Curing Pills – An Old Chinese Remedy for a Hangover

By: Jill Blakeway, M.S. L. Ac. | Author's Archive | Bio

Happy New Year.

I hope that you had a fun and festive New Year’s Eve and that 2009 brings you everything you wish for.

New Year’s Day seems like a good time to mention an old Chinese remedy called Curing Pills. This traditional formula comes in vials containing tiny pellets which are designed to relieve indigestion and an acid stomach. Downing a vial with lots of water is one of the best hangover cures I know.

You can use this gentle but effective remedy for any acute digestive disorder from food poisoning to stomach flu so it is a great addition to your medicine cabinet. The reason it works so well for a hangover is that it contains herbs for an upset stomach combined with herbs for dehydration, fatigue, sore eyes, body aches and a headache.

The ingredients as follows:

Fu ling( Poria cocos)

Fu ling is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees and has been used for generations in China to move stagnant fluids. It is also a Qi tonic and so helps to give you energy and enhances your immune system. It is also known for its calming effect.

Bai Zhu (Atractylodes)

Bai zhu is also Qi tonic with the added benefit that it regulates the digestive system. It is a powerful energy booster and is used to boost the metabolism in weight loss formulas as well as by athletes to give them extra energy. Like Fu ling it also moves stagnant fluids.

Xiao Hu Xiang (Fennel)

Fennel is used in both Chinese and ayurvedic medicine as a digestive tonic. This is a great herb for relieving gas and spasms in the large intestine.

(Bai zhi) Angelica dahurica

This is a major herb for relieving headaches with a variety of causes from colds and flu to a hangover.

(Shen qu) Massa fermenta

Moves stagnant food and relieves an acid stomach

Yi yi ren (Coix lachryma)

Is a great herb for relieving diarrhea and also helps with body aches.

Huo xiang (Patchouli)

Huo Xiang has been used for centuries to stop nausea and vomiting.

Tian hua fen (Trichosanthes kirilowii)

This herb is moistening and relieves the symptoms of dehydration that come along with a hangover

Chen pi (Tangerine peel)

Tangerine peel is said to regulate qi and guide it down making this herb especially helpful for nausea, vomiting and acid reflux

Ju hua (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

This is a well known herb for treating red, sore eyes and headaches

She chang pu – (Acorus)

Clears a cloudy mind

Bo he (Mint)

Cools and soothes a acid digestive system and relieves pain from gas.

Ge-gen (Kudzu Root)

A wonderful digestive herb that stops diarrhea and restores proper Large Intestine function. It also relieves stomach aches and nausea and stops vomiting and has the added benefit of counteracting the effects of dehydration