Apigenin: what the plant substance is, occurrence & use

Apigenin is a secondary plant substance from the group of flavonoids, more precisely the flavones. The substance occurs naturally in many herbs, vegetables and fruits and is known in particular for its content in chamomile. In recent years, apigenin has also been offered as a component of food supplements. Anyone who deals with it should understand which substance it is chemically, in which foods it occurs, in which forms it is available and what to pay attention to with selection, intake and safety. This guide classifies apigenin objectively, without health-related promises of effect, because in the EU no such claims are authorised for this substance.

What is apigenin?

Apigenin belongs to the polyphenols and there to the subgroup of flavones. It is a widely distributed secondary plant substance, i.e. a compound that plants form, among other things, as a dye, for defence or for protection and which does not serve pure growth. Apigenin is closely related to the flavone luteolin, which carries an additional functional group.

For humans, apigenin is not an essential nutrient, so the body is not dependent on a certain intake and does not develop a deficiency in the absence of intake. Chemically, apigenin is only poorly water-soluble, which influences its absorption from foods. It belongs to the bioactive accompanying substances of a plant-rich diet and is investigated in research like many other flavonoids, predominantly in the laboratory and in animal models. However, robust, authorised health-related statements for humans do not exist in the EU.

Occurrence in foods

Apigenin is contained in numerous plant foods, especially in certain herbs. The best-known source is chamomile, which is why apigenin is often mentioned in connection with chamomile tea. Further sources are parsley, celery as well as some spices and vegetables. The contents fluctuate clearly depending on variety, drying and preparation; dried herbs often contain more relative to weight than fresh ones.

• Chamomile: is considered one of the best-known apigenin sources, above all in dried form and as a tea.
• Parsley: contains comparatively high amounts, especially dried.
• Celery: provides apigenin via stalks and leaves.

Via a normal, varied diet, smaller amounts of apigenin are taken in regularly. Anyone who wants to increase the proportion of flavonoids benefits from a colourful diet rich in herbs, fruit and vegetables, as is also recommended by professional societies such as the German Nutrition Society. Fresh or dried herbs are an easy way to increase the daily intake.

Forms as a food supplement

As a food supplement, apigenin is offered predominantly in the form of capsules with a standardised content. The raw material is often obtained from chamomile or parsley. The amount contained is usually above what can be achieved via foods alone.

Since apigenin is poorly water-soluble, some products combine it with oils or special formulations in order to support absorption and increase bioavailability. It is sometimes also sold as a component of combination preparations with other plant substances. For a meaningful comparison, the pure apigenin content actually stated per portion is decisive, not the total amount of the extract used. Anyone who chooses combination products should check how much apigenin is actually contained in each case.

Intake and dosage

There are no official, binding dosage recommendations for apigenin, as it is considered a bioactive plant substance and not an essential nutrient. Manufacturers state different amounts. Since apigenin is fat-soluble, intake is often recommended with a meal containing some fat, which can support absorption.

Because apigenin is traditionally connected with evening herbal infusions such as chamomile tea, some users take corresponding preparations rather in the evening. This is a habit from experiential medicine and not a proven recommendation. For everyday life the rule is: orient yourself to the dosage statement of the product and do not exceed the recommended daily amount. With secondary plant substances, more is not automatically better, and very high amounts from extracts are not sufficiently investigated.

What to look for when buying?

The most important statement when buying is the stated apigenin content per capsule or portion. Some products advertise with large extract amounts without naming the pure apigenin proportion, which makes comparison difficult. Reputable providers state origin, plant part used and standardised content transparently.

Additionally, pay attention to a short list of ingredients without unnecessary additives as well as to testing for residues and heavy metals, since plant extracts can be contaminated depending on origin. Combination preparations can be practical, but make comparing the individual amounts more difficult. An independent analysis certificate is a good sign of quality and purity. A light-protected packaging helps to preserve the sensitive plant substance.

It is also sensible to compare the costs per daily dose instead of the pure package price, because products differ greatly in capsule number and apigenin content. Anyone who pays attention to plant-based capsule shells or wants to avoid certain additives will find the necessary information on the list of ingredients. With combination preparations it is worth taking a close look at the ratio in which the individual substances are contained, since some products name apigenin prominently but provide only small amounts of it. Anyone who considers these criteria together can compare different offers fairly.

Safety and tolerability

In the amounts taken in via foods and herbal teas, apigenin is considered harmless. For highly concentrated extracts, less long-term data is available, which is why the manufacturer's statements should not be exceeded. People with allergies to composite plants such as chamomile should be careful with corresponding raw materials and check the declaration precisely.

Like other polyphenols, apigenin can theoretically interact with medicines, for example via breakdown in the liver. If you regularly take medicines, are pregnant, are breastfeeding or have health complaints, speak with your doctor before intake. Food supplements do not replace a balanced diet and no medical treatment.

Apigenin in the context of flavonoids

To classify apigenin correctly, it helps to take a look at the large group of flavonoids to which it belongs. Flavonoids are an extensive class of secondary plant substances that occur in almost all plant foods and are divided into several subgroups, including flavones, flavonols, flavanols and anthocyanins. Apigenin, like luteolin, belongs to the flavones. These compounds contribute to the colour and protective functions of plants.

For nutrition, less the single substance is decisive than the interplay of many flavonoids and further accompanying substances that one takes in via a plant-rich diet. Professional societies therefore emphasise the value of a varied diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, herbs and wholegrain products, instead of highlighting individual substances in isolation. An isolated extract does provide a high amount of a single flavone, but cannot represent the diversity of a natural food matrix. This classification is helpful for assessing the role of apigenin realistically.

Honestly classified

Apigenin is a widely distributed, much-investigated plant substance, but its significance for humans has not yet been conclusively clarified. A large part of the data comes from laboratory and animal experiments that cannot be directly transferred to humans. Authorised health-related statements do not exist in the EU, and highly concentrated extracts are not to be equated with the natural occurrence in herbs. Anyone who eats a varied and herb-rich diet takes in apigenin regularly in small amounts anyway. An extract can sensibly supplement such a diet, but not replace it, because the diversity of nutrients and fibre from whole foods cannot be reproduced by a single substance. Anyone who wants to try out apigenin therefore does this best as a conscious supplement and not as a substitute for fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit in the diet.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is apigenin?

Apigenin is a secondary plant substance from the group of flavones. It is a widely distributed polyphenol that occurs in herbs and vegetables and is not an essential nutrient for humans.

In which foods is apigenin found?

Above all chamomile is known. Further sources are parsley, celery as well as some spices and vegetables. Via a varied diet, one regularly takes in smaller amounts.

How is apigenin taken?

As a food supplement usually as a capsule, often with a fat-containing meal, since apigenin is poorly water-soluble. There are no binding official dosages, stick to the manufacturer's statements.

What should I look for when buying?

Important is the stated pure apigenin content per portion, not just the extract amount. Also pay attention to origin, standardised content, few additives and testing for residues.

Is apigenin safe?

In the amounts from foods and teas, apigenin is considered harmless. For highly dosed extracts there is less data. With a composite-plant allergy, medicine intake, pregnancy, breastfeeding or illnesses, obtain medical advice beforehand.