Apigenin

Bronze· animal data only

A chamomile-derived flavonoid popularised for sleep, largely on preclinical grounds.

Apigenin is a flavonoid found in chamomile and parsley that binds benzodiazepine-type receptors in the brain, which is the rationale for its recent popularity as a sleep aid.

Most of the supporting evidence is from cell and animal studies rather than human sleep trials, so its promotion as an isolated sleep supplement runs ahead of direct data. Chamomile (which contains it) has more human evidence than isolated apigenin.

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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

Last reviewed: