The experts' hangover cures

You've bought the paracetamol, extra packets of fresh coffee and a startling array of health - inducing vitamins - but how do the experts plan to tackle their festive hangovers? Whatever your favoured cure, you might find an even better one here...

The yoga cure

"Yoga can be great for a hangover," says Dr Robin Monro, founder of the Yoga Biomedical Trust in Islington, north London. "The key is avoiding excessive forward or backward bending, which changes the pressure in your head."

He suggests 20 neck rolls three times a day. Go down on hands and knees. Bend your arms and touch the top of your head on the floor. Exhaling, carefully roll your head forward until you feel a gentle stretch along the back of your neck. Hold briefly and then, inhaling, roll back again until your forehead touches the floor.

The Aromatherapy Cure

"Run a warm aromatic bath by adding two drops of fennel [calming], two drops of juniper [detoxifying] and two drops of rosemary [stimulating] essential oils," advises aromatherapist Maggie Tisserand. " In the meantime add one drop of peppermint oil and one drop of rose into warm honey water and drink."

The Detox Cure

Give your body a celery "flush". Detox expert Jane Scrivener, co-founder of The British School of Complementary Therapy, says: "Alcohol will make your stomach highly acidic and the alkaline in celery will balance the acidity."

The Reflexology Cure

"By applying pressure to your big toe, you will increase blood flow to your brain and help ease the pain of a hangover," says reflexologist Michael Keet.

The Herbalist Cure

"Milk thistle, taken either as a supplement or a tincture, supports the liver, encouraging the cells to reproduce and regenerate, and it helps metabolise alcohol," advises Dee Atkinson, herbalist and director of Napiers, which has clinics in W1 and Fulham. "Take it one hour before you go out, when you're out and before you go to bed."

The Homoeopathic Cure

"A fragile head, nausea and irritability can be reduced by taking the remedy nux vomica," reveals homoeopath Dr Nick Avery. "For a stonking hangover take some every 15 minutes, then as required." Don't have peppermint or caffeine when taking homoeopathic medicine because they stop it working.

The GP's cure

"First of all, hydrate," advises central London GP Dr Laurence Gerlis. "Drink as much mineral water as possible. Secondly, you can't beat a cup of strong, black coffee with a little sugar to help raise lowered glucose levels. Lastly, what better excuse to start the Atkins diet? A fatty meal of bacon and eggs can really help mop up the aftereffects of alcohol."

The Holistic Cure

"Meditate to alleviate a hangover," says holistic stress-buster Cathy Underwood. "Lie down in a dimly lit room. Breathe in, hold in for a count of four, then breathe out for four. Visualise a healthy heart pumping blood around the body and picture your liver cleansed and strong. If you're at your desk, pinch and pull your ears to stimulate awareness and concentration.

The Indian Therapy Cure

"An Indian head massage is a fast, fuss-free way to ease the tension of a hungover head," reveals beauty therapist Janet Ginnings (020 7499 1904). If you haven't got time for a half-hour treatment do a bit of DIY by using your finger pads to manipulate your scalp and help loosen it. Apply as much pressure as is comfortable.

The Nutritionist's Cure

"Don't drink on an empty stomach," warns nutritionist Lindsay Curtis. "The presence of food in the stomach helps decrease the concentration of alcohol by diluting it. A good preventative measure is to nibble food throughout the evening and drink plenty of water in between your alcoholic beverages."

Ian Marber, aka The Food Doctor, advises taking a B-complex vitamin before going out and another before bed. "This helps process the alcohol. Plus it's good to have five alcohol-free days post-hangover!"

The Complementary Cure

"Drink a sachet of Emergen-C in a glass of mineral water," recommends Sanjay Bhandari, managing director of Farmacia Urban Healing. "My favourite is the cranberry flavour. If I'm feeling really bad I take our Hangover Kit with milk thistle, artichoke and liquorice (£15, 0870 111 8123). It tastes awful, but it does the job."

The Barman's Cure

Salvatore Calabrese, bartender and author of How To Cure A Hangover (£6.99, Little Books), favours the "Bartender's Breakfast".

Put 30ml vodka, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a basil leaf, a pinch of ground coriander, a pinch of celery salt, chopped chives and black pepper into a blender. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish with tomato and basil leaves."

The Ayurvedic Cure

"Drink coconut water," says alternative therapist Bharti Vyas. "The sweetness increases energy and promotes good digestion."

Bharti also recommends drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for the vitamin C, with a pinch of cumin powder as a digestive aid and a teaspoon of lime juice to neutralise acid.

The Personal Fitness Cure

"Hangovers are not a virus, so get over it," says personal trainer Kathryn Freeland, of Absolute Fitness. "Cells need oxygen and water to function, so I hand a client a bottle of water and take them for a brisk half-hour walk."

Alternatively, head to the Oxygen Bar at Selfridges. The idea is that you relax at the bar while breathing in pure oxygen through a mask for 20 minutes.

The Spa Therapist Cure

"Make a cup of tea and then pop the cold teabag on your eyes. This will reduce puffiness and help to calm bloodshot eyes," says Jo Parker, treatments manager at Champneys. "Many hangovers can consist of a headache, blocked sinuses and an overall ache. To tackle all three at once, run a hot bath with some Vicks VapoRub added to it."