Hangovers [1] are the absolute worst — pounding headache [2], churning stomach, fatigue, dehydration [3], and that awful restless feeling that just won't go away. Just hours earlier you were having fun and in the best of spirits — buying a round for everyone at the bar, ordering "just one more" glass of wine.
Hangovers, which are caused by consuming too much alcohol, can really put a damper on your day — leaving you bedridden and reaching for ibuprofen or whatever greasy sandwich you can get your hands on. However, there is also a convenient, natural option to turn to when a hangover hits you: essential oils.
Essential oils [4] are oils derived from natural sources, mainly plants, that have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from anxiety [5] to acid reflux [6].
"Essential oils can be a perfect hangover helper because they are completely natural, easily customizable, and small enough that you can fit them in a purse to use wherever you might end up in the morning not feeling 'so hot'," explains Sara Panton, cofounder and CEO of essential oil and diffuser brand Vitruvi [7].
Ahead are five essential-oil-infused products that may help even the most stubborn of hangovers. These essential oils are not meant to be a medical substitute, but instead are just suggestions for those looking to explore more natural remedies.
Saje Rosemary Essential Oil
Studies have shown that people who used rosemary essential oil noted improved moods [9], enhanced mental clarity, and reduced migraine pain. Add a few drops to a diffuser or to a warm shower to experience its benefits.
Saje Rosemary Essential Oil [10] ($16)
Shiffa Basil & Mint Body Scrub
Transform your hangover into an opportunity to give yourself some much-needed me time, complete with luxurious pampering — a bath, some candles, and a body scrub. Shiffa's Basil and Mint Body Scrub [11] is infused with peppermint, an essential oil known for its ability to treat headaches and digestive ailments, such as nausea.
"Peppermint is especially useful for nausea and digestive issues," Dr. Lamees Hamdan, founder and CEO of Shiffa shares. "You can use it in an aromatherapy burner or even applied topically, always dilute it with a carrier oil, or a few drops in a hot bath. Peppermint contains menthol and that helps relieve digestive issues and vomiting associated with a hangover."
Shiffa Basil & Mint Body Scrub [12] ($91)
VITRUVI Grapefruit Essential Oil
"The best grapefruit essential oil is extracted from the peel of ripe grapefruits by squeezing the rind to extract the pure oil," Panton explains. "This super citrus oil is a hangover favorite because it's ultra-energizing and the perfect way to wake up naturally in the morning when you're feeling a little groggy — the aroma is clearing and energizing, helping to increase alertness and vision."
Sara recommends putting two drops of grapefruit essential oil on a warm linen or bamboo facecloth and wiping your face clean with it, taking a few deep breaths.
VITRUVI Grapefruit Essential Oil [13] ($10)
REN & Now to Sleep Pillow Spray
According to studies, lavender has a variety of therapeutic properties [14] and can induce relaxation, therefore making it perfect to use when your hangover has you feeling anxious and restless. Just a few sprays of REN's & Now to Sleep Pillow Spray [15], complete with lavender essential oil, will have you quickly on your way to a mid-afternoon hangover nap.
REN & Now to Sleep Pillow Spray With Lavender [16] ($27)
Naturopathica Ginger Root Bath & Body Oil
Whether taken in its raw form, as a candy, brewed in a tea, or diffused, ginger has the great ability to banish any nausea you may be feeling. In a 2013 study, researchers found that ginger oil, administered as aromatherapy, had significantly reduced nausea [17] in surgical patients.
Naturopathica's ginger-infused bath and body oil not only helps to also ease nausea associated with hangovers, but in addition soothes tense and sore muscles, perfect to use after a night out on the town.
Naturopathica Ginger Root Bath & Body Oil [18] ($34)