What are hiccups?
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between the vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound. Irritation of the nerves that extend from the neck to the chest can cause hiccups.
Common Causes of Hiccups
Stretching of the stomach after eating or drinking
Sudden emotional excitement
Sudden change of air temperature (eg. cool shower)
Very hot/cold food or drink
Alcohol or excess smoking
Heartburn or acid reflux
12 Home Remedies to Stop Hiccups Instantly
Remedy #1
Cardamom powder is an effective remedy for hiccups. Boil 1 ½ cups of water and add a teaspoon of freshly ground cardamom powder in it. Allow the liquid to cool and then strain the liquid and drink. This remedy helps the muscles of the diaphragm to relax and this will stop your hiccups.
Remedy #2
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds with 1/2 teaspoon of pure ghee and swallow the mixture. This will reduce your hiccups.
Remedy #3
Chamomile is a relaxant of muscles and hence good for stopping muscle spasms associated with hiccups. Steep chamomile with half a litre of water for half an hour. Drink it for stopping the muscle contractions in an instant.
Remedy #4
Honey is very sweet and very good for treating hiccups. Down honey right inside your throat and count till nine, and your hiccups are gone. Again the wonders of overwhelming sweetness have done the trick.
Remedy #5
Apple cider vinegar might turn out to be an instant remedy for hiccups. All you have to do is drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar as soon as hiccups begin.
Remedy #6
A piece of ginger can surely cure hiccups. Peel a small piece of ginger and chew it. The strong taste of ginger will distract the diaphragm and cure the hiccups.
Remedy #7
Prepare dill tea, take one teaspoon of dried dill leaves and boil them in a cup of water. Allow the tea to cool down. Sip it slowly. Alternatively, chew some dill seeds.
Remedy #8
Mint beverage helps calm down the irritation in the diaphragm; hence, stops hiccups. Add a few mint leaves, lemon juice and salt in lukewarm water and drink it.
Remedy #9
Take a glass of water and put a single layer of paper towel on it. Suck the water through the towel. It will put pressure on the diaphragm, relieving hiccups.
Remedy #10
Add a tablespoon of salt to a cup of yogurt and mix thoroughly to make a homogeneous mixture. Eat the yogurt slowly. Just a few spoons of this mixture – that’s all you need for instant relief from those spontaneous jerks.
Remedy #11
Sugar is one of the oldest remedies for hiccups. Eat a teaspoon of sugar when you are hiccupping. Hold the sugar in your mouth for about thirty seconds while it dissolves, then chew, and swallow slowly. This leads to excess sweetness in the mouth that is believed to be a good cure for hiccups.
Remedy #12
Asafoetida is a powerful agent that relaxes the muscles of the diaphragm. Mix a teaspoon of asafoetida powder in a tablespoon of clarified butter and swallow. It is extremely potent and works really fast to provide rapid relief from hiccups.
Sources include:
thesecretyumiverse.wonderhowto.com
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