Liz Earle
Liz Earle offers her top herbal healers for if you go overboard on Valentine’s Day night with a rich meal and copious amounts of alcohol. Chances are you will need a boost in the morning, especially if you went home for dessert, so take note now and get in all the things you will need to have a comfortable morning after.
Hungover?
Too much alcohol leaves us all feeling rough. The best cure is obviously not to drink too much in the first place (alternating each alcoholic drink with a glass of water is a technique that works). However, if you have overdone it, the most important thing is rehydration. Drink plenty of plain water and take milk thistle extract, also known as silymarin. Made from the seeds of the tall teazle, named Silybum marianum (yes, really!), this time-tested remedy is believed to soothe the liver and promote bile flow.
Liverish?
A combination of alcohol, rich, spicy or fatty foods combined with overtiredness and stress can lead to a condition described by the Victorians as feeling ‘a bit liverish’. Symptoms ranging from mild headaches, nausea and general queasiness are signs that our over-worked vital organ of digestion is having a hard time processing all we’re passing its way. Botanical ‘bitters’ make an excellent natural liver cleanse as they stimulate the production of digestive juices. Choose a bitter-tasting herb, such as dandelion or rocket leaves, and make a liver-loving side salad, or drink a cup of dandelion root bitter black coffee. Starting the day with a squeeze of fresh lemon in a cup of hot water is also an excellent wake-up call and kick-starts the internal cleansing system. Not only will symptoms subside but you’ll also be rewarded with improved moods and energy levels.
Upset stomach?
One of the main causes of an upset stomach is a mild form of food poisoning due to the Campylobacter bacterium. The active ingredient in garlic, diallyl sulfide, has been shown to be highly effective at combatting these bugs and is an excellent intestinal cleanser. Best eaten raw, one of the most palatable ways to take raw garlic is lightly crushed and mixed with a teaspoonful of strong-tasting honey. Alternatively, garlic capsules are an acceptable way to receive its botanical benefits.
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For more herbal remedy ideas or to find out what to eat on Valentine’s Day including a mouth-watering three-course menu, plus other gorgeous Valentine craft projects can be found in the Spring 2015 edition of Liz Earle Wellbeing, available now to download from Zinio (for all devices), Apple (for iPhone or iPad) or Amazon (for Kindle Fire) for £2.99, or subscribe to 4 issues per year for £9.99.