Home Remedies For Hiccups

Hiccups are little more than a reflex. You get them when the vagus nerve or one of its branches, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, is irritated. A few ways to free you self from hiccups are:

1. Sweeten the Hiccups: Overloading the nerve endings in the mouth with a sweet sensation may do the trick. Have a teaspoonful of sugar, and if you can, place the sugar on the back of the tongue, where "sour" is tasted. This way, the sugar overload will pack the most punch.

2. Play "Hear no Evil": Put your fingers in your ears to stop hiccups. The branches of the vagus nerve also reach into the auditory system, and by stimulating the nerve endings there, the vagus nerve goes into action. But be gentle, and don't stick your fingers too far into your ears.

3. Get Scared: Having someone surprise you can overwhelm the vagus nerve and put an end to hiccups.

4. Water: Swallowing water interrupts the hiccupping cycle, which can quiet the nerves. Gargling with water may also have the same effect.

5. Pull on Your Tongue: Sticking out your tongue and yanking on it may stop hiccups.

6. Eat peanut butter: Get a big tablespoon of peanut butter and put it in your mouth and hold it for 5-10 seconds. Then, swallow the peanut butter without chewing. The saliva should've broken down the peanut butter a bit, making it easier to swallow. Alternatively you can use Almond Butter or Nutella. Anything with a sticky gooey consistency similar to peanut butter will do.

It is not proved that these techniques will work all the times, but as there are no other options, why not give them a try!