HOW TO CLEAR THE HEAD AFTER A CHRISTMAS HANGOVER

IT'S that time of year when a string of festive parties can mean only one thing - a stinking hangover the next day.

But don't worry if you wake up with a pounding headache and a churning stomach because we've got the perfect cure for you.

We've scoured the world to find all the weird and wacky methods that drinkers use to soothe their symptoms and we can show you how to recreate them yourself.

So get pouring that beer or glass of wine - but before you do, make sure you've stocked up on pickled onions, herrings and garlic...

PICKLE JUICE RUSSIA

Best for: Upset tummy

How does it work? When onions ferment, they produce a certain type of stomach-soothing bacteria.

The vitamin B12 boosts blood and liver function.

Where to get it: Head to a supermarket and pick up a jar of pickled onions, such as Haywards Sweet Pickled Onions.

Just make sure you're not plannng to grab a sneaky snog under the mistletoe afterwards.

Health rating: 3

SLICED CACTUS MEXICO

Best for: Spirit hangovers

How does it work? Extracts of prickly pear cactus have been shown by one US study to alleviate the symptoms of hangovers, although it's not clear why.

Doctors reckon it could be because cactus is rich in antioxidants, which can neutralise damage caused by free radical cells.

After a fast-food dinner and four hours spent slugging spirits, volunteers at Tulane University, New Orleans, found their hangover symptoms were much better with the cactus.

Where to get it: Pick up a jar of Discovery sliced cactus in the Mexican food section of some supermarkets. It works better if taken four or five hours before a big drinking sesh.

Health rating: 2

PICKLED HERRING GERMANY

Best for: Hungry hangovers

How does it work? Herrings are packed with salt to replace minerals that can be lost through drinking.

Eat them with mustard, which has some vital anaesthetic properties to ease any potential discomfort in your stomach.

The more the mustard makes your eyes water, the better it is to help soothe the stomach.

Where to get it: Pick up some rollmop herrings from the supermarket. Make your own mustard with Colman’s Mustard Powder.

Health rating: 4

CABBAGE JUICE GREECE

Best for: Avoiding a hangover when you stagger home at night

How does it work? You have to ignore the whiff and whip up a batch of cabbage soup, which is rich in soluble fibre to absorb the nasty chemicals from alcohol and is also stuffed with nutrients, including vitamins C and E, which are lost through alcohol consumption.

Where to get it: Make it yourself by boiling half a savoy cabbage. Keep the water in the fridge to drink when you get in. You'll be too whiffled to notice the flavour.

Health rating: 4

TRIPE SOUP ROMANIA

Best for: Lingering hangovers

How does it work? This sounds disgusting, but tripe soup is basically a cheap form of low-fat protein, salts and liquid, which will ensure that the body is speedily rehydrated after a boozy night out.

Where to get it: It’s not exactly the most common thing to find on the supermarket shelves, but the good news is that chicken noodle soup has a similar nutritional content and is much more readily available.

Health rating: 5

GARLIC YOGHURT TURKEY

Where’s it from? Turkey

Best for: Prevention rather than cure

How does it work? You need to have some of this before you go out.

Yoghurt is packed with calcium and protein to help protect you against a dodgy stomach, while freshly-crushed garlic is said to boost circulation and your recovery time from a hangover.

Where to get it: Make it yourself. Mix together a tub of natural yoghurt with two crushed garlic cloves. Just remember not to kiss anyone after you’ve had it.

Health rating: 3

» MORE 'DIET & FITNESS' HERE...

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