Best Home Remedies for Hangover: Relief that Works
Feel better fast after a night out. Discover safe, science-backed hangover remedies and detox tips that actually help, plus what to avoid and when to seek care.
Written by Dr. Dhankecha Mayank Dineshbhai
Reviewed by Dr. Vasanthasree Nair MBBS
Last updated on 3rd Dec, 2025
Introduction
A rough morning after drinking can make even simple tasks feel impossible; headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog are common. While there’s no instant hangover cure, there are practical, evidence-informed hangover remedies you can use at home to feel better sooner. Below you’ll also find smart, safe Detox tips to support your body as it recovers, plus myths to avoid and clear guidance on when to seek medical care.
What Actually Causes A Hangover?
Understanding what’s happening in your body helps you choose the right relief.
- Dehydration and electrolyte loss: Alcohol increases urine production by suppressing antidiuretic hormone, so you lose water and electrolytes. This can cause thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, weakness, and headache.
- Sleep disruption: Alcohol fragments sleep and reduces REM, leaving you tired and foggy even if you slept long hours.
- Stomach irritation and nausea: Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and increases acid, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
- Inflammation and immune changes: Alcohol can trigger inflammatory responses that contribute to malaise, aches, and mood changes.
- Blood vessel effects: Dilation of blood vessels in the head can worsen headaches.
- Low blood sugar: Alcohol can drop glucose levels in some people, which may cause shakiness, fatigue, and mood changes.
- Congeners: Darker spirits (like bourbon and red wine) generally contain more congeners, fermentation byproducts linked in studies to worse hangovers than clear spirits like vodka.
Evidence-Based Hangover Remedies You Can Try At Home
These strategies are practical, low-risk, and supported by what we know about how alcohol affects the body. Combine a few for best results.
1) Rehydrate Smartly
- Start with water: Sip steadily rather than chug to avoid nausea.
- Add electrolytes: Oral rehydration solutions, broths, or low-sugar sports drinks help replace
- sodium and potassium. If you’re vomiting, tiny, frequent sips or ice chips are gentler.
- Limit very sugary beverages: High sugar can worsen stomach upset for some people.
2) Eat A Gentle, Balanced Meal
- Aim for easy-to-digest carbs plus protein and a little healthy fat. Examples: toast with nut butter, eggs with rice, oatmeal with yogurt, bananas, broth-based soups.
- Small, frequent meals are often better tolerated than a big plate all at once.
- Greasy food isn’t a cure; if it appeals and doesn’t upset your stomach, a modest portion is fine, but heavy, high-fat meals can worsen reflux or nausea for some.
3) Soothe Nausea
- Ginger: Ginger tea, chews, or capsules can help reduce nausea; it’s well-studied for pregnancy and post-surgery nausea and is widely used for motion sickness. While not specific to hangovers, it’s a reasonable option.
- Peppermint tea or aromatherapy: May ease queasiness and tension.
- Rest your stomach: If you’re vomiting, pause solid food and focus on sips of fluid until you can keep things down.
4) Manage Pain And Headache Safely
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin can help headaches and body aches. Take the lowest effective dose with food and water. Avoid it if you have ulcers, kidney disease, bleeding risks, certain heart conditions, or if a clinician has told you to avoid NSAIDs.
- Avoid acetaminophen (paracetamol) right after heavy drinking. Alcohol strains the liver; combining it with acetaminophen can increase the risk of liver injury.
- Try a cool compress on your forehead or a quiet, dark room for light and sound sensitivity.
5) Prioritize Quality Rest
- Gentle rest promotes recovery, especially if your sleep was disrupted. A daytime nap or an earlier bedtime can help reset your sleep debt. Keep naps short (20–30 minutes) if longer naps make you groggy.
6) Light Movement And Fresh Air
- If you can tolerate it, a brief walk and deep breathing can improve circulation and mood. Skip intense workouts until you’re rehydrated and feeling steadier.
7) Choose Beverages Wisely For Comfort
- Coffee or tea may improve alertness but can irritate the stomach and add to dehydration in some people. If you drink them, pair them with water and avoid large amounts.
- Avoid alcohol (“hair of the dog”). It may delay symptoms temporarily, but it does not help your body recover and can lead to more dehydration and risk.
8) Consider, But Don’t Count On, Certain Supplements
- Limited research suggests prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) extract may modestly reduce some symptoms, likely via anti-inflammatory effects. The evidence is small and mixed.
- Popular supplements such as activated charcoal, milk thistle, high-dose vitamins, dihydromyricetin (DHM), or N-acetylcysteine are not proven hangover treatments. If you choose to try any supplement, review medication interactions and safety with a clinician or pharmacist.
Consult a Top General Physician
Smart Detox Tips For The Day After Drinking
Your liver and kidneys do the real “detox” work. You can support them, safely, by giving your body what it needs and avoiding extra strain.
Hydration Plan
- Morning: 1–2 glasses of water soon after waking.
- Midday: Continue sipping water or an electrolyte drink; aim for pale-yellow urine.
- Afternoon: Broth, fruits with high water content (watermelon, oranges), or herbal teas.
Gentle, Steady Fuel
- Carbs for quick energy (oats, toast, rice, fruit).
- Protein to steady blood sugar (eggs, yogurt, tofu, legumes).
- Potassium-rich options (bananas, potatoes, leafy greens) support electrolyte balance.
Support Sleep And Stress Recovery
- Quiet time, reduced screen exposure, and a consistent bedtime help your nervous system settle.
Light stretching, breathing exercises, or a short walk can improve how you feel without overexertion.
Avoid Strain
- Skip further alcohol.
- Avoid smoking or vaping if possible; they can aggravate headaches and nausea.
- Hold off on hot tubs, saunas, or extreme heat. Sweating it out can worsen dehydration and dizziness.
Time Is Essential
- Your body clears alcohol gradually; there’s no way to speed metabolism meaningfully. Plan rest, fluids, and food, and give it time.
What Not To Do? (Common Myths And Risks)
- Hair of the dog: Drinking more alcohol delays symptoms and adds strain to your body. It doesn’t help you recover.
- Activated charcoal after drinking: It does not bind alcohol effectively once absorbed and won’t cure a hangover.
- Mega-dose vitamins and “detox” cleanses: There’s no strong evidence that they resolve hangovers. Some can be harsh on your stomach or interact with medications.
- Energy drinks: Caffeine can mask fatigue but may worsen jitteriness, palpitations, and stomach upset.
- Overexerting or sauna sessions: These increase fluid loss and can make dizziness or fainting more likely.
Prevention Tips For Next Time
Small changes before and during drinking can significantly reduce next-day discomfort.
- Eat before and during drinking: A meal with protein, fiber, and healthy fats slows alcohol absorption.
- Pace yourself: Space drinks over time; alternate each alcoholic drink with water or a nonalcoholic beverage.
- Choose clearer spirits and lighter drinks: Beverages lower in congeners (e.g., vodka, gin) may lead to milder symptoms than darker spirits and red wines.
- Know your “standard drink”: Many mixed drinks contain more than one standard serving.
- Set a limit and stick to it: Social plans are more enjoyable when you feel well the next day.
- Avoid mixing alcohol with sedatives, opioids, or certain medications: Dangerous interactions can occur. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about your medicines.
- Don’t drive: Only drive when you’re fully sober and alert.
When To Seek Medical Help?
Call emergency services immediately if someone has signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Confusion or unresponsiveness
- Vomiting while unconscious or repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
- Blue-tinged or very pale skin, low body temperature
Contact A Clinician Promptly If You
- Can’t keep fluids down for 24 hours
- Have severe dehydration signs: very dark or little urine, dizziness when standing, rapid heartbeat
- Notice black or bloody vomit or stools, severe abdominal pain
- Have a severe headache, unlike prior headaches, or a stiff neck
- Are pregnant, have diabetes, heart, liver, or kidney disease, take blood thinners, or have other conditions that can complicate recovery
Simple Day-After Plan You Can Follow
- Within an hour of waking: 1–2 glasses of water; ginger or peppermint tea if nauseated.
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with yogurt and banana, or toast with eggs; add a piece of fruit.
- Mid-morning: Short walk outside; small bottle of electrolyte drink.
- Lunch: Broth-based soup with rice or noodles and lean protein.
- Afternoon: Nap 20–30 minutes if needed; continue sipping water.
- Pain relief: If needed and safe for you, a small dose of ibuprofen with food.
- Evening: Light dinner, herbal tea, early bedtime.
Consult a Top General Physician
Consult a Top General Physician
Dr. Vivek D
General Physician
4 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Dhanraj K
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
25 Years • MBBS, MD Internal Medicine - Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
Hyderabad
Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
(400+ Patients)
Dr. Swarna Deepak K
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
20 Years • MBBS: MD (Internal Medicine) MRCP (UK), EDIC (European Diploma in Critical Care), IDCCM, IFCCM (Critical Care), FID (Royal Liverpool Academy)
Hyderabad
Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
(400+ Patients)
Dr. Harshendra Jaiswal
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS , MD (General medicine)
Kolkata
108 DHANA DHANVANTARI Clinic, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Swagata Sircar
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
Consult a Top General Physician
Dr. Vivek D
General Physician
4 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Dhanraj K
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
25 Years • MBBS, MD Internal Medicine - Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
Hyderabad
Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
(400+ Patients)
Dr. Swarna Deepak K
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
20 Years • MBBS: MD (Internal Medicine) MRCP (UK), EDIC (European Diploma in Critical Care), IDCCM, IFCCM (Critical Care), FID (Royal Liverpool Academy)
Hyderabad
Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
(400+ Patients)
Dr. Harshendra Jaiswal
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS , MD (General medicine)
Kolkata
108 DHANA DHANVANTARI Clinic, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Swagata Sircar
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
8 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best hangover cure?
There isn’t a true instant cure. The most reliable relief comes from rest, rehydration with electrolytes, gentle food to stabilize blood sugar, and time. Pain relievers like ibuprofen may help if safe for you.
Does coffee help with a hangover?
Coffee can boost alertness, but it may irritate your stomach and doesn’t rehydrate you. If you drink coffee, pair it with water and avoid large amounts.
Is greasy food good for hangovers?
Eating helps, but heavy, greasy meals can worsen reflux or nausea for some people. Choose easy-to-digest carbs plus protein (e.g., toast with eggs, oatmeal with yoghurt).
Is it safe to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) after drinking?
Avoid acetaminophen soon after heavy drinking because it can stress the liver. If you need pain relief, ibuprofen or aspirin may help some people, use the lowest effective dose with food and only if it’s safe for you. When in doubt, ask a clinician or pharmacist.
Do detox drinks or supplements work for hangovers?
There’s no strong evidence that commercial “detox” products cure hangovers. Hydration, rest, and time do the heavy lifting. Some supplements have limited or mixed evidence; discuss safety and interactions before trying them.