Remedies for Hiccups: 6 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Annoying Hiccups

Have you ever been in an endless bout of hiccups and it seems no remedies work?

Unless you happen to have been extremely fortunate, there’s a very strong chance that you will have suffered from hiccups at some point in your life. 

The frustrating thing about hiccups is the fact that they always seem to strike at the most inappropriate times.

One minute you’re sitting in silence during an important speech surrounded by other people, and the next you’re hiccupping uncontrollably. 

Whereas hiccups eventually go away on their own, often they can be persistent.

And will go on and on for far too long. Hiccups can be uncomfortable, even painful at times. This is why it’s so important to understand how to remedy the condition. 

Now, when it comes to natural ways of getting rid of the hiccups, there are plenty of options to choose from. From Old Wife’s Tales to scientifically proven remedies, there’s a lot to consider. 

As we’re being practical, here’s a look at 6 natural ways to get rid of hiccups which are very effective. 

Controlled breathing

One of the most effective ways of getting rid of the hiccups naturally is through controlled breathing techniques. Basically, the idea is that you control your breathing until you stop hiccupping. 

This is achieved very simply by slowly breathing in and holding your breath around 3 – 4 times consecutively. 

To begin with, breathe in slowly to fill your lungs with oxygen. Next, hold your breath for 10 seconds before slowly breathing out. 

Repeat this process 3 – 4 times, or until you notice your hiccups have improved, or cleared up entirely. 

Sip on ice water through a straw

Whereas some people are skeptical over the effectiveness of this method, studies have found that it does indeed appear to be a very effective treatment for the hiccups. 

The idea is that you sip on ice water through a straw slowly, making an effort to try to hold your breath for a prolonged period as you drink it. 

The trick is to ensure the water is ice cold, rather than just chilled. If you have sensitive teeth, this is another reason why the straw is so useful. 

Suck on a lemon wedge

Again, whereas this may sound like something that originated in Medieval times, there is a lot of research to back up the claims that this does indeed work as one of the viable remedies for the hiccups. 

If you find that you have persistent hiccups that won’t go away, pick up a lemon, slice it into wedges, and place a wedge into your mouth and gently suck on it. 

Just be warned that it will be very sour. But as mentioned, it is a very effective treatment for the hiccups. 

If the taste is overpowering, either dip it in honey or sprinkle it with a little sugar to enhance the taste and make it a little more palatable. 

Press the palm of your hand

Another tried and tested method of treating the hiccups is to use pressure points on your hand. And to press the palm of your hand. 

Take your right hand and firmly press the palm of it with the thumb of your left hand. While doing that, make sure to squeeze nice and firmly. 

The key is to be firm. This is because the discomfort causes a distraction to your nervous system and shocks it so that it cures the hiccups. 

Just be aware that you need to really squeeze hard for it to work, although you obviously shouldn’t go overboard. 

Stick out your tongue

Whereas sticking out your tongue is generally considered to be a rude gesture, in this instance it is actually acceptable. 

In terms of treating your hiccups, this technique works by stimulating the vocal cords. This, in turn, helps you to breathe in a more controlled manner. And also helps to ease any spasms which may be causing the hiccups. 

Plug your ears

Plugging your ears has been found to be one of the most effective remedies of hiccups. 

Simply take your fingers, making sure that they’re clean, and place them into your ears for around 30 seconds. 

By doing this, chemicals responsible for feelings of relaxation are produced and sent to the diaphragm. 

Swallow some sugar

Okay, first and foremost, be wary of consuming too much sugar. Why? One, this hiccup remedy is not a sugar feast. And two, as you know, sugar is bad for you if you consume too much. 

With that said, a spoonful of sugar in the case of treating hiccups is very highly recommended. 

Sugar is a great thing to swallow if you suffer with the hiccups. This is because the grains can slightly irritate the lining of the esophagus. This helps the phrenic nerves to basically reset themselves. 

Dry toast is also beneficial, although a teaspoon of sugar is much easier to get down.