By Dr. Surya Bhagwati
Chief In- House Doctor
BAMS, DHA, DHHCM, DHBTC | 30+ Years of Experience
While we all love to let our hair down and enjoy a good party, the after-effects of alcohol can often leave us feeling anything but celebratory. From a pounding headache to an upset stomach, the consequences of a night of heavy drinking can be hard to shake off. But what if we told you that there's a natural and holistic way on how to reduce the alcohol effect?
That's right, Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, has a wealth of remedies that can help you recover from a night of excess and feel like your best self again and can help to reduce the alcohol effects and feel rejuvenated and refreshed in no time.
The ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda focuses on achieving equilibrium and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. It employs a holistic approach to health and offers various techniques to prevent hangovers. Ayurvedic practices aim to restore balance and minimize the harmful alcohol side effects on the body.
So, what happens when you drink alcohol every day? Drinking alcohol daily can have physical, mental, and social consequences, such as liver damage, dependency and addiction, mental health disorders, impaired cognitive function, relationships and social problems, legal and financial consequences, and physical dependence and withdrawal.
Read more: Protect Your Liver Without Quitting Alcohol | Best Tips & Medicine
Ayurvedic Remedies to Reduce Alcohol Effects
We should place a high priority on detoxification, dosha balancing, and making dietary and lifestyle changes to lessen the long-term effects of alcohol on your body.
Here are 7 remedies to reduce alcohol effects:
- Ginger: Ginger is a potent herb known for its digestive and detoxifying properties. Consuming ginger tea or chewing on fresh ginger slices before or after drinking can aid in digestion and reduce the alcohol effect on the body.
- Milk Thistle: Milk thistle is a powerful herb that supports liver health and detoxification. Taking milk thistle supplements or drinking milk thistle tea can help protect the liver from alcohol side effects on the body.
- Triphala: Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of three fruits—Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. It aids in digestion, detoxification, and maintaining overall health. Consuming Triphala powder mixed with warm water before bedtime can support liver function and assist in how to sober up fast.
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Vitamin C and antioxidants can be found in abundance in amla. It helps strengthen the liver and boosts immunity. Consuming fresh amla juice or incorporating amla powder into your diet can promote liver health and reduce the alcohol effect on the body.
- Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb known for its stress-reducing and calming properties. It can help alleviate anxiety, aid in balancing the nervous system and can act as ayurvedic medicine for quitting alcohol . Consuming ashwagandha supplements or adding ashwagandha powder to warm milk before bed can help reduce the mental and emotional impact of alcohol consumption.
- Herbal Tea: Sip on herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, or licorice root after drinking alcohol. These teas have soothing properties that can aid in digestion, promote relaxation, and reduce the discomfort associated with alcohol consumption.
- Anti-hangover Capsules: Dr. Vaidya’s Livitup specifically designed to assist with alcohol detoxification and support overall well-being. It works to help combat hangovers by preventing the buildup of acetaldehyde, the toxin responsible for hangovers.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Alcohol Effects
In addition to Ayurvedic remedies, incorporating certain lifestyle changes can help to reduce the alcohol effects. Here are some Ayurvedic lifestyle recommendations:
- Practice Mindful Eating: Prioritize a balanced and nourishing diet. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals. Avoid heavy, greasy, and processed foods that can burden the digestive system and contribute to alcohol's impact.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially before and after consuming alcohol. Hydration supports detoxification and helps minimize the dehydrating long-term effects of alcohol on the body.
- Practice Pranayama: Engage in pranayama, or yogic breathing exercises, to promote relaxation and balance the nervous system. Deep breathing techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Shitali (cooling breath) can help calm the mind and reduce the desire for excessive alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a Regular Sleep Routine: Aim for a consistent sleep schedule and prioritize getting enough restful sleep. Proper sleep supports the body's natural healing processes and helps restore balance. This way it can help in how to sober up quickly.
- Exercise Regularly: Include regular physical activity in your daily routine. Exercise promotes circulation, aids in detoxification, and releases endorphins, which can uplift mood and reduce the urge to rely on alcohol for stress relief.
- Practice Stress Management Techniques: Explore stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. These practices on how to reduce stress can be a trigger for excessive alcohol consumption.
These lifestyle changes are meant to support overall well-being and can help to reduce the alcohol effects. However, responsible drinking practices, moderation, and self-awareness remain vital for maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol. Social and cultural norms, genetics, mental health issues, environmental, and psychological factors, and marketing and advertising can all contribute to the causes of alcohol abuse.
Understanding these causes of alcohol abuse can help develop prevention strategies, early intervention, and effective treatment approaches for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse.
In conclusion, Ayurveda offers a remarkable approach to reducing the alcohol effect of hangovers. By embracing Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha for stress relief and anti-hangover remedies can be beneficial to anyone who enjoys their drink.
Dr. Surya Bhagwati
BAMS (Ayurveda), DHA (Hospital Admin), DHHCM (Health Management), DHBTC (Herbal Beauty and Cosmetology)
Dr. Surya Bhagwati is an established, well-known Ayurvedic expert with over 30 years of experience in treating and consulting in the field of Ayurveda. She is known for the timely, efficient, and patient-centred delivery of quality health care. The patients under her care receive a unique holistic treatment comprising not only medicinal treatment but also spiritual empowerment.