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How to Get Rid of Hiccups Instantly: The Sugar Cure & Other Remedies

young girl hiccuping, how to halt the hiccups
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Read on for a surefire remedy for getting rid of hiccups that can strike a person anytime, anywhere. If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of hiccups fast, this simple cure may surprise you.

It’s hard to forget the embarrassment of being attacked by hiccups in a library. From that moment, I vowed to share my no-fail, portable hiccup antidote with everyone I met.

Best Cure for Hiccups

Some hiccups just can’t be stopped by breathing into a paper bag, drinking water fast while holding your nose, or having someone suddenly scare you. 

Fortunately, you can find the ultimate cure for hiccups in a simple bowl of sugar. This remedy has always won many anti-hiccup battles with immediate results:

How to Get Rid of Hiccups Using Sugar

  1. Place one teaspoon of sugar on your tongue.
  2. Gently massage it against the roof of your mouth.
  3. Let it dissolve for several seconds.
  4. Relief usually occurs within moments.
  5. Repeat just once if necessary.

Another nice thing about this cure, aside from how quickly it works, is that it’s portable. You can carry a small, inexpensive packet of sugar almost anywhere to treat hiccups.

Other Home Remedies for Hiccups

If you’d rather avoid sugar, here are some other options folks have suggested:

  • Massage ice cubes against the roof of your mouth.
  • Eat a spoonful of peanut butter.
  • Breathe deeply into a small pillow filled with fragrant pine needles and think peaceful thoughts.
  • Rub one earlobe between your thumb and forefinger.
  • Bite your thumbs and then blow on them.
  • Swallow a spoonful of vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or something spicy hot.

Do you know of another reliable cure for the hiccups?  Please share it below!

What Causes Hiccups

Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm that can be brought on by gulping down your food or carbonated beverages, eating or drinking too much or too quickly, or experiencing strong emotions.

(Usually, hiccups last only a few minutes. If they last for days, see your doctor.)

Although hiccups tend to make a person more tense, it’s really important to try to calm yourself to help them go away. Visualizing the most tranquil place you know of or somewhere from your childhood may help you to relax. Our thoughts often have a powerful effect on our bodies.

Combining the healing power of your mind with your hiccup cure of choice, you can rejoice with, “H’up h’up away… hip hip hooray!”

Natural Remedies

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the digital home of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She leads digital editorial strategy and publishing across a wide range of Almanac sub...

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Beth</span> Tue, 05/03/2016 - 11:56
Pant like a dog - I didn't believe it when I heard it but it really does work!
<span>Lolly</span> Mon, 05/02/2016 - 16:22
Ask the hiccuper what he/she had for lunch yesterday. The surprise at your question, and subsequent concentration, usually causes the hiccups to cease. And "I don't remember." isn't an acceptable answer.
<span>Dyan Kai Thomas</span> Wed, 05/08/2019 - 11:25
I made a comment before reading the comments. This method works every time. Right on.
<span>Sandy</span> Mon, 05/02/2016 - 12:40
Stand on your head & garggle peanut butter, * eat bark off a tree nearest the busy highway * do the hokey pokey on roller skates twice spin around once * wear blue on fridays * say fly away bird fly away crow go down south where warm winds blow * If you try these on your own choice they will either cure or kill ya good luck
<span>Shelly</span> Mon, 05/02/2016 - 12:36
My cure is to have my students put their pencil or pen between their teeth and walk to get a drink. Their hiccups are usually gone before they get to the drinking fountain. I don't know if it is that they change their breathing pattern or are more relaxed. It has also worked for me at my home.
<span>Lisa Braschler</span> Mon, 05/02/2016 - 12:16
Fill a glass with water and then cover the top with a paper towel. Exhale and then drink the water through the paper towel. That should take care of those hiccups.
<span>Lisa Braschler</span> Mon, 05/02/2016 - 12:13
Fill a glass with water and then cover the top with a paper towel. Exhale and then the water through the paper towel. That should take care of those hiccups.