Ayurvedic Remedies for Hiccups – Natural Healing for Hikka
Understanding Hiccups in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, hiccups are known as "Hikka", and are considered a Vata and Kapha dosha disorder. They occur due to involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, often triggered by eating too fast, overeating, spicy food, stress, or excessive dryness in the body.
According to Ayurvedic texts, there are five types of hiccups, ranging from mild and temporary to chronic and severe, often linked to digestive or respiratory issues. Ayurveda aims to treat hiccups by balancing doshas, improving digestion, and calming the nervous system using natural herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle practices.
Common Causes of Hiccups
Eating quickly or swallowing air
Overeating or indigestion
Stress or anxiety
Excessive spicy or dry food
Sudden temperature changes (cold drinks after hot food)
Effective Ayurvedic Remedies for Hiccups
1. Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger is a natural anti-spasmodic and digestive stimulant. Chewing a small piece of fresh ginger or drinking warm ginger tea helps stop hiccups caused by indigestion.
2. Asafoetida (Hing)
Mix a pinch of hing in warm water and drink. Hing helps relieve spasms and calms the Vata disturbance responsible for hiccups.
3. Clove (Laung)
Clove’s warming nature stimulates the vagus nerve and calms hiccup reflexes. Sucking on a clove slowly provides instant relief.
4. Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
Fennel helps in reducing gastric irritation. Chewing fennel seeds or drinking fennel tea can soothe hiccups, especially after meals.
5. Honey with Rock Salt
Mix 1 tsp of honey with a pinch of rock salt. Let it dissolve slowly in the mouth. This helps lubricate the throat and calm muscle spasms.
Lifestyle & Diet Tips
Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
Avoid drinking cold beverages with meals
Drink warm water throughout the day
Avoid excessive spicy and dry foods
Practice pranayama (breathing exercises) to reduce anxiety-related hiccups
Herbal Formulations in Ayurveda
Sitopaladi Churna – Useful if hiccups are due to respiratory issues
Trikatu Churna – Improves digestion and pacifies Vata
Draksharishta – Beneficial for hiccups associated with weakness and low energy
Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before using these formulations for proper dosage and suitability.
Hiccups are characterised by the sharp inspiratory sound produced with the spasm of glottis and diaphragm. In Ayurveda it is known as hikka roga. Depending upon the doshas involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, different types of symptoms are manifested.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Hiccups: The ash of peacock feather is considered to be the best therapy for the condition. It is given in a dose of 0.125 gm. six times a day. mixed with honey. Eladi vati, which contains cardamom as an important ingredient, is popularly given for the treatment of this condition. It is given with honey to be sucked in a dose of one tablet six times a day. For the alleviation of upward movement of vayu, Sukumara ghrita should be given to the patient in a dose of one teaspoonful three times a day with milk.
Diet to taken by Hiccups patients: Kulattha is very useful in this condition. The juice, the soup or the dal preparation of this can be given to the patient. Old rice, patola, tender radish, lemon, goat's milk and garlic can also be given. Fatty food, heavy and cold food and masha are contra-indicated in this condition.
Other regimens: The patient should be given psycho-therapy if the hiccup is produced as a result of psychoneurotic conditions. The patient should be given rest and he should not suppress the natural urges in any form.
According to Ayurvedic texts, there are five types of hiccups, ranging from mild and temporary to chronic and severe, often linked to digestive or respiratory issues. Ayurveda aims to treat hiccups by balancing doshas, improving digestion, and calming the nervous system using natural herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle practices.
Common Causes of Hiccups
Eating quickly or swallowing air
Overeating or indigestion
Stress or anxiety
Excessive spicy or dry food
Sudden temperature changes (cold drinks after hot food)
Effective Ayurvedic Remedies for Hiccups
1. Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger is a natural anti-spasmodic and digestive stimulant. Chewing a small piece of fresh ginger or drinking warm ginger tea helps stop hiccups caused by indigestion.
2. Asafoetida (Hing)
Mix a pinch of hing in warm water and drink. Hing helps relieve spasms and calms the Vata disturbance responsible for hiccups.
3. Clove (Laung)
Clove’s warming nature stimulates the vagus nerve and calms hiccup reflexes. Sucking on a clove slowly provides instant relief.
4. Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
Fennel helps in reducing gastric irritation. Chewing fennel seeds or drinking fennel tea can soothe hiccups, especially after meals.
5. Honey with Rock Salt
Mix 1 tsp of honey with a pinch of rock salt. Let it dissolve slowly in the mouth. This helps lubricate the throat and calm muscle spasms.
Lifestyle & Diet Tips
Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
Avoid drinking cold beverages with meals
Drink warm water throughout the day
Avoid excessive spicy and dry foods
Practice pranayama (breathing exercises) to reduce anxiety-related hiccups
Herbal Formulations in Ayurveda
Sitopaladi Churna – Useful if hiccups are due to respiratory issues
Trikatu Churna – Improves digestion and pacifies Vata
Draksharishta – Beneficial for hiccups associated with weakness and low energy
Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before using these formulations for proper dosage and suitability.
Hiccups are characterised by the sharp inspiratory sound produced with the spasm of glottis and diaphragm. In Ayurveda it is known as hikka roga. Depending upon the doshas involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, different types of symptoms are manifested.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Hiccups: The ash of peacock feather is considered to be the best therapy for the condition. It is given in a dose of 0.125 gm. six times a day. mixed with honey. Eladi vati, which contains cardamom as an important ingredient, is popularly given for the treatment of this condition. It is given with honey to be sucked in a dose of one tablet six times a day. For the alleviation of upward movement of vayu, Sukumara ghrita should be given to the patient in a dose of one teaspoonful three times a day with milk.
Diet to taken by Hiccups patients: Kulattha is very useful in this condition. The juice, the soup or the dal preparation of this can be given to the patient. Old rice, patola, tender radish, lemon, goat's milk and garlic can also be given. Fatty food, heavy and cold food and masha are contra-indicated in this condition.
Other regimens: The patient should be given psycho-therapy if the hiccup is produced as a result of psychoneurotic conditions. The patient should be given rest and he should not suppress the natural urges in any form.
