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cilantro
Herbs & Spices
Is cilantro high in histamine?
Is cilantro high or low in histamine? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why histamine food checker matters
Histamine is a compound naturally present in many foods, especially aged, fermented, or preserved items. In sensitive individuals, excess histamine can cause headaches, flushing, hives, digestive issues, and other symptoms. Your body normally breaks down histamine, but some people have reduced capacity to do so.
- Focus on fresh foods - histamine builds up as food ages
- Cook and eat meals fresh; avoid leftovers sitting more than 24 hours
- Be cautious with fermented foods, aged cheeses, and cured meats
- Consider that stress and hormones can affect your histamine tolerance
- Some antihistamines or DAO supplements may help (consult your doctor)
Sensitivities
What cilantro contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cilantro fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about cilantro
Cilantro is one of the cleanest fresh herbs for food sensitivities: low in histamine, low FODMAP, gluten free and clean on nickel, oxalates and sulfites. Its only measurable caveat is moderate salicylates, in line with most green herbs. The famous "cilantro tastes like soap" complaint is not an allergy or intolerance at all: it is a harmless genetic quirk in smell-receptor genes near OR6A2 that makes certain aldehydes in the leaf read as soapy.
Watch for
- Moderate salicylates, the one real chemical caveat, so it is worth noting on a strict low-salicylate plan; and note that many common herbs, including parsley, basil and mint, run higher in salicylates than cilantro does
- The soapy taste is genetics, not a reaction: an inherited variant near the OR6A2 olfactory-receptor cluster makes cilantro aldehydes smell soapy to roughly 4 to 14% of people, and it is completely harmless
- True cilantro allergy exists but is uncommon, and it is a separate thing from the soapy-taste gene
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Histamine Guide
Everything you need to know about histamine sensitivity and smart food choices.
Histamine is a compound naturally present in many foods, especially aged, fermented, or preserved items. In sensitive individuals, excess histamine can cause headaches, flushing, hives, digestive issues, and other symptoms. Your body normally breaks down histamine, but some people have reduced capacity to do so.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Histamine sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in histamine and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Histamine, consider these strategies:
- 1Focus on fresh foods - histamine builds up as food ages
- 2Cook and eat meals fresh; avoid leftovers sitting more than 24 hours
- 3Be cautious with fermented foods, aged cheeses, and cured meats
- 4Consider that stress and hormones can affect your histamine tolerance
- 5Some antihistamines or DAO supplements may help (consult your doctor)
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is cilantro high in Histamine?
Histamine: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat cilantro if I'm sensitive to Histamine?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Low Salicylate, and Low Fibre next for a fuller picture.