Now and then we all get an attack of the hiccups!  Hiccups are caused by involuntary contractions of the diaphragm.  The diaphragm is a muscle positioned under your lungs that allows you to breathe.

Hiccups are a reflex action that you cannot control and appear to have no real purpose or function.   We all get hiccups from time to time often for no apparent reason but they can be due to:

Overeating
Eating too fast
Drinking fizzy drinks
Swallowing air
A sudden change in temperature
Overexcitement

Instead of trying to hold your breath for 10 minutes or choking while you try and drink a cup of water upside down try these home and Herbal Remedies:

• A spoonful of sugar can help to ease a hiccup fit.  Take one tablespoon and swallow it slowly.
• Ginger is another great herbal remedy for hiccups.  Chew on small pieces and feel the hiccups melt away.
• Mix a tablespoon of cardamom powder to a glass of water.  Pour the mixture into a pan and boil until it reduces to half the quantity.  Allow to cool a little and then sip.  This will soothe the diaphragm.
• Inhale black pepper to induce a sneezing fit!  This will cause sharp movement in the diaphragm and will stop the hiccups
• Bite on a lemon!