15 Natural Hiccup Cures That Really Work

Hiccups are something that everyone experiences on occasion. Hiccups are also known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, or SDF, which is the result of uncontrollable contractions of your diaphragm. When your diaphragm contracts, you end up breathing in air very quickly, which is then followed by the sudden closure of your vocal cords – producing the traditional hiccup sound.

For most people, hiccups only last several minutes, but they can last for hours, depending on the situation. They are most often caused by drinking carbonated beverages, eating quickly, or from excitement.

Having hiccups can be embarrassing and annoying, especially when you are in a public environment. Luckily, there are many different ways to cure hiccups.

If you are ready to try and get rid of your hiccups, look over these 15 natural cures and give them a try.

Drink Cold Water

Drink a glass of cold water to shock your system and get the hiccups to stop. Drink the water as quick as you can. You may also want to try putting honey in the water, which may reduce inflammation in your lungs and relieve pressure that could be causing the hiccups.

Gargle Water

Another option is to try gargling cold water, instead of drinking it. Gargle the water for one minute. Hopefully, your hiccups should go away. If this does not work, then try drinking the water.

Drink While Upside Down

Drinking water while upside down is easier than it sounds. You do not need to bend backwards or have someone help you perform a handstand. Simply bend forward at your waist, until your head is upside down. Hold the glass to your face and drink from the opposite side of the glass.

A Spoonful of Sugar

This remedy is fairly easy to try. Fill one teaspoon with sugar. Place the teaspoon in your mouth and then close your mouth around the spoon. Hold the spoon in place for five seconds and then remove the spoon, allowing the sugar to slowly dissolve. Follow this with a sip of water.

Vinegar

Vinegar could help stop your hiccups. Use apple cider vinegar for this remedy; though, you could also use white vinegar. The sour taste should help distract your mind from the hiccups. Swallow a half teaspoon of vinegar and then drink a glass of cold water.

Swallow Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is an old remedy that actually works. Place one teaspoon of peanut butter in your mouth. Hold the peanut butter in place for several seconds and then swallow it – without chewing on it. You may want to follow this with a glass of water.

Breathe into a Paper Bag

You have probably heard of this technique before. Press the bag around your mouth and begin slowly inhaling and exhaling. Keep the bag in place the entire time.

Lemon

Use a small amount of lemon to stop your hiccups instantly. The sour taste should overwhelm your senses. Place a half a teaspoon of lemon juice in your mouth. Keep the juice in your mouth for several seconds and then swallow.

Cardamom

Cardamom contains properties that can help relax your muscles. This could stop your hiccups. Mix one teaspoon of cardamom powder with one cup of hot water. Allow the mixture to sit for fifteen minutes and then strain the liquid. Drink the mixture slowly.

Chamomile Tea

Drink a cup of chamomile tea to get rid of your hiccups. This may help ease contractions in your diaphragm that could be causing hiccups. To make your own chamomile tea, steep one teaspoon of chamomile in a cup of hot water for ten minutes. Drink the tea slowly. To receive the same benefits without drinking a tea, place several drops of chamomile essential oil in a brown paper bag and use the paper bag method.

 Hold Your Breath

Holding your breath is probably the most known cure for hiccups. Holding your breath will help increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood, which can stop hiccups. Take a deep breath and then hold it for as long as possible, without letting any air out. Slowly exhale and then inhale again. Repeat this process until the hiccups go away.

Perform Jumping Jacks

Instead of just holding your breath, hold your breath while performing jumping jacks. This may provide faster relief than simply holding your breath while standing still. The extra exertion could offer instant hiccup relief.

Have Someone Scare You

This is harder than it sounds, but having someone scare you could distract your mind enough to stop the hiccups. Again, this is hard to pull off, but could be worth a try.

One way to attempt to scare the mind is to play “slap hands”. Have a partner place their hands out in front of them, palms up. Place your hands above theirs, palms down. Your partner will attempt to quickly bring their hands up, reverse their palms, and slap the top of your hands. If you manage to pull your hands back towards your body and avoid the slap, then you switch starting positions – with you trying to slap their hands. The anticipation of the slap may be enough to distract your mind.

Bite a Lemon

Instead of swallowing a teaspoon of lemon juice, you could simply bite into a lemon. Grab a whole lemon and bite into it, without pausing to think about the taste. The instant jolt of sour taste should distract your mind from the hiccups.

Hug Your Knees

Sit on the floor and hug your knees, by bringing your knees to your chest. Hold this pose for several minutes, until the hiccups pass. This could adjust contractions of your diaphragm enough to stop the hiccups.

Hopefully one of these natural cures could help you get rid of your hiccups. While many people think of hiccups as a harmless condition, long term hiccups could cause damage. Generally, hiccups will pass within a few minutes. When this does not happen, you should definitely try one of the natural cures provided.