Histamine Tracker
Cough drops
Most cough drops are low in histamine, but menthol, mint, and certain herbal ingredients may be triggers for some people.
Cough drops aren't a significant histamine source, but their active ingredients are worth a quick look.
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Menthol and mint — peppermint and menthol are among the ingredients some people with histamine sensitivity report reacting to; these are the most common flavoring agents in standard cough drops
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Herbal varieties — some cough drops contain elderberry, licorice root, or other botanicals that have anecdotal associations with histamine sensitivity, though the evidence here is limited
Plain honey-lemon or simple varieties with minimal ingredients tend to be the most straightforward option.
Track your reactions to cough drops in Histamine Tracker. Log meals and symptoms to spot the patterns that matter for your body.
For educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal guidance.
References
- SIGHI Food Compatibility List — SIGHI (2026)
- Histamine and histamine intolerance — Maintz & Novak (2007)
- Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art — Comas-Basté et al. (2020)
- Low-Histamine Diets: Is the Exclusion of Foods Justified by Their Histamine Content? — Sánchez-Pérez et al. (2021)
- Histamine Intolerance: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Beyond — Jochum (2024)
- Guideline on management of suspected adverse reactions to ingested histamine — Reese et al. (2021)