Buzz
Alcohol has significantly influenced human history, primarily because, for centuries, drinking fresh water was unsafe and posed serious health risks. Fermenting fruits and brewing beer offered a safer alternative, as ethanol eliminates harmful bacteria. However, the enjoyment and advantages of alcohol come with a drawback—the dreaded hangover. Since the dawn of drinking, people have endured its aftereffects and sought ways to alleviate them. Across different eras and cultures, various remedies have emerged, ranging from peculiar to potentially effective.
P.S. Naturally, the most effective way to avoid a hangover is to refrain from drinking alcohol altogether. I avoid everything, even abstaining from abstinence.
10. Ancient Roman Remedies
The Romans, much like their Greek predecessors, had a deep appreciation for wine. While they typically consumed it diluted with water, it wasn’t uncommon for individuals to overindulge, despite societal disapproval. Pliny the Elder documented the habits and consequences of excessive drinking, noting-
“…a drunkard never witnesses the sunrise, thereby shortening his life of indulgence. Wine brings a pale complexion, drooping eyelids, sore eyes, and trembling hands incapable of holding a full cup steady. It inflicts restless nights haunted by Furies and rewards inebriation with dreams of forbidden desires. The following day, the drinker’s breath reeks of wine, and his memory fails him entirely. This is what they call ‘seizing life’s moments,’ yet while others lose only the past day, the drunkard loses the next as well.”
How does one recover from a hangover and reclaim the day? Pliny proposed unconventional remedies, such as crushing snail heads and applying them to the forehead to relieve headaches. Another suggested cure involved frying and consuming an entire small bird. However, neither of these methods has gained scientific validation.
For those seeking to quit alcohol without enduring a lengthy process, Pliny offered a swift solution: mix owl eggs with wine and consume the concoction for three days. This, he claimed, would miraculously eliminate the desire to drink.
9. Eastern European Remedies
In several European nations, tripe soup is considered a potent remedy for hangovers. Tripe, derived from the stomach lining of pigs or cows, is rich in nutrients, including fatty acids and protein. As this list demonstrates, soups are highly valued for their ability to combat hangovers. They are not only soothing and comforting but also replenish the body’s need for fluids and salt.
8. Japanese Remedies
The Japanese are renowned for their love of sake, which often leads to hangovers and karaoke sessions. While the singing may be inevitable, they have devised remedies for hangovers. A popular solution is umeboshi, pickled and dried Japanese apricots. Although the efficacy of umeboshi remains unverified, they are also believed to have anti-aging properties, potentially offering multiple health benefits simultaneously.
A more potent remedy involves consuming clams or other seafood in a broth rich in salt. This helps rehydrate the body and replenishes essential minerals lost during a night of drinking.
7. Sicilian Remedies
Traditionally, dried bull penis was a popular hangover cure. As a protein-rich source, it was believed to be effective. Given that a dried bull penis can even be fashioned into a walking stick, the time spent chewing through it might naturally allow the hangover to subside on its own.
6. United States Remedies
The prairie oyster is a revitalizing cocktail designed to help you recover after a night of heavy drinking. It consists of a raw egg with the yolk intact, resembling an oyster, combined with Worcestershire sauce, an optional shot of spirits, Tabasco sauce, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The mixture is consumed in one gulp, much like an oyster, and is said to energize you for the day ahead. The egg’s protein aids in hangover recovery, though it’s advisable to follow it with a large glass of water to combat dehydration.
5. Russian Remedies
In Russia, beer was not traditionally viewed as alcoholic, especially when compared to stronger spirits. This cultural affinity for alcohol has led to various hangover remedies. One popular suggestion is drinking rassol, the brine from pickled foods, which is rich in salt and spices. This remedy is thought to have effects similar to the Japanese broth, aiding in recovery.
Another remedy involves drinking kvass the morning after. Kvass is a lightly alcoholic drink created by fermenting dried rye bread with sugar and yeast. However, the remedy itself might seem more unappealing than the hangover it aims to cure.
For a regal solution, there’s the Nikolashka. This involves a slice of lemon topped with sugar and ground coffee, consumed in a single bite.
4. Mongolian Remedies
Kumis, a fermented mare’s milk, is widely enjoyed in Mongolia. The fermentation process reduces lactose, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance. While typically low in alcohol, it can be strengthened, though getting drunk on it is challenging. With Mongolia’s growing vodka industry, overindulgence is easier. However, the traditional hangover cure—pickled sheep eyes in tomato juice—might deter excessive drinking. While the tomato juice aids recovery, the sheep eyes, if consumed, provide a protein boost, though the idea might be unsettling for some.
3. British Remedies
The British are known as Europe’s binge drinkers. Despite a reputation for formality, they don’t hold back when it comes to excessive drinking. So, what’s the solution for a hangover? In 2009, the University of Newcastle declared the bacon sandwich the ultimate post-drinking remedy. Bacon is rich in amino acids, while bread and ketchup supply the necessary carbohydrates. The salt in bacon replenishes lost electrolytes, and the fat soothes the stomach. This reinforces the belief that the classic British Fry Up is a cure-all for nearly any ailment.
The British also perfected the ‘Hair of the Dog’ remedy, which involves drinking alcohol the morning after to alleviate hangover symptoms. The name originates from the old belief that placing hair from a rabid dog in the wound could cure its bite. This method works temporarily because ethanol slows the metabolism of methanol, a hangover contributor found in small amounts in alcohol. While it provides temporary relief, the hangover may only be postponed.
2. Scottish Remedies
The Highland Fling is a traditional Scottish remedy made from a pint of buttermilk, the residual liquid from butter churning, thickened with cornflour and seasoned generously with salt and pepper. This concoction is excellent for rehydration. The fat soothes the stomach, while the lactose boosts blood sugar levels to help you feel more alert. Unfortunately, during my time in Scotland, I was never offered this remedy, opting instead for the modern hangover cure of cold pizza and a can of Irn-Bru.
1. German Remedies
In Germany, the term for hangover, Katzenjammer, evokes the wailing of cats, symbolizing the discomfort of those suffering from one. Given the country’s association with Oktoberfest, it’s no surprise they have numerous remedies to silence the ‘cats.’ One such method involves consuming meat and bananas the following day. This combination is practical, as bananas provide sugar and potassium, while meat helps calm an unsettled stomach.
A classic remedy involves rollmops paired with beer. For the uninitiated, a rollmop is a pickled herring fillet, often wrapped around a filling. This highlights a recurring theme in traditional hangover cures: the frequent use of pickled foods.
