Apigenin supplements are safe and effective. Some potential side effects include daytime drowsiness, mild digestive discomfort, lightheadedness, vivid dreams, and mild allergic reactions like itching, sinus congestion, or skin rashes.
In rare cases, severe reactions such as difficulty breathing may occur. While apigenin is commonly used for stress and sleep support, it’s not a substitute for prescribed anxiety medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before changing your treatment plan.
Those sensitive to chamomile or plants in the Asteraceae family have reported mild allergic reactions, such as itching, sinus congestion, or skin rashes. In rare cases, more severe reactions like difficulty breathing may occur. While apigenin is commonly used for stress and sleep support, it’s not a substitute for prescribed anxiety medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before changing your treatment plan. [1].
Apigenin is most generally safe to consume within a 50-500 mg daily, but at higher doses, it's possible to experience side effects like stomach upset and nausea.
Potential Apigenin Effects
Apigenin doesn't seem to have many side effects when consumed in foods like chamomile tea or parsley. And thankfully, there haven't been any reported cases of toxicity with apigenin.
However, supplements typically have a much higher concentration of apigenin, which you wouldn't find naturally, and these higher doses can lead to adverse effects, though they're not very common.
Sedation
One of the most commonly reported side effects of apigenin supplements is a deep urge to sleep. Since apigenin interacts with GABA-A receptors, it may cause mild sedation or drowsiness, particularly if taken in high doses or before activities requiring alertness.
In mice, apigenin helped reduce anxiety, but it didn't make them sleepy like some medications that interact with the same GABA receptors. But when given very high doses of apigenin, it caused mild sedation, making the mice less active [2].
However, unlike stronger medications, apigenin does not cause drowsiness or muscle weakness at regular doses. This means apigenin doesn't work like sleep medications or seizure treatments, but may help people feel calmer overall.
Digestive Issues
Some individuals may experience stomach discomfort, bloating, or nausea, especially when taking concentrated supplements on an empty stomach.
If you experience bloating, nausea, or stomach issues when taking apigenin, you might be able to reduce the chance of stomach irritation if you take apigenin with a light meal or snack. This slows down its absorption and reduces direct contact with the stomach lining.
Another thing that could cause irritation is the higher dosage, especially if you're new to the compound. You may want to consider a dose between 25-50 mg if you find that 100 mg is too strong for you until your body adjusts to the increased apigenin intake.
If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid taking apigenin with coffee, citrus juices, or other acidic beverages that may worsen irritation.
Potential Allergic Reactions to Apigenin
People allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (like chamomile, daisies, or ragweed) should be careful because apigenin is commonly sourced from chamomile.
That being said, apigenin itself isn't a common allergen, but some individuals with plant-based allergies can have immune system overreactions when they come into contact with certain botanical compounds.
Mild allergic reactions might look like:
-
Skin rash, itching
-
Runny nose, sneezing, congestion
-
Mild stomach upset
More severe allergic reactions that require medical attention look like:
-
Difficulty breathing
-
Swelling of the face and throat
-
Hives
-
Dizziness or fainting
If you're unsure whether you're allergic to apigenin, you can test your tolerance by opening the capsule and rubbing a small amount of the apigenin powder inside your wrist. If you start itching, you may have an intolerance to apigenin.
The next step is to try a small amount of apigenin (50 mg) internally and wait 24 hours, monitoring for any signs of allergic reactions.
If you're good here, then you're likely not allergic to apigenin, but you still should stick to the normal dosage of apigenin (50-300 mg daily) — taking more isn't necessarily going to make apigenin work better for you.
Hormonal Changes
To be clear, apigenin isn't a direct hormone booster, meaning it won't significantly increase or decrease hormone levels like synthetic hormones or hormone therapy. However, research suggests it may influence specific hormone-related pathways, particularly those involving estrogen and testosterone [3, 4].
Because apigenin interacts with hormone pathways, those with hormone-sensitive conditions like (PCOS, endometriosis, breast cancer, or prostate cancer) or on hormone therapy should consult with their healthcare provider before taking apigenin regularly.
Possible Drug Interactions
If you take prescription medications and are considering taking apigenin supplements, please speak with your healthcare provider first. They can check for possible interactions based on your conditions.
The CYP450 enzyme family is responsible for breaking down medications in the liver, and some studies suggest that apigenin can influence CYP450 activity, meaning it could speed or slow down how certain drugs are processed, resulting in higher or lower drug levels in the bloodstream [5].
Medications that could be affected by apigenin include blood thinners, anti-depressants, statins, immunosuppressants, and chemotherapy drugs.
Reviews + Online Testimonials Highlighting Side Effects
Many take apigenin supplements for relaxation and antioxidant support for general health. Online reviews and testimonials highlight some common side effects users have reported.
The experiences vary, but these shared experiences might provide a better understanding of what to expect when taking apigenin.
-
Drowsiness and Fatigue: Some users report feeling more relaxed than expected, leading to daytime sleepiness, especially in high doses. Most people take apigenin for bedtime, so taking it during the day might not be the best use of this supplement.
-
Digestive Discomfort: A few users experience bloating, nausea, or mild stomach upset, particularly when taking apigenin on an empty stomach.
-
Mild Dizziness: Some people mention feeling lightheaded after taking apigenin, particularly when combined with other calming supplements or medications.
-
Vivid Dreams: While apigenin is commonly used for sleep support, we've encountered several reports of more intense dreams or disrupted sleep cycles.
-
Allergic Reactions: People with sensitivities to chamomile or related plants in the Asteraceae family report mild allergic symptoms, such as itching or sinus congestion.
Overview of Apigenin Side Effects
Most people find apigenin beneficial for relaxation, stress reduction, and improving sleep quality with minimal side effects. A small percentage of users have reported online feeling stomach discomfort, excessive drowsiness, or mild dizziness, which often improves when taking apigenin in lower doses or with a light snack.
To further help mitigate the chances of adverse effects, you should start with a lower dose of apigenin (50-100 mg), take it with food, and make sure you're not combining it with medications that can produce negative interactions.
Resources:
-
Avallone, R., Zanoli, P., Puia, G., Kleinschnitz, M., Schreier, P., & Baraldi, M. (2000). Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochemical pharmacology, 59(11), 1387-1394.
-
Viola, H., Wasowski, C., De Stein, M. L., Wolfman, C., Silveira, R., Dajas, F., ... & Paladini, A. C. (1995). Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine receptors-ligand with anxiolytic effects. Planta medica, 61(03), 213-216.
-
Rice, S., Mason, H. D., & Whitehead, S. A. (2006). Phytoestrogens and their low dose combinations inhibit mRNA expression and activity of aromatase in human granulosa-luteal cells. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 101(4-5), 216-225.
-
During, A., & Larondelle, Y. (2013). The O-methylation of chrysin markedly improves its intestinal anti-inflammatory properties: Structure–activity relationships of flavones. Biochemical pharmacology, 86(12), 1739-1746.
-
Shimada, H., Eto, M., Ohtaguro, M., Ohtsubo, M., Mizukami, Y., Ide, T., & Imamura, Y. (2010). Differential mechanisms for the inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1A2 by apigenin and genistein. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 24(4), 230-234.
