Parties often mean less-than-healthy food, more alcohol than we usually drink and a late night.
Editor Jane Garton takes us though some digestion-friendly herbs that can help you enjoy the party (and the morning after).
We all love a good party, but unfortunately too much alcohol and a late night put a strain on the body that can leave you feeling run down and sluggish for the rest of the week. The secret is to think ahead and take protective measures. And the good news is there are some herbal remedies that can help to limit the damage.
First on the list comes milk thistle. Its active ingredient silymarin has been shown to provide relief from the symptoms associated with occasional over-indulgence in drink and food such as indigestion and upset stomach. It is thought to work by helping to protect the liver from alcohol damage and premature ageing by helping to regenerate liver cells.
Next comes cynara artichoke. Extracts of artichoke can help the digestive process by stimulating the production of bile and breaking down and eliminating fatty foods and alcohol from the body. If you know a night of indulgence is in the offing take twice a day before food as a protective measure.
If a weekend of late nights leaves you too revved up to get to sleep, it could be time for a dose of soothing valerian. Long used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a mild sedative, its active ingredients help to calm you down ready for a sound night’s slumber.
Finally a cup of freshly grated ginger tea can do wonders for settling an upset stomach. Just grate 1.25cm (1/2 inch) of ginger root into a cup and cover with boiling water. Leave to infuse for a few moments before sipping slowly.
