Ah, the hangover: that all-too-familiar and unwelcome guest the morning after a night of overindulgence.
Whether it’s the pounding headache, the queasy stomach or the existential regret that you just had to have one more shot, we’ve all been there.
South Africa, with its thriving nightlife and braais that sometimes go a little too well, is no stranger to creative hangover cures. But how far would you go to cure the post-party blues?
Let’s examine some of the weirdest hangover remedies on the internet and see if they’re worth a shot (pun intended).
What causes a hangover?
Before we explore these eccentric remedies, let’s get one thing straight: the hangover is a multi-front war being waged in your body. Excessive alcohol causes dehydration, irritates your stomach lining, disrupts your sleep and leaves you with electrolyte imbalances.
Your blood vessels expand, triggering headaches, while your liver works overtime to metabolise the alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxin that makes you feel absolutely dreadful.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic cure for a hangover. Your best bet is time, hydration and maybe a little TLC. But since when have humans settled for the boring, sensible option?
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1. Pickle juice – Eastern Europe’s salty saviour
If you’ve ever cracked open a jar of pickles and thought: “What if I drank this brine?”, you’re not alone. Pickle juice is a beloved hangover remedy, especially in Eastern Europe. Packed with potassium and sodium, it helps replenish the electrolytes your body desperately craves after a night of heavy drinking.
South Africans who love their gherkins might find this cure oddly appealing! In fact, pickle juice has become so trendy that some bars in New York serve it as a chaser for bourbon. But according to Alexandra, a Reddit user from Switzerland: “It’s more of a test of courage than a cure.” Would you dare?
2. Prairie Oyster – the Wild West’s hangover hero
Straight out of the American frontier, the Prairie Oyster is a hangover cocktail that’s bizarre, bold and surprisingly scientific. The recipe? A raw egg yolk floating in tomato juice, with a dash of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt and pepper.
While it might look like something from a horror movie, the egg yolk contains cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde the toxin causing your hangover misery. Sure, it may not sound like your Sunday morning vibe but desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
3. Lemon on the armpits – a Puerto Rican pre-party ritual
Now here’s a quirky one: to prevent a hangover, some Puerto Ricans swear by rubbing lemon under their armpits before drinking. Yes, you read that right. The idea is that it prevents dehydration and helps your body handle alcohol better. While there’s no scientific backing for this citrusy hack, it’s a fun anecdote to share at your next braai. And hey, at least it smells nice!
4. Olive Oil shots
In Russia, downing a shot of olive oil before drinking is believed to coat the stomach, slowing alcohol absorption and minimising the dreaded morning-after effects.
While it’s not exactly appetizing, this remedy might not be too far off the mark fats can slow the rate at which alcohol enters your bloodstream. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, swap your pre-party tequila shot for olive oil. Just don’t blame us if it doesn’t work.
5. Buffalo milk – Namibia’s boozy breakfast
Namibians have their own take on a hangover cure and it’s called Buffalo Milk. Spoiler alert: there’s no actual buffalo involved. This rich concoction combines clotted cream, dark rum, spiced rum, cream liqueur and whole cream. It’s like a boozy milkshake that hits both your sugar cravings and your alcohol tolerance.
6. Tape on the forehead – acupuncture hack
In Estonia, some people swear by placing tape on their forehead to cover acupuncture points between the eyebrows. This is said to relieve headaches and other hangover symptoms. South Africans who’ve seen this trick used for baby hiccups might find it oddly familiar. Whether it works or not, it’s a great conversation starter at breakfast.
7. Powerade and Rehydrate – TikTok’s Gen Z hack
Closer to home, South Africans are turning to TikTok for hangover advice. One popular cure involves mixing Powerade with rehydrated electrolytes to tackle dehydration like a pro. Having tried this one myself, I can vouch for its effectiveness as it provides a powerful hydration boost. Plus, it’s a lot more palatable than some of the other options on this list.
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So, do these cures actually work?
The truth is, that most of these remedies are based on folklore, tradition or plain old trial and error. While some like pickle juice or electrolyte drinks have a bit of science on their side, others are more about the placebo effect.
Ultimately, the best hangover “cure” is prevention: drink water between rounds, eat a hearty meal beforehand and know your limits.
But if you do find yourself nursing a hangover, why not give one of these quirky cures a shot? After all, at the very least, they make for a great story.