As a final resort – take the ‘hair of the dog’

‘TIS the season to be jolly, pop a bottle or two of bubbly and quaff wine, beer and one too many cocktails, only for a hangover to set in hours later – a fuzzy head and a thirst that not even the Vic Falls can quench.

There are many remedies and old wives tales to nurse hangovers. Here are a few:

Most barmen swear the Bloody Mary is the mother of all hangover cures. The spicier the better.

There is also an array of cocktails such as Rossini, which is a concoction of strawberry juice and sparkling wine, or a refreshing mint julep made of whisky, soda and lots of fresh mint.

A “full monty” breakfast or a greasy hamburger and milkshake could also do the trick.

For party animals who prefer medicinal remedies there is the powerful antioxidant, Milk Thistle, which helps the liver break down alcohol in the body. Artichoke extract also breaks down alcohol. These should be taken before you start drinking.

Ganief Jacobs, assistant manager and lifestyle consultant at the Wellness Warehouse, V&A Waterfront, said one of the best remedies on the market was Sfera Hangover Remedy.

“You get four tablets.Take two tablets before and after drinking to alleviate a hangover.”

Irene Vogiatzis, owner of Urban Fruit , a juice store, said: “Raw juice helps a hangover.” She recommended The Veggie Green juice– kale, spinach, ginger, lime, celery and cucumber. She said anything that includes carrots, green apples and green vegetables and beetroot helps clean the liver.

On the web, the Polish suggest gulping down the juice from sour pickles and sauerkraut to decrease a headache and settle the stomach. Richard Carkeek, a science student at RhodesUniversity, said, “Drink tons of ice water, take Panados and Rehidrat sachets and get lots of sleep.” Pharmaceutical products that promote liver recovery such as Essentiale are also useful.

Health experts suggest braver revellers can hit the gym and burn off the alcohol or, alternatively, take an ice-cold shower.

As a last resort you can always have some hair of the dog that bit you – an ice cold beer or tequila shooter will do.