Hangover Remedies from the Old Days

Myths and Beliefs About Hangover Remedies Through the Centuries and Across Cultures

Since the dawn of time and across all cultures, alcohol has been consumed in large quantities—this has led to countless“hangovers,” but also to various local myths and beliefs about the best ways to prevent or treat them.

In ancient Greece, amethyst was considered a stone whose name derives from the Greek “amethystos,” meaning “protection against drunkenness.” The Greeks therefore placed an amethyst in their glass or wore it as a necklace while drinking to avoid a hangover.

In ancient Egypt, the bay leaf—which was typically presented to athletes, philosophers, and others—served as a remedy. The Egyptians wore laurel wreaths so they would not fall ill the next day.

In the 17th century, an English doctor developed a hangover remedy: Goddard’s Drops (also known as English Head Drops). They were said to cure numerous ailments, including hangovers, and consisted of ammonia, dried viper, and powdered skull.

Since every country has its own remedies, here’s a quick tour of hangover cures from around the world today.

In many countries, vegetable juices or pickling juices are known for their hangover-relieving effects.

For example, there is sauerkraut juice in Russia, cucumber water, or beet juice in Poland—the Leche de Tigre in Peru (the marinade made from dried fish), and even beet juice in Turkey.

Some states have also developed their own recipes.

In Germany, for example, there's the " hangover breakfast": marinated herring rolled with pickled cucumbers and onions.

There's also the menudo in Mexico (a soup served with hot chili peppers and tortillas) or the Leventa de Muertos (a pork stew) in Bolivia …

For the bravest among you: In Hungary, the recommendation is to mix schnapps with sparrow droppings.

And finally, there are even more unusual methods. For example, in Puerto Rico, rubbing a lemon under your armpit; in Estonia, sleeping in vodka-soaked socks; in Vietnam, sticking tape to your forehead; or in Ireland, burying yourself in the sand.

In France, there's HANG-OVER, a dietary supplement that helps break down alcohol and reduces the side effects of alcohol consumption!