Honey for Hiccups: Why a Spoonful Might Work (Sometimes)
Honey for hiccups is one of those tricks passed down in families: swallow a spoonful slowly and the hiccups often stop. Sugar on the tongue is an even older version. There is no large study proving it works, but there is a sensible theory about why sweet, thick foods might interrupt the hiccup reflex. This article explains what hiccups are, why honey for hiccups may help some people, how to try it safely, other simple tricks, and when persistent hiccups are a reason to see a doctor. For throat comfort in general, see honey for sore throat.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What hiccups are
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe. Each contraction is followed by the vocal cords snapping shut, which makes the familiar hic sound.
Common triggers include eating too fast, a full stomach, fizzy drinks, alcohol, sudden temperature changes and excitement or stress. Mayo Clinic's hiccups overview lists these and notes that most bouts stop on their own within minutes.
Hiccups seem to serve no useful purpose in adults, although scientists have several theories about why the reflex exists in the first place.
Why honey for hiccups might help
The hiccup reflex runs through the vagus and phrenic nerves. Many home remedies seem to work by giving these nerves a strong new signal, which may interrupt the hiccup loop. Holding your breath, sipping ice water and swallowing something thick or sweet all do this in different ways.
Honey is sweet, thick and slow to swallow. Holding a spoonful on the tongue and then swallowing it slowly stimulates the mouth and throat, which may be enough to reset the reflex for some people.
That is a reasonable idea, but it has not been tested in clinical trials. Honey for hiccups works for some people and not others, much like every other home trick.
How to try honey for hiccups
If you want to try it, keep it simple. Take a level teaspoon of honey, let it sit on your tongue for a few seconds, then swallow slowly. Some people mix the honey with a little warm water and sip it.
If it does not work after one or two tries, switch to a different trick rather than eating more honey.
- Use about a teaspoon.
- Let it rest on your tongue before swallowing.
- Swallow slowly and breathe calmly.
- Try once or twice, then move on.
Other tricks people use
These are common home approaches. None is proven, but they are generally harmless for healthy adults:
| Trick | Possible way it works |
|---|---|
| Holding your breath briefly | Raises carbon dioxide and resets breathing rhythm |
| Sipping ice-cold water | Stimulates the vagus nerve |
| Swallowing a pinch of sugar | Stimulates the mouth and throat |
| Breathing into a paper bag briefly | Raises carbon dioxide |
| Pulling knees to chest | Compresses the chest and diaphragm |
| Gargling with water | Stimulates the throat |
Honey for hiccups in children
Children over 12 months can try a small amount of honey for hiccups. Toddlers may find it fun to hold a little honey on their tongue. Supervise to avoid choking, and keep the amount small.
Babies get hiccups often, especially after feeds. They usually do not bother the baby and stop on their own. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, because of the risk of infant botulism explained by the CDC.
Preventing hiccups
If you get hiccups often, a few habits may help. Eat more slowly and take smaller bites. Avoid gulping fizzy drinks. Limit alcohol. Try not to overfill your stomach at a single meal.
Some people notice hiccups after spicy foods or very hot drinks. Paying attention to your own triggers is the most useful prevention.
When hiccups need a doctor
Hiccups that last more than 48 hours, or that interfere with eating, breathing or sleeping, should be checked by a doctor. Persistent hiccups can sometimes be linked to nerve irritation, stomach problems, certain medicines or other conditions.
Doctors have treatments for persistent hiccups and will look for the underlying cause.
Why sweet remedies became so popular
Sugar for hiccups was mentioned in medical literature decades ago, and the idea spread quickly because sugar is in every kitchen. Honey for hiccups is a natural extension: just as handy, and many people find it more pleasant than a spoon of dry sugar.
Like many folk remedies, it persists because it is easy, cheap and sometimes seems to work, even if the hiccups might have stopped anyway.
Safety reminders
People with diabetes should count even small amounts of honey. Anyone with a pollen or bee product allergy should avoid raw honey unless their doctor approves. And again, honey is never for babies under 12 months.
Honey for hiccups after a big meal
Hiccups often show up after a large or rushed meal, when a full stomach presses on the diaphragm. If that is your pattern, try honey for hiccups only after sitting upright for a few minutes and taking slow breaths. Sometimes the hiccups fade on their own once the stomach settles.
A warm cup of peppermint tea with honey after dinner is a gentle habit some people enjoy, though peppermint can bother people with reflux.
A spoonful from the pantry
A jar of raw honey is handy for tea, toast and the occasional hiccup experiment. Al Safa honey is never heated above hive temperature and is sold as food, not a remedy.
Find one you like in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Hiccups: Symptoms and causes · Mayo Clinic
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Honey (drugs and supplements overview) · Mayo Clinic
Frequently asked questions
- Does honey stop hiccups?
- It may for some people by stimulating nerves in the mouth and throat. There is no clinical trial evidence.
- How much honey should I use for hiccups?
- About a teaspoon, held on the tongue and swallowed slowly.
- Is sugar or honey better for hiccups?
- Both work the same way in theory. Use whichever you have and prefer.
- Can babies have honey for hiccups?
- No. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
- When are hiccups serious?
- If they last more than 48 hours or interfere with eating, breathing or sleep, see a doctor.
- Why do I get hiccups after eating?
- Eating fast, a full stomach and fizzy drinks are common triggers.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.