Heads up: Buckley’s Cough Syrup is gluten-free. It does, however, taste like white, viscous pine innards. I coughed more after I took it out of sheer disgust. I can’t say whether it worked or not, because I downed two teaspoons worth and intend to give it some time to do its thang before I judge.

Buckley’s didn’t actually list their cough and cold medicine as gluten free on their bottle or their website. I couldn’t find an easy answer on the internet. Instead, I had to google each ingredient separately. What I found is fascinating!

Ingredients of note:

• Camphor: comes from an evergreen in Asia, camphor laurel.
• Canadian Balsam: from a Canadian fir tree
• Carrageenan: from RED SEAWEED
• Pine Needle Oil
• Tincture of Capsicum: a cayenne pepper derivative

In order to get over my cough, I’ve decided to swim in the ocean and walk through the evergreen forests near my house, ingesting pine needles and seaweed as I go. If I did that, I’m pretty sure my meal would taste better than what I just swallowed.