Hiccups: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

Hiccups are caused by ischemia, or lack of blood supply to the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm undergoes the spasmodic periodic movements that we call hiccups.

Last updated: March 31, 2026

Ayurvedic Perspective on Hiccups

Hiccups are caused by ischemia, or lack of blood supply to the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm undergoes the spasmodic periodic movements that we call hiccups.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Hiccups are caused by ischemia, or lack of blood supply to the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm undergoes the spasmodic periodic movements that we call hiccups.

. The simplest remedy for hiccups is to hold your breath. Take a deep breath;

HOLD YOUR BREATH

hold the breath behind the belly button; then gradually exhale.

. If you find it difficult to do this, take a paper bag, open it, hold the edges

BROWN BAG REMEDY

near your nose, and breathe into the bag (both exhaling and then inhaling). This will force you to inhale your own carbon dioxide, which naturally relaxes the muscles of the diaphragm. Continue for 1 or 2 minutes. Your hiccups should quickly be relieved. . If the above procedure doesn’t stop the hiccupping, mix 1 teaspoon honey

HONEY AND CASTOR OIL

with 1 teaspoon castor oil. Every 2 or 3 minutes dip your index finger into the mixture and then lick your finger.

DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE. Another simple ‘remedy is Alternate Nostril pranayama, slightly modified as follows:

1. Inhale through the left nostril while closing the right nostril with your thumb. 2. After inhaling, hold your breath for just a moment, then 3. Swallow. 4. Exhale through your right nostril while closing the left nostril with your ring and little finger. 5. Repeat steps 1 to 4, this time starting by inhaling through the right nostril.

You can do this breathing exercise for 5 minutes.

TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR

There are certain serious pathological hiccups, such as cardiac hiccups, which occur in persons having congestive heart failure; uremic hiccups, which occur due to renal failure (when the kidneys do not perform their function) and the resulting toxicity of uric acid in the blood; and cerebral hiccups, due to cerebral pathology. These serious hiccups require medical attention and treatment. If the remedies in this section aren’t helpful and your hiccups are continuing longer than two days, see your doctor.

. Hiccups can also occur due to chronic constipation, bloating, and

CONSTIPATION MAY BE THE CAUSE

gases in the colon. If this appears to be the situation, do basti (enema), using 1 cup warm sesame oil for the enema. Try to retain the oil for at least 2 to 3 minutes, longer if possible. The warm oil in the rectum will relax the diaphragm and internal muscles and help alleviate the hiccups.

• If your hiccups are still continuing after another half hour, do a regular warm water enema.

Herbs Recommended

castor
sesame

Hiccups: Ayurvedic First Aid

Take two parts honey with one part castor oil. Also do pranayama.

Source: Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing, Appendix B: First Aid Treatments

Recommended Herbs for Hiccups

Ajwain Trachyspermum ammi syn. Trachyapermum copticum, Carum copticum/roxburghianum/ajowan, Ptychotis ajowan Deliciously aromatic, ajwain is a wonderful remedy for sluggish digestion and coughs. A truly warming seed. Amla Emblica officinalis Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is the most revered herb in Ayurveda — ranked by the Charaka Samhita as the single best Rasayana among all fruits. It contains one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C found in any food (600–900 mg per fruit), stabilized by tannins so it remains potent even after drying. Classical texts classify it as Tridosha Shamaka — balancing to all three doshas — with a particular strength in cooling Pitta, nourishing the blood, and rebuilding tissues after illness. Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Linn. Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) is a very common weed found throughout India. It is easily identified by its prickly chaff-like flowers that stick to clothes. The whole plant, especially the root and seeds (Kshara), is used medicinally. It is described as pungent, bitter, light, dry, sharp, and hot in potency. The text emphasizes its use in hemorrhoids (Arsha), digestive disorders, worm infestations, urinary disorders, and blood impurities. The seeds (Apamarga Kshara) are especially used for urinary calculi. It is also useful in treating snake bites and scorpion stings. The plant has two varieties - white (Shweta) and red (Rakta). Used externally for toothache and dental problems. Dose: powder 1-2 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Verse refs: pages 414-416. Bala Sida cordifolia Linn Bala (Sida cordifolia) is one of the most important Rasayana drugs in Ayurveda. It is a small shrub growing commonly in waste lands. The entire plant, especially the root, is used medicinally. Four types of Bala are recognized in classical texts: Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Nagabala (Grewia hirsuta), and Mahabala. Bala is the premier Vatahara and Balya drug - it increases strength (Bala), nourishes Ojas, and acts as a powerful tonic and rejuvenative. The root decoction is used in Vata diseases, nervous debility, and as a general restorative. It contains small amounts of Ephedrine. It is sweet in taste and cold in potency, making it ideal for Pitta-Vata conditions. Used extensively in medicated oils (Bala Taila) for external application in neuromuscular disorders. Dose: root powder 1-2 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Kadali Musa sapientum Linn. Kadali (Banana/Plantain) is cultivated extensively throughout India. Multiple varieties exist with different medicinal properties. The ripe fruit is sweet, heavy, satisfying and difficult to digest in large quantities. The raw (unripe) banana is astringent and used in diarrhea and dysentery. The banana stem juice is a well-known remedy for kidney stones and urinary disorders. The flowers are used as a vegetable and in diabetes. The plant is rich in potassium and other minerals. There are two main species mentioned - Musa paradisiaca (cooking banana) and Musa sapientum (dessert banana). The leaves are used as plates and for wrapping food. Dose: Fruit as food; stem juice 1-2 tola. Verse: 7. Bhallataka Semecarpus anacardium Bhallataka means ‘like a spear’, attesting to its ability to penetrate deeply into the tissues and rejuvenate the body. It benefits digestion, lung weakness and arthritis. It is a specific rejuvenating tonic for the reproductive system. Bharangi Clerodendrum serratum Spreng. Important drug for respiratory disorders. The root is the part used. Found throughout India. Used in many anti-asthmatic formulations. Bhumyamalaki Phyllanthus amarus/ niruri (erroneously) This is a very bitter-tasting small shrub that literally means ‘the amalaki of the earth’ as this very low-lying shrub’s leaves resemble the pattern and shape of her somewhat grander celestial namesake. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) is referred to in some books as Phyllanthus emblica. Bhumiamalaki is a wonderful liver remedy that is also effective for clearing gall and bladder stones. Brihati Solanum indicum Linn. Brihati (Solanum indicum), known as Badi Kateri in Hindi, is a member of the Laghu Panchamula. It is a prickly undershrub found commonly across India. The plant bears small round berries that turn yellow when ripe. The root, fruit, and whole plant are used medicinally. It is pungent and bitter with strong Kapha-reducing action, making it especially useful in respiratory conditions like cough, asthma, and hiccup. Together with Kantakari, it forms the pair known as 'Brihati-dvaya' or 'Kateri-dvaya'. The text notes its Solanum torvum Swartz as a related species. Castor Oil Plant RicinuscommunisLinn. (R. dicoccus) Main herb for swellings and purgation. Colic, headache, abdominal disorders, coagulatesblood; fruit enlarged liver and spleen; bark nervous diseases, rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica; dried root fevers; leaves warmed and appliedto nursing mother s breasts acts as a galactagogue.When applied to the stomach, promotes menstrualdischarge. Applied to painful joints, relieves pain; leaves internally purgative. Seed decoction lumbago, sciatica. Seed poultice is applied to ma-ture boils to promote bursting and to reduce goutyand rheumatic swellings. Oil the king of thepurgatives , king of Vayu disorders , inflamedbowels, infantile diarrhea, irritable conditions in debilitated adults and children; to facilitate delivery of baby; after childbirth to mother; in opera-tions for urinary stones; peritonitis, jaundice, dys-entery, urinary organ inflammation, articular rheu-matism. For rectum disorders and hemorrhoids, it is given in small doses to soften feces and lubri-cate the passage. Also helps with ingested glass. As a purgative, it is taken with ginger or dasshmul teas. Externally used for sore nipples during breastfeeding. In constipation it is used as an enema (2oz.: 1 pint water). Dropped into the eyes for con-junctivitis and irritations. It increases cow s milkwhen they eat the leaves. Externally oil mixedwith rice water for leg swelling; oil mixed withcoconut oil and water (1:2:6) for itching skin. Clove Syzygium aromaticum Lavanga (Cloves) are the dried unopened flower buds of the clove tree. Despite being pungent, they have a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya), which makes them unique among spices. Cloves are one of the most versatile aromatic drugs in Ayurveda - they improve digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, benefit the heart, and help in respiratory conditions. The essential oil is rich in Eugenol which has strong antiseptic and analgesic properties, making cloves particularly useful for dental pain. Mother cloves (fruits) are also used. Cloves pacify all three doshas. Copper Cuprum (Cu) Tamra (Copper) is described as the third important metal. Two types are recognized: Nepalese copper and Mlechha copper. Good copper is reddish, soft, heavy, and lustrous. Tamra Bhasma is one of the most important preparations in Rasa Shastra. It is used in liver disorders, spleen enlargement, skin diseases, piles, anemia, and abdominal diseases. Improperly prepared copper Bhasma can cause severe vomiting, burning, and toxicity. It is an excellent Krimighna (anthelmintic) and Yakrituttejaka (liver stimulant). Verses: 19-22.

▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)

Ayurvedic Perspective on Hiccup

Dosha Involvement: Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Ayurvedic Therapies: For both difficult breathing and hiccup oil and sweat (na i, bolus or steam tent see Chap- ter 7) are required. First, persons undergo an oil mas- sage with black salt (with Pitta constitution) When there are Pitta problems, such as burning, excessive bleeding or sweating, weakness and tissue depletion,or pregnancy, black salt should not be used. Oil loos- ens and dissolves the thick phlegm blocking thebreathing channels, softening them, and rebalancingVayu. Afterwards, a light diet of basmati rice and ghee or sesame oil is taken to increase Kapha. Then one isready for emesis with pippali, roc

Key Herbs: Triphala, Turmeric, Ginger, Punarnava, Chitrak, Bala, Amalaki, Amla, Pippali, Coriander, Sandalwood, Vacha

Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 16: Liver and Lungs

References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan

Suppression of belching: उ गार या चः क पो वब धो दयोरसोः आ मानकास ह मा च ह माव त भेषजम ् ८ Suppression of belching may cause Aruchi – Anorexia, lack of interest in taking food Kampa – tremors Vibandha – constipation Hrudayo Raso – stiffening sensation in chest region Adhmana – bloating, gaseous distension of abdomen Kasa – cough, cold Hidhma – hiccup The treatment for this is similar to treatment for suppression of hiccups.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Roganutpadaniya

Urakshata - Chest injury Krusha – highly emaciated, Ama Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery due to Ama or diarrhea of recent onset, Vami – vomiting, Samshuddha – who have undergone purification therapies (Panchakarma), Datta Navana – who have been administered nasal medication Shvasa COPD, Asthma, Dyspnoea Kasa – cough, cold Praseka excessive salivation Arsha – Hemorrhoids Hidhma – Hiccups Adhmana Adbominal bloating Alpavahni- low digestion strength Shunapayu Swelling in the rectum Kruta Ahara Who ha
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Vasti Vidhi Enema

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Roganutpadaniya; Vasti Vidhi Enema

References in Charaka Samhita

16-17), belching suppression causes hiccups/dyspnea (v.
— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 7: Non-suppressible & Suppressible Natural Urges (Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya / नवेगान्धारणीय अध्याय)

Indications: rhinitis, cough, hiccups, respiratory difficulty, earache, headache, facial palsy, hemiplegia, abdominal distension, constipation, urinary retention, sciatica, joint stiffness, numbness.
— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 14: Sudation Therapies (Swedadhyaya / स्वेदाध्याय)

Now we shall expound the chapter "Hikka-Shwasa chikitsa"(Management of Hikka (Hiccups) and Shwasa (Dyspnea)).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)

Dhumavarti (inhalation of the fume from an incense stick) of brihati (Solanum indicum), kantakari and leaves of adhaki cures hiccups caused by poisoning.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

In general the following are the signs and symptoms of spider bite-swelling, boils, white-black-red or yellow, fever, terrible dyspnea, burning sensation, hiccups and stiffness in head.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 7: Non-suppressible & Suppressible Natural Urges (Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya / नवेगान्धारणीय अध्याय); Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 14: Sudation Therapies (Swedadhyaya / स्वेदाध्याय); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

With Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) and Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra) added, this decoction also cures Hikka (hiccups) and destroys Pitta disorders.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

This Churna destroys Kasa (cough), Shvasa (dyspnea), and Jvara (fever), cures Hikka (hiccups), and eliminates Pitta disorders.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

They destroy Plihana (splenic disorders), Shlipada (elephantiasis), Shotha (edema), Hikka (hiccups), Meha (urinary disorders), and Bhagandara (fistula-in-ano).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations)

In excessive vomiting: thirst, hiccups, loss of consciousness, tongue protrusion, jaw locking, bloody vomiting, sneezing, and throat pain arise.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 3: Vamana Vidhi (Emesis Therapy)

Treatment of liver abscess (Yakrit-vidradhi-chikitsa): Having diagnosed a liver abscess through symptoms like hiccups (hikka), dyspnea (shvasa), and pain (vyatha).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 1: Diseases of the Liver (Yakrit Roga Adhikara)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 4: Gutikakalpana (Tablet/Pill Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 3: Vamana Vidhi (Emesis Therapy); Parishishtam, Chapter 1: Diseases of the Liver (Yakrit Roga Adhikara)

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.