Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Acharya Balkrishna Shares Cardamom Remedy for Persistent Hiccups
Hiccups happen when a breathing muscle called the diaphragm suddenly jumps or tightens.
This makes air rush into the lungs and causes the familiar hiccup sound.
Acharya Balkrishna says sucking on a small cardamom pod may stop hiccups.
After sucking it for a short time, he recommends chewing it.
The swallowing and chewing might change the body’s breathing rhythm.
However, scientists have not done much research on cardamom specifically for hiccups.
Most hiccups disappear by themselves after a few minutes.
People also try drinking water slowly, holding their breath briefly, or swallowing sugar.
Acharya Balkrishna advised sucking on one small cardamom, or elaichi, pod for persistent hiccups.
His Facebook post says the hiccups may stop within minutes after the pod is chewed.
Chewing cardamom can stimulate saliva and swallowing, potentially interrupting diaphragm spasms.
Research on cardamom has focused on digestion, blood pressure, oral health, and antioxidant effects—not hiccups.
Most hiccups resolve on their own; other traditional remedies include sipping water, briefly holding the breath, and swallowing sugar.
- Who
- Acharya Balkrishna, who is associated with Patanjali Ayurved, shared the advice.
- What
- He recommended sucking on and then chewing one small cardamom, or elaichi, pod to address persistent hiccups.
- When
- The advice was shared on Facebook this week.
- Where
- It was shared on Facebook and presented as a remedy that can be used at home or elsewhere.
- Why
- Chewing cardamom may stimulate swallowing and help interrupt the diaphragm spasms associated with hiccups, although direct clinical evidence is limited.
Traditional Remedy Supporters
Evidence-Based Caution
Effectiveness for hiccups
Traditional Remedy Supporters
The cardamom method is based on traditional use and is described as convenient, simple, and potentially effective within minutes.
Evidence-Based Caution
There is no large body of controlled clinical research confirming cardamom as a treatment for hiccups.
Why it might work
Traditional Remedy Supporters
Sucking and chewing the pod may stimulate saliva, swallowing, and changes in breathing that interrupt the hiccup cycle.
Evidence-Based Caution
This proposed mechanism has not been established as a clinically proven explanation for cardamom’s effect on hiccups.
- Recommended remedy
- Place one small cardamom or elaichi pod in the mouth, suck on it, and then chew it.
- Claimed timing
- Acharya Balkrishna said hiccups may stop within minutes.
- Scientific evidence
- Studies have examined cardamom for digestion, blood pressure, oral health, and antioxidant effects, but not extensively for hiccups.
- Possible mechanism
- Chewing may increase saliva and activate swallowing muscles, potentially altering the breathing rhythm.
- Common hiccup triggers
- Eating quickly, swallowing air, carbonated drinks, sudden food or drink temperature changes, stress, and excitement.
- Other traditional remedies
- Slowly sipping water, briefly holding the breath, and swallowing a spoonful of sugar.