No evidence hangover cures work, review concludes

Most home remedies for a hangover have no effect, although a few carry a little promise of relief, say researchers who reviewed medical studies on herbal and conventional "treatments."

The British and Dutch researchers found eight randomized control trials of interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangovers, from home remedies to a painkiller.

Most reported no beneficial effects. There were some encouraging findings for a yeast-based preparation and an extract from the dietary herb borage.

"Our findings show no compelling evidence to suggest that any complementary or conventional intervention is effective for treating or preventing the alcohol hangover," Max Pittler of the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth and his colleagues wrote in the Dec. 24 issue of the British Medical Journal.

The old standby fixes of rest and water are the only tried-and-true cures.

The best way to avoid hangover symptoms is to drink in moderation or not at all, the study's authors concluded.

Terry Allen, a University of Alberta pharmacology professor, isn't surprised by the findings.

"When I was growing up, we heard about most of these things," said Allen. "You'd like to believe that something is going to work. Nothing really actually has any effect."

Even the few products that showed a slight benefit aren't worth taking, said Allen, who agreed with the authors' advice about sleeping off a hangover and avoiding too much alcohol.

Bartender Chris McPhee in Edmonton also tells patrons to rest up, but adds: "Mix up a nice, spicy caesar. It will level you out for the day."

A caesar wasn't among the items considered in the study. The authors said an effective treatment isn't likely until the pathology of hangovers is understood in more detail.