Liver & Detox

Hangover & Alcohol Recovery

Replenish what alcohol depletes — water, electrolytes, B-vitamins, and glutathione precursors — while soothing the gut and accelerating acetaldehyde clearance.

Prevention

Key nutrients: B-complex (especially B1, B6, folate), magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium, NAC, glutathione, vitamin C.

Eat regularly: Bone broth, eggs, bananas, coconut water, sauerkraut, ginger tea, sweet potatoes, honey, miso soup, prickly pear.

Drink one glass of mineral water between alcoholic drinks; eat fat and protein before drinking; take NAC and B-complex before bed, not the morning after.

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

HerbStrong evidence

1600 IU extract taken 5 hours before drinking — clinically shown to reduce hangover severity by ~50%, especially nausea and dry mouth.

NAC (N-acetylcysteine)

OtherStrong evidence

600–1200 mg before drinking and again before bed — regenerates glutathione to clear toxic acetaldehyde.

Milk thistle (silymarin)

HerbStrong evidence

150–300 mg before drinking and the next morning — protects liver cells from oxidative damage.

B-complex (high-dose)

VitaminStrong evidence

Full B-complex with extra B1 (100 mg thiamine) before bed — alcohol burns through B-vitamins and B1 deficiency drives the worst symptoms.

Ginger

HerbStrong evidence

Fresh ginger tea or 500 mg capsule for morning-after nausea and stomach upset.

Coconut water & sea salt

FoodStrong evidence

500 ml coconut water with a generous pinch of sea salt rehydrates and replaces potassium and sodium fast.

Raw honey

FoodTraditional use

1–2 tbsp on toast or in tea — fructose helps the liver metabolize remaining alcohol and stabilizes blood sugar.

Nux Vomica 30C (homeopathic)

OtherTraditional use

3–5 pellets every 1–2 hours — the classic homeopathic remedy for hangover with headache, nausea, irritability, and intolerance of light and noise.

A note of caution. Natural doesn't mean risk-free. Herbs and supplements can interact with medications, affect pregnancy, or worsen certain conditions. Speak with a qualified clinician before starting a new regimen, especially if you take prescriptions.