drinking from Earthen Pot- Back to Basics

Water consumption is crucial for maintaining good health, particularly in summertime, when temperatures are soaring. This is the time when we crave for a glass of chilled water. We step inside our homes after being under the scorching sun and the first thing we do is drink a glass of chilled water straight from the refrigerator. Drinking cold water gives an instant relief and helps beat the heat.

According to experts, drinking 8-10 glasses of water is necessary to stay hydrated. However, drinking water at a proper temperature is also important. Drinking cold water straight from the refrigerator has been linked with many health issues. Various researchers and even Ayurveda has claimed that refrigerated chilled water weakens our immune system and leads to various health problems.

Here are a few reasons why one should avoid cold water from the refrigerator:

  1. In Ayurveda, it is believed that consuming cold water can weaken your digestive fire, known as Agni, and impacts digestion. Normal body temperature is 37 degree C, and when you consume something very cold, your body compensates by spending energy to regulate this temperature. This energy should originally be used in the process of digestion and absorbing nutrients.
  2. Consuming cold water from the refrigerator can lead to mucus formation. Due to this, problems like sore throat, cold, excess mucus and throat swelling can occur quite frequently. A study conducted in 1978 in a journal CHEST published by American College of Chest Physicians found that nasal mucus thickened after drinking cold refrigerated water and persisted for more than half an hour.
  3. Cold water consumption can also have an effect on the heart rate. It can reduce the heart rate of your body. Research at the National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine in Taiwan found that drinking 250 ml of ice water significantly lowered the heart rate as compared to room temperature water.
  4. It can lead to sudden headaches. Cold water can cool down your nerves in your spine, which affects the brain and nervous system. This situation can increase problems for people who are already suffering from sinus or migraine.

So, what is the solution? For someone like me, I need cold water in summers to quench my thirst. But fret not!! The answer to your concern is- EARTHEN OR CLAY WATER POTS. Drinking water from clay pot or matka, as we call it, is nothing new to us Indians. Our ancestors have been storing water in clay pots for centuries. Earth is a natural coolant and also naturally contains many minerals that are healing for human body.

Benefits of Clay Pot water

  • NATURAL COOLER: Clay is porous in nature which helps in cooling the water. Now this naturally cold water unlike refrigerated water will not give you sore throat or cold.  Infact, you’ll be surprised to know that this earthen water is soothing for sore throat because of many minerals that seep into water through clay. 
  • ALKALINE: Clay water is more alkaline than normal water. Clay naturally increases the pH level of water. Alkaline clay reacts with water, in turn increasing its pH level. Hence, we don’t have to run after those expensive water filters which claim to increase pH level of water when we can naturally do it and it is inexpensive. 
  • BOOST DIGESTION: Since clay water is naturally alkaline, it boosts digestion and metabolism. Human body is known to be acidic in nature. Keeping your body alkaline will help you and your child get rid of acidity and indigestion related problems. 
  • PREVENTS SUN-STROKE: Its summer time and temperatures are soaring everywhere. There’s nothing better than drinking water from these earthen pots. This nutrient dense water, will cool your digestive system and will prevent you and your child from other heat related ailments.
  • NATURAL PURIFIER: Clay pots are not just useful to cool the water, but it also helps to purify it naturally. The porous micro-texture blocks contaminants in the water and makes it safe to drink.
  • ENHANCED TASTE AND FRESHNESS: Water stored in earthen pots acquire a distinct taste due to minerals present in clay. This earthiness enhances the taste of the water and makes it refreshing. Also, the porous surface of clay pot allows for air circulation preventing the water from stagnation and helps to maintain its freshness overtime.

How to first time use Clay Pot

When you buy the pot, rinse it well with fresh water 3 to 4 times. Then fill it with water. Keep the water filled pot overnight or for 10 to 12 hours, then empty it. Do this twice. This is called seasoning of clay pots before use. Now, keep the empty pot in the sun for 4 to 5 hours. The sun rays will naturally disinfect the pot. After keeping it in sun, fill it again with water. Empty it after 2 to 3 hours. Now the pot is ready for consumption.

How to clean a Clay Pot

It is recommended to clean the pot at least once a week. To clean all you have to do is keep the empty pot facing upside down in the sun for 4 to 5 hours. The sun will do its job. Afterwards, rinse it with fresh water 2 or 3 times and refill again for consumption. Do not use any dish washing liquids or soap to clean it. Never use a metal scrubber to clean. And never put your hand inside clay pot. This might contaminate it.

Since clay pots are porous in nature, it allows the natural salt and minerals from water to seep through the outside causing a white powdery build up on the outsides of the pot. This residue is not harmful, and it can easily be cleaned with a dry clean cloth.

Some Do’s and Don’ts of Clay Water Pot

  1. Store it in cool, dry place to prevent mold growth.
  2. Don’t store acidic or citrus – based liquids in the clay pot.
  3. Don’t store hot water in it.
  4. Do not keep it in the refrigerator.
  5. Since clay is fragile, handle it with care.

Bottomline

Clay is healing for human body. It is time we go back to our roots. Ancient India extensively used clay wares which is nothing but earth. It is one of the healthiest substances to store water. Water stored in these matkas makes one of the most refreshing drinks on a hot summer day. Introduce your children and family to this goodness. It will help you connect with mother earth and nature.

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Homemade Almond and Rose Sharbat Concentrate- Healthy Summer Delight

Summer is here and so is the need for delicious healthy summer coolers to quench our thirst. Drinking homemade sharbats is one of the natural ways to beat the heat and stay hydrated. Sharbat is usually a syrup made from fruit, flower extracts, and/or herbs. The syrup is then diluted with sugar, water and ice.
I have been a sucker for Badam (Almond) Sharbat all my growing years. I remember my mother used to make badam concentrate in summers. I would open the refrigerator and make myself a glass one after the other and before my siblings could lay a hand on it, the bottle of concentrate would have halved. That’s how much I loved it then and I still do.

It’s fairly simple to make a drink with concentrate. Just add few tablespoons of concentrate in a glass, add water and ice cubes. Mix well and enjoy. No need to add any sugar and stir endlessly. Every child can make it.

Before I share the recipe, here’s an interesting insight on sharbat. Did you know that, in India, sharbat was introduced by the Mughals in the 16th century, which was popularized by Babur in the Indian subcontinent who had sent for frequent loads of ice from the Himalayas to make this chilling beverage.

Almond sharbat also known as sherbet originated from Persia, which was flavoured with cardamom and kewra water. Since then, there have been many different versions of it. We will make one flavored with rose petals and musk melon seeds. Badam Sharbat is valued for its exceptional health benefits.

  • Almonds are enriched with vitamin E, fibre, magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids. It is a natural brain tonic for memory enhancement. It’s also cools and calms your body.
  • Rose petals on the other hand, are linked with stress reduction and relaxation. They are loaded with antioxidants. It’s a natural summer cooler. It improves digestion by calming your system. 
  • Muskmelon seeds are not only rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, K, E, niacin, zinc & magnesium but did you know that musk melon seeds are excellent to prevent seasonal flu. Keep the summer cold at bay by eating muskmelon seeds. They get rid of extra mucus in the body and help clear up congestion.

How to make this Concentrate?

Ingredients

  • Raw Almonds- 1 cup (250 ml measuring cup)
  • Filtered Water- 2 cups
  • Raw unprocessed Sugar- 1 1/4 cup (depends how sweet you prefer. I don’t like it overly sweet)
  • Black pepper peppercorn- 9-10
  • Cardamom- 4 to 5 pods, slightly crushed 
  • Musk Melon seeds- 3 tbsps
  • Rose Petals- 1/2 cup
  • Fennel seeds- 1 tsp

Instructions

  • Rinse almonds and soak overnight or for 6-8 hours. 
  • In another bowl soak melon seeds, rose petals, peppercorns & fennel seeds for 2-3 hours
  • Drain the water. Peel the almonds. Now, grind almonds, melon seeds, rose petals, fennel seeds & peppercorns into a fine paste. Use water to get a smooth thick paste. 
  • In a pan add water and sugar. Bring it to boil. Add crushed cardamom and simmer the syrup for 4-5 minutes. 
  • Now add the prepared almond paste and cook for 15 minutes on low flame or till the syrup thickens and reduces to almost half. 
  • Please remember that the syrup will also thicken on cooling. 
  • Once cooled, sieve the syrup with a soup strainer to get a smooth concentrate. 
  • Once it cools down, pour it into clean sterilized glass bottles.

How to prepare the Sharbat?

  • To prepare a glass of sharbat, pour 2 tablespoons of concentrate in a glass and top it with cold water. Stir well. Check for taste. If you want you can add more concentrate. Once ok, add ice cubes if you like. Cheers to good health!
  • You can also add this concentrate to cold milk and give it to your kids in summers.

Notes:

  1. Use indigenous variety of pink rose petals and not the ones used by florists. Damask roses are a powerfully fragrant variety and has a distinct flavor. You can use garden rose as well.
  2. I have used unprocessed raw cane sugar here.
  3. Store the Badam Rose Sharbat concentrate in the refrigerator for upto a month. Shake well before use.
  4. If you like to have more of rose flavor in the concentrate then, you can add couple of drops of rose essence or a tbsp of rose water.
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Refreshing Bael Sharbat / Wood Apple Summer Drink

Once upon a time, I couldn’t stand the taste of bael fruit. It was my grandfather’s favorite summer fruit, and he made it a tradition for every child to enjoy bael sharbat during the scorching heat. Those days, bael fruits arrived fresh from our village. Fast forward to urban life, and now I find myself craving these regional delights. I make it a point to visit the local market and grab some bael fruit to whip up the sharbat at least once or twice every summer. Funny how our tastes change with time, isn’t it?

It is very easy to make and it is also very amazing in taste!

Ingredients:

1 ripe bael fruit
Lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Black salt, to taste
Cold water
Ice cubes
Sugar, to taste
Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Begin by cracking open the ripe bael fruit and scooping out the pulp. Discard the seeds and any hard parts.
In a bowl, add the bael pulp and cover it with water. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to soften.
After soaking, strain the pulp through a fine mesh strainer to separate the juice from the fibers.
Add more water to the strained juice according to your desired consistency.

Mix in sugar, lemon juice, and black salt to taste. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess according to your preference.
Stir well until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved.


Fill serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour the prepared bael sharbat over the ice in each glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing and flavorful bael sharbat!

You can make your own bael sharbat at home or you can buy from numerous brands available online as well as offline. In case you are looking for a homemade, preservative free and authentic experience, without getting into hassle of making your own, you can always explore Masala Monk’s Bael Sharbat, which ships all over India.

Bael Sharbat isn’t just a refreshing summer drink; it’s a testament to the timeless wisdom of our ancestors. Unlike sodas and colas that can harm your health, this homemade concoction offers both flavor and nutrition in every sip. By embracing these age-old recipes and prioritizing homemade drinks, we not only honor our culinary heritage but also nourish our bodies with the goodness of nature. Here’s to savoring the simple joys and flavors of life, one glass of Bael Sharbat at a time!