Yes, it’s that time of year again - “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack frost nipping at your toes, tiny tots with their face all aglow- and the rest nursing thick heads and feeling like zombies the morning after. Of course prevention is always better than a cure, but that is probably not the reason you are reading this! However, there are ways you can help to reduce the risk of hangovers…..

* Drinking a glass of milk before you go out helps to protect the stomach and slow down the absorption of alcohol - even better, have a good meal.

* Avoid fizzy drinks, as these help more alcohol to get into your bloodstream quicker than non-fizzy drinks. Alternate alcohol with non-alcohol drinks - not only will this reduce your overall consumption, but it will help to prevent dehydration.

* Eat sweet snacks throughout the evening - alcohol causes a drop in blood sugar which can result in tiredness, shakiness and mood disturbances.

* Try to avoid coloured alcohol eg. Red wine, rum, tequilla and whiskey and brandy - these contain substances called “congeners”, which irritate the stomach lining and increase the effects of hangovers.

* Before you go to bed, have a light snack such as toast or digestive biscuits - this will help to maintain your blood sugar levels. Drink a pint of water or an isotonic sports drink. Vitamin C helps the liver to metabolise alcohol - try the dispersible tablets in water.

* Paracetamol or Ibuprofen will help relieve a headache the next morning, and an antacid will help to settle your stomach.

The following natural remedies may also help:-

* Vitamin C - 2 x high strength (1000mg) tablets before you go to bed, then again the next morning.

* Magnesium supplement .

* Evening Primrose oil

* B vitamin complex - taken before drinking.

* Milk thistle - x2 70mg tablets with a meal prior to going out.

* Ginger and peppermint teas - preferably with raw sliced ginger.

As a Clinical Aromatherapist, I would recommend Anise, Coriander, Frankincense, Orange and peppermint oils. A drop of each or any of these oils in hot water can be inhaled - use in a vaporiser, or on a handkerchief . A drop of coriander or peppermint added to a glass of water and sipped will also help - even better if you have the essential oil Anise, which although you would not find in many bathroom cabinets, is very good for hangovers…..