APIGENIN
Apigenin is a natural plant compound found in chamomile and parsley. It's best known for its link to chamomile's calming effects, and newer research is looking at mast cells and inflammation too.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
Where to buy is near the bottom of this post.
WHAT IS APIGENIN?
- Apigenin is a flavonoid (a natural plant compound) in the flavone family.
- It's found in parsley, celery, chamomile, oranges, onions, oregano, basil and peppermint. Dried parsley is one of the richest sources, followed by chamomile.
- It's one of the key compounds in chamomile and is thought to be part of why chamomile feels calming. In lab studies, apigenin interacts with GABA-A receptors, the same calming receptors that some anxiety medicines act on.
- Apigenin doesn't dissolve well in water, which makes it harder for the body to absorb.
APIGENIN, LUTEOLIN AND QUERCETIN
- Apigenin, luteolin and quercetin are close cousins in the flavonoid family, but each one works a little differently.
- Apigenin and luteolin are both flavones and are very similar in structure. In a lab study using mouse liver cells, some apigenin was turned into luteolin.
- Luteolin and quercetin are best known for mast cell support, while apigenin adds its own mast cell support plus a calming touch.
SLEEP (CHAMOMILE STUDIES)
- Most studies in people used chamomile, where apigenin is one of the key compounds, not apigenin by itself. Keep that in mind as you read.
- A 2024 review of 10 studies (772 people) found chamomile improved sleep quality scores. It helped people fall asleep more easily in 3 of 4 studies and wake up less during the night in 2 of 3 studies. It did not lengthen total sleep time or improve daytime tiredness. No side effects were reported.
ANXIETY (CHAMOMILE STUDIES)
- Older study (2009): in a University of Pennsylvania trial of 57 people with mild to moderate generalized anxiety, chamomile extract standardized to 1.2% apigenin lowered anxiety scores more than placebo over 8 weeks. The researchers called the effect modest.
- Older study (2016): in a longer trial, 93 people with moderate to severe generalized anxiety who improved on chamomile either stayed on it or switched to placebo for 26 weeks. Those who stayed on chamomile kept their anxiety symptoms lower. Fewer of them had symptoms come back (15.2% vs. 25.5%), but that difference was not large enough to be certain.
MAST CELLS AND THE GUT
- In a 2025 animal study, apigenin calmed gut inflammation in mice with colitis by stopping a cycle of mast cell release that doesn't involve allergies (the MRGPRX2 pathway). This may matter for MCAS, since many mast cell flares aren't true allergies.
- In a 2023 animal study, stressed rats had calmer mast cells and calmer microglia (the brain's immune cells) with apigenin. Their gut lining got stronger, their gut bacteria improved and their gut was less sensitive to pain.
- These are animal and lab studies, so studies in people are still needed. Apigenin is not an antihistamine.
BRAIN INFLAMMATION
- A 2024 review of 16 lab and animal studies found apigenin lowered inflammatory cytokines and calmed microglia in the brain.
- A 2026 review on multiple sclerosis found the same calming effects in animal studies, but noted apigenin has not yet been tested in clinical trials for MS.
A note from me: this list doesn't cover everything. Apigenin may offer more benefits than I've included here. I'm sharing the uses that are best known or most studied as of today, from sources I trust. Research keeps growing, and one post can only cover so much.
BEFORE YOU START
- Read the warning on the label.
- If you're allergic to ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds or mugwort, avoid chamomile products. Memorial Sloan Kettering warns of allergy cross-reactions with these plants.
- Talk with your doctor first if you take blood thinners. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes chamomile may raise the risk of bruising or bleeding.
- Chamomile may add to the effects of sleep medicines and sedatives.
- In a rat study, apigenin raised blood levels of a cancer medicine, and in lab studies chamomile affected liver enzymes that process many medicines. If you take prescription medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
- If you're pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor first.
- Always ask your doctor before adding anything new.
MY EXPERIENCE
I take apigenin every day as part of Find Relief.
FIND RELIEF HIGHLIGHT
- Apigenin is in Find Relief, at 55 mg of apigenin (standardized to 98%) per 3-capsule serving.
- How it works with luteolin and quercetin: these related flavonoids each work a little differently. Together they support mast cells before too much is released, help balance more than histamine alone and add antioxidant support. Apigenin adds a calming touch.
FIND RELIEF - LUTEOLIN, QUERCETIN, AND APIGENIN: COMPLEMENTARY MAST-CELL FLAVONOIDS
- How it works with PEA and white peony: PEA supports comfort in the body and nerves, apigenin supports feeling calm and relaxed, and white peony has a traditional history of use for relaxed muscles and a balanced nervous system. Together they support relaxation and sleep in several gentle ways, rather than acting like a sedative.
FIND RELIEF - PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE (PEA), APIGENIN, AND WHITE PEONY: PHYSICAL COMFORT, RELAXATION, AND SLEEP
- Apigenin is also part of the formula's mast cell, leukotriene and cytokine support:
FIND RELIEF - HISTAMINE AND MAST-CELL SUPPORT
FIND RELIEF - LEUKOTRIENE-PATHWAY SUPPORT
FIND RELIEF - CYTOKINE-SIGNALING SUPPORT
- See every Find Relief post in one place:
FIND RELIEF DIRECTORY
WHERE TO BUY
One I personally love: Find Relief, formulated by my doctor, Dr. Thoring.
I invested in Vital Harmony Nutritionals to help bring Find Relief to market, because I wanted a formula that saves people money.
MORE RESEARCH WITH MIXED RESULTS
- A 2022 review of 29 trials comparing 12 herbs for anxiety found there wasn't enough evidence to say whether chamomile works better than placebo.
- In a 2026 trial of 103 healthy, active adults, an evening blend of 50 mg apigenin, magnesium L-threonate and L-theanine taken for 2 weeks showed few clear benefits for sleep or stress. The authors noted the people studied were healthy and the study was short.
RELATED POSTS
LUTEOLIN
SLEEP - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
DEPRESSION / ANXIETY - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
MAST CELL / MCAS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
SOURCES
Apigenin and multiple sclerosis, review, Biology (2026)
Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Chamomile (2022)
Chamomile and sleep, review of 10 studies, Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2024)
Amsterdam et al., University of Pennsylvania, chamomile and anxiety trial (2009, older source, still worth reading)
Mao et al., long-term chamomile and anxiety trial (2016, older source, still worth reading)
Apigenin, mast cells and colitis in mice, Phytomedicine (2025)
Apigenin, mast cells and the gut in stressed rats (2023)
Apigenin and brain inflammation, review of 16 studies, Inflammopharmacology (2024)
Apigenin and a cancer medicine in rats, Molecules (2023)
Zhang et al., herbs for anxiety, review of 29 trials (2022)
Evening apigenin blend trial, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2026)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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