Gaelic for “water of life,” whiskey has been touted as a cure for everything from toothaches to swine flu. Even the common cold is said to be stymied by whiskey’s magical properties.

Hangover cures can be based on science, superstition or personal taste. A hangover cure can be a cultural totem or tradition, or a family secret passed down from generation to generation. And, some of them can be pretty weird.

It seems like every website you visit has a recommendation the best hangover foods for the best hangover foods. We at The Healthy Drinker and Drinkwel always tend to be in favor of healthier options, but what is it about foods that make them good for the morning after, and are there other options?

A drug extract from the seeds of the Asian tree Hovenia dulcis, also known as the oriental rubber tree, is allowing rodents to drink large amounts of alcohol, pass-out less, be less hungover, and even avoid addiction after weeks of non-stop drinking. No word yet on why they aren't sending medicinal batches to every fraternity around the country.

At the end of the day, dealing with a hangover and protecting the liver from the ravages of alcohol comes down to chemical actions and reactions in the body; a molecular game played by the rules of biology.