Apigenin is a very common and widely distributed flavonoid. Flavonoids are a class of naturally occurring phytochemicals that are found in plant tissues. Plants use flavonoids to protect themselves from pathogens and radiation from the sun. Flavonoids are also used by plants to regulate their metabolism.It is obtained from the dried flowers of Matricaria chamomilla, an annual herb native to Western Asia and Europe.

Other food sources include fruits, vegetables and herbs, like parsley (dried: 45 mg/gram fresh: 215.5 mg/100 grams), celery (19.1 mg/100 grams), celeriac, red and white sorghum, tarragon, yarrow, basil, rutabagas, oranges, kumquats, onions, wheat sprouts, thyme, spearmint, and cilantro.

Chamomile Tea has a very high percentage of Apigenin, between .8% and 1.2%.

• Anti-inflammatory
• May lower anxiety levels
• May act as a anti-depressant
• Can trigger muscle relaxation and sedation
• May help with daytime function for those who suffer from insomnia

Apigenin increases Testosterone production.

The typical dose is 50mg, higher doses are available.

Apigenin is considered safe. No toxicity has been reported, even at high doses.

Higher doses of Apigenin can cause stomach discomfort. Consult your doctor if this should occur. Some may be allergic to chamomile tea or apigenin. Stop taking it if you experience side effects.

Chamomile has always been used as a way to reduce inflammation. Apigenin promotes anti-inflammation as it prevents IKB kinase degradation which promotes proinflammatory activation.

Research shows that apigenin stimulates hair growth.

Chamomile tea has been traditionally used for relieving symptoms of insomnia for years due to its active chemicals, which included apigenin.

A small study was performed with 34 chronically insomniac adults between ages 18-65. Each person was given chamomile flower extract, with at least 2.5 mg of apigenin. These participants had experienced the condition for six months or longer and had a total daily sleep time of 6.5 hours or less.The researchers found that there were no significant differences between the treatment and control groups, which included differences in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep quality, and number of times that they awakened during sleep.While it did not appear to have an impact on sleep quality itself, the researchers did observe a modest improvement in daytime functioning. They concluded that chamomile may be useful to improve daytime functioning for people suffering from insomnia.

Chamomile has traditionally been used for treating anxiety and depression. A randomized, long-term clinical trial for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder was initiated in 2016. The trial saw the administration of 1500 mg (500 mg capsules three times daily) of chamomile extract to trial participants.179 participants initially took part in an open-label phase, a phase of the trial. In the second phase, 93 participants were randomized to either 26 weeks of continued chamomile treatment or given a placebo in a double-blind study.Participants taking chamomile extract were shown to have significantly lower anxiety levels than participants in the placebo group. The chamomile group also showed a reduction of body weight and mean arterial blood pressure. Chamomile appeared to be safe and had a significant effect on symptoms.

A 2012 study saw chamomile extract used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Chamomile extract with a 1.2% apigenin content was administered to trial participants with anxiety; co-morbid depression, or anxiety with a history of depression; and anxiety with no current or past depression.The 57 participants were given either chamomile extract or a placebo. The results showed a significant reduction in total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores with chamomile treatment. This suggests that chamomile extract may have an antidepressant effect.This is good news, as research shows that depression can have a negative impact on the rate at which we age.