Hiccups, Hangovers and Food Poisoning. Natural Cures That Actually Work

Everything in moderation - except for moderation! When the alcohol is going down a little too easy you know in the pit of your stomach that you'll be paying a price for slamming down the beers. Short term gain, long-term gain. But according to (real) experts there are natural ways to lessen the pain, and get on the road to recovery faster.

With hangovers you are trying to help your body recover from dehydration and a lack of electrolytes and key vitamins, but you can reduce the suffering.

Natural Hangover Cure: Energy Drinks, Salmon and Fruit

Alcohol is a diuretic, which makes you pee more, which leads to dehydration. The most important thing you can do is drink one glass of water for every glass of beer you consume, but according to The Cleveland Clinic: "Consuming a sports drink, coconut water or an electrolyte-enhanced beverage before you go to bed or as soon as you get up can help replace lost electrolytes from drinking."

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Why salmon? A night of aggressive drinking saps your body of essential vitamin B6 and B12, which need to be replenished as quickly as possible. Once again, doctors at The Cleveland Clinic explain why you might want to have some salmon in the fridge: "Salmon is rich in both. Additionally, heavy drinking can increase inflammation in your body. And the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty fish can lower that inflammatory response." Harvard Medical School has a list of hangover tips, which includes toast, juice and pain relievers (but not Tylenol!)

Hiccups? Sip a glass of water covered in a paper towel

My kids explained this one to me - or at least they TRIED to explain it. I realize it sounds crazy, but somehow it works (I tested it multiple times on myself and my poor wife). The act of trying to sip water through a paper towel makes hiccups go away. Who knew?

Food poisoning? Eat a baked potato to help absorb the toxins

As God is my witness, a helpful guy at the register of my favorite grocery store shared this miracle cure. I was skeptical, but it works. I realize the last thing you might want to do when you feel nauseated is cook up a baked potato, but trust me, spuds do the trick when your stomach is gurgling and your intestines are seriously unhappy.

Madison Avenue might advise you to take a pill. Americans are pretty good at self-medicating for a wide variety of maladies, but the next time you're suffering from a hangover or foul stomach, or something as innocent as hiccups, give these homegrown remedies a try.

Not everything can be cured with a pill. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.