Okay, you've overdone it. What seemed like a great idea last night is now a big, painful, horrible mistake. Your head is throbbing, your tongue is furry, your skin is clammy, your body aches all over. Surely there must be a miracle cure for the hangover from hell?

We've had our fair share of hangovers. And, over the years, we've tried anything and everything (okay, apart from not drinking) to see the back of them. So here's our guide to the best, and the worst, hangover cures we know.

What works in a good way...

The fry-up

It's the classic, the mother of all hangover cures. But does it actually work? Well, it seems to, but there are differing opinions on how a fry-up actually helps. It's most likely that the sheer amount of calories contained in a full English breakfast gives your body enough of an energy boost to cope with the abuse you gave it the night before. A pizza or a massive bowl of pasta will work in a similar way. But the restorative powers of the fry-up are also likely to be down to the inclusion of eggs, which we investigate below.

Burnt toast

A survey has shown that 46 per cent of people rely on toast to send their hangover packing. Sound too simple? Actually, the key is that the toast should be burnt. It might sound mad (and somewhat unappetising) but there's actually some science behind this one. The carbon formed by the burnt bits of toast actually filters out impurities. Much in the same way that people who end up in hospital with severe alcohol poisoning get carbon pumped into their stomachs - nice image, eh?

Eggs

Whether you have them raw (eugh, bad and wrong), as part of a fry-up, or just on toast (preferably burnt), eggs have scientific backing for their ability to sort out a hangover. The magic comes from the fact that eggs are rich in cysteine, an amino acid which effectively counteracts the poisonous effects of alcohol.

Water

When you've hit the booze big-time, your body will desperately need water. The headache from hell? The intensely dry mouth? They're all symptoms of dehydration, so drink lots and lots of water!

Fruity juice and smoothies

Fruit juice, or even better a smoothie, will help fight your hangover in two vital ways. The fruit content will give your body a much-needed vitamin boost - plus, the more you drink, the more you'll be fighting off the effects of dehydration. It might be best to avoid citrus juice - the extra acidity can be the last thing a sore tummy needs, but cloudy apple juice is perfect.

Vitamin C

Effervescent vitamin C tablets are a popular hangover aid. They help in much the same way as fruit juice and smoothies, by aiding hydration and giving your poor, sad body a much-needed vitamin hit. We're not big fans: they make us queasy, but each to their own.

And what works in a bad way...

Coffee

For many of us, the first thing we want when we wake up feeling like death is a nice strong coffee. It's true to say that the caffeine will wake you up, so initially it seems like coffee works. But caffeine is also a diuretic, so it might help you get out of your bed - but overall it will contribute to your body's dehydration and, in turn, general pain!

Hair of the dog

Who hasn't struggled through to lunchtime, headed to the pub, downed a quick glass of vino or a pint and felt much, much better? Yes, hair of the dog works, there's absolutely no denying it. But it only works because it's getting you a little bit drunk again, which is only delaying the inevitable.

Coca Cola

Flat, fizzy, cold or at room temperature... many people swear by cola to sort out a hangover. So does it work? Well yes, but in a bad way. It's a mixture of caffeine and sugar, so you'll get a boost, but you'll also get a crash. It's a short term fix, but not the way to get through the whole day.

It's serious - medicate it!

Yes, you need painkillers, and you need them to work fast. But be warned, it's best to avoid paracetamol-based products if you've been on a serious bender. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the potential toxicity of paracetamol, which increases your chances of liver damage.

Instead, choose ibuprofen-based painkillers, such as Nurofen - or if the pain is really severe, ibuprofen and codeine, such as Nurofen Plus.

If you're using aspirin, opt for effervescent tablets. That way you'll get some extra water inside you too. Plus they work quicker as your tummy won't have to put as much effort into digesting them. Ibuprofen is also available in easy-to-digest forms, such as liquid capsules and melts.

A time-honoured hangover cure, Alka Seltzer is a combination of aspirin, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. So it's basically a painkiller and an antacid, perfect for the headache plus nausea combination.

Some crazy ideas from our friends

This lot have obviously had a few bad hangovers - but when you're desperate, you'll try anything...

"A large cup of tea before you go to bed. Then a pint of orange juice and boiling water in equal measures with a good dunk of sugar in it in the morning." - Will Bromage

"A bottle of Lucozade Orange and a giant Snickers bar" - Martin Bishopp

"Strawberry Ribena and a lardy breakfast" - Hannah Ballantyne

"Rich tea biscuits" - Sarah Jenkins