DIY Herbal Hangover Tincture Recipe

An easy DIY herbal hangover tincture to have in your stash to ease your pounding headache, cleanse the liver, and ease the tummy the next morning after a fun night (or, if you are like me… a not so wild night of accidentally drinking too much wine after a tough mom day). This hangover tincture should help ease the most common hangover symptoms including headache, nausea, and digestive issues.

You know that feeling when you wake up and your head feels like a construction site, and your stomach is doing somersaults? Fear not, for I have concocted a magical elixir that will have you feeling like a million bucks in no time. Okay… probably not. But I do hope it helps!

This is not professional medical advice, nor am I condoning excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse. I am not a doctor or a medical professional. I believe that herbal tinctures can be the best way to ease the symptoms of a hangover without further taxing the liver, as some over-the-counter meds might. Herbal remedies are indeed medicine, so be sure to do your research or contact a medical professional, as herbs can interact with any other drugs you may be taking. You can read my full medical disclaimer for more.

What is a hangover anyways?

A hangover is a collection of symptoms that occur after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. The symptoms can include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, dehydration, and a general feeling of discomfort. Hangovers typically occur the morning after a night of heavy drinking, although they can occur at any time during the day. The severity of a hangover depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of alcohol consumed, the type of alcohol, the individual’s tolerance for alcohol, and other factors such as dehydration and sleep deprivation.

I hope you enjoy the recipe and it brings you a little hangover relief! You probably won’t save it because… “I’ll NeVeR have another alcoholic drink again” (said the liar). Maybe you should Pin it for later, just in case! For a friend.

DIY Herbal Hangover Tincture Recipe

My favorite place to purchase herbs online is Starwest Botanicals! The links below are affiliate links, where I may make a small commission on your purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp fennel seeds
• 2 tbsp chopped ginger root (you can use fresh ginger or dried)
• 2 tbsp milk thistle seeds
• 2 tbsp ground or chopped turmeric
• 2 tbsp dried peppermint leaves
• 3/4 cup grain alcohol, vodka, or brandy (I use Everclear for this- Hair of the dog!)

Other optional additions: lemon balm (helps indigestion), chamomile (relaxing), dandelion roots (anti-inflammatory effect), and California poppy (enhances sleep).

If you can’t stand any more alcohol, there are ways to remove alcohol from herbal tinctures.

Using Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs

When using dried herbs, you want your jar to be about half herbs, half alcohol.

If you use fresh herbs, you will want to fill the jar to the very top with herbs, then pour over the alcohol.

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Instructions:

1.Combine the fennel seeds, ginger, milk thistle seeds, ground turmeric, and dried peppermint leaves in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. You can use a funnel here if you’d like… so you don’t spill the herbs all over the counter (speaking from experience).

2. Pour the vodka or brandy over the herbs, making sure they are completely covered. Shake the jar well to combine.

3. Place the jar in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks, shaking it daily to ensure the herbs infuse properly.

4. After 6 weeks, strain the tincture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass bottle with a dropper. You can discard or compost the plant matter.

5. To use, add 1-2 dropperfuls of the tincture directly under the tongue or into a glass of juice. Repeat as necessary until symptoms improve.

Hangover Tincture Use and Storage

I prefer to take my hangover tincture in orange juice, as I usually need a sugar boost when I am hungover. For the quickest results, take directly under the tongue.

Remember, herbal medicine needs to be taken a lot more often than conventional drugs you may be used to. Take every 30 minutes to an hour as necessary.

Your best bet is to chase it with a glass of water, because you are likely also dehydrated.

To store, keep in a dark-colored, airtight bottle out of direct sunlight. Herbal tinctures usually last up to three years for best results.

Benefits of Herbs for Hangovers

• Fennel helps to ease digestive discomfort and soothe an upset stomach.
• Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Milk thistle supports liver function and helps to detoxify the body.
• Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Peppermint can help to ease digestive discomfort and soothe nausea.

There are a few reasons why someone might choose to take a tincture instead of a tea:

1. Convenience: Tinctures are easy to take on-the-go since they don’t require any special equipment like a tea kettle or strainer. They can be taken directly from the dropper or added to water or juice.
2. Potency: Tinctures are highly concentrated herbal extracts, which means that they contain a higher concentration of active compounds compared to teas. This can make them a more potent and effective way to deliver therapeutic doses of herbs.
3. Shelf life: Tinctures have a longer shelf life than teas since the alcohol or glycerin used to make them acts as a preservative. This means that tinctures can be stored for months or even years without spoiling, whereas teas have a shorter shelf life and can spoil more quickly.
4. Taste: Some people may prefer the taste of tinctures over teas, as tinctures can be made with alcohol, which can help to extract the flavors and aromas of the herbs more effectively. Additionally, tinctures can be flavored with natural sweeteners like honey or stevia to make them more palatable.

If you can stomach a tea, turmeric and ginger tea is an excellent option to ease your symptoms and provide much-needed hydration.

Other Natural Hangover Cures

There is no definitive cure for a hangover, but there are several things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and make yourself feel better. Here are some of the best ways to cure a hangover according to the Mayo Clinic: “Fill your water bottle, have a snack, take a pain reliever, go back to bed.”

1. Hydrate: One of the primary causes of a hangover is dehydration, so it’s important to drink plenty of water or other hydrating fluids like coconut water or sports drinks.
2. Rest: Getting plenty of rest is essential to help your body recover from the effects of alcohol. Sleep can help you feel better and reduce the symptoms of a hangover.
3. Eat: Eating a healthy meal, preferably with protein and complex carbohydrates, can help raise your blood sugar levels and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to recover.
4. Vitamins and minerals: Taking vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Magnesium can help replenish the nutrients lost during alcohol consumption.
5. Avoid alcohol: The only surefire way to avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol altogether or limit your intake to moderate levels.

It’s important to note that while these remedies may alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, they won’t necessarily cure it completely. The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it altogether.

What are your favorite hangover remedies? Share in the comments below and help out the community!

Looking for more herbal goodness?

• How to Remove Alcohol from Herbal Tinctures
• Herbal Digestive Bitters