Hangovers Cured For Good? Ancient Chinese Herbal Remedy Yields Amazing Results

UCLA researchers have found a compound that can counteract the effects of alcohol, but don't call it revolutionary: some people have known about it for over 1300 years.

The team, led by molecular pharmacologist Jing Liang, looked to ancient herbal remedies for inspiration in their study, published this month in the Journal of Neuroscience, and then used modern science to test them. They found, according to MedicalXpress, "descriptions of anti-alcohol properties of the Asian tree Hovenia dulcis that dated back to 659."

In the experiment (which used rats, since their reaction to alcohol are similar to that of humans), all the subjects were given a strong dose of alcohol. Some were also given the key compound, Dihydromyricetin (DHM), from the ancient Hovenia Dulcis tree, and these subjects sobered up faster and showed a higher tolerance for alcohol in general. In addition, DHM fought hangovers; these extra-resistant rats were tested later for signs of anxiety and seizure, associated with hangovers, and showed fewer of those side effects.

Hangover resistance, as it turns out, was a bonus; the research was intended to develop treatments for alcohol use disorders. ScienceNews writes:

The standout result, says Steven Paul of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, is that DHM also curbed alcohol consumption. Rats allowed to drink alcohol gradually start consuming more of it. But rats that drank DHM-laced alcohol didn’t increase their consumption, the team found.

The key point, Liang told ScienceNews, is that “When you drink alcohol with DHM, you never become addicted.”

Researchers hope that their work will inspire human trials of DHM soon.

Correction: An earlier version of this article referred to Hovenia Dulcis as an ancient homeopathic treatment. It is an herbal treatment.

Comments

[Charlie Lundstrom]

03:13 PM on 02/04/2013

Blucetin holds the only U.S. patent for addressing hangovers with DHM, as mentioned in this article. It is only sold online at blucetin.com.

[RachaelElise]

03:22 AM on 07/11/2012

Great reading, thanks! Sometimes I just happen to stumble over info that arrives in a timely manner. Spot on ;-)

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[Tommyclutch]

11:30 PM on 02/15/2012

I agree Tommyclutch,

Grab a Rewind Hangover Prevention Shot for the night. It already does what this ancient chinese remedy says it does in this article and it's already patented. Oh and its been tested in real life party situations, over and over with the same amazing result every time. You have to love real world testing.

Make Hangovers a thing of the past and end your night with a Rewind Hangover Prevention Shot and neutralize the alcohol before it neutralizes your tomorrow.

cheers

[Tommyclutch]

01:23 AM on 02/12/2012

My favorite product for hangover prevention is Rewind. This stuff is amazing because it sobers you up. I was reading about it and came across this test done UConn. http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx/?tsn=6&nav=messages&webtag=ab-cocktails&tid=948

I've tried this at least 30 times and every time I get great results. Sometimes I'll be exhausted in the morning or maybe a small headache but nothing a fast Aspirin can't get rid of in 30mins. With out it I would be dead or a couch potato. Give it a try ... hey its patented and best of all its AMERICAN Made!! Keep the jobs at home.....

[SpiralingDownward]

03:35 PM on 01/18/2012

Hang out with Mary Jane in the morning, she will ease all of your ailments.

[merlinspinoza]

06:14 PM on 01/17/2012

{{{REDUCED SUBSTANCE ABUSE

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Geisler M. Therapeutische Wirkungen der Transzendentalen Meditation auf Drogenkonsumenten. Zeitschrift für klinische Psychologie 7(4): 235–255, 1978.

Monahan R.J. Secondary prevention of drug dependence through the Transcendental Meditation program in metropolitan Philadelphia. The International Journal of the Addictions 12: 729-754, 1977.

Orme-Johnson D. W. Transcendental Meditation as an epidemiological approach to drug and alcohol abuse: Theory, research, and financial impact evaluation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11, 119-165, 1994.

Royer A. The role of the Transcendental Meditation technique in promoting smoking cessation: A longitudinal study. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 219-236, 1994.

Shafii M. et al. Meditation and marijuana. American Journal of Psychiatry 131: 60-63, 1974.

Shafii M. et al. Meditation and the prevention of alcohol abuse. American Journal of Psychiatry 132: 942-945, 1975.

Walton K. G., and Levitsky, D.A. A neuroendocrine mechanism for the reduction of drug use and addictions by Transcendental Meditation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 89-117, 1994.}}}

among the top 100 published studies [total of > 600 studies with TM ] are studies showing very significant increase in happiness , very simply put

[merlinspinoza]

06:10 PM on 01/17/2012

3 cheers for TCM traditional chinese medicine(botanical based)

the cure for alcoholism has alwways been known dont drink alcohol drink water drink grape juice [real organic mojo] dring herbal tea; meditate (TM)

yup a healthy routine does sound like real religion

there is larger issue in this wanting the problematic habit and the remedy for the consequences also i.e. the antidote is not taking the poison the alcohol or cigarettes or drugs issue is like wanting to save the planet but not wanting to stop polluting

a real remedy is increase in happiness and reduction in stress burden sufficient to prevent temptations which make a spiral of diminishing returns and that is TM tm.org click research and top 100 studies

[rMatey]

05:04 PM on 01/17/2012

Send me some, quick!

[vandegrasse]

05:16 AM on 01/15/2012

The big drug companies will rush to patent it. Watch out!

[Anybodyseenthepopos]

11:04 AM on 01/14/2012

I'll drink to that!

[jokerdanny]

02:13 PM on 01/13/2012

a hangover cure that makes you not want to drink as much? what kind of devious mind came up with such a thing!

[Mattcat25]

02:04 PM on 01/13/2012

Hovenia dulcis- sweet youth?

[Kehau]

01:21 PM on 01/13/2012

I lost a husband and my children lost their father to alcoholism and it has had a long lasting, negative impact on our lives. This is a disease and has been declared a disease since the 1950's by the WHO. It is a really sad, and very serious disease that has negatively impacted society, and I'm not sure if your article reflects this. If this medicinal plant can offer help it would be wonderful, I am a big supporter of plant-based medicines. I also feel the companies that produce alcohol should take some responsibility for the social and medical problems their products create. These companies should invest money into research on the treatment of alcoholism and make available high quality, free treatment centers for anyone who is an alcoholic and really wants to quit.

[SoSorry]

12:39 PM on 01/13/2012

Not surprising.. If you throw enough s at the wall something will eventually stick..

[jokerdanny]

02:10 PM on 01/13/2012

yeah, i think that's the first rule of science or something

[the taoist]

12:07 PM on 01/13/2012

The cure for hangovers ????.............stay hammered....................