In Grevena, in the hills of western Macedonia, chamomile is picked in late spring when the white petals have just folded back from the golden centre. For generations it has gone into the evening cup. Today it also gets attention for something older traditions never had a name for: apigenin, the flavonoid that podcasts and supplement shelves now sell on its own. Here is what apigenin is, how much of it is really in chamomile tea, what human studies show, and who should be careful.
Key takeaways
- Does chamomile contain apigenin? Yes. It is one of the richest dietary sources, and almost all of it is bound to sugar as apigenin-7-O-glucoside rather than "free" apigenin.
- How much per cup: published measurements range from roughly 1 mg to about 9 mg of apigenin-7-glucoside per cup. The spread depends on the flowers, how finely they are cut, and how you brew.
- Whole flowers matter: in a 2026 extraction study, hot water pulled about three to four times more apigenin-7-glucoside from whole chamomile heads than from cut flowers.
- What the research shows: apigenin binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors in the lab. Small human trials of chamomile extract suggest modest benefits for sleep quality in older adults, mild generalised anxiety and depression scores, and a pectin–chamomile preparation shortened diarrhoea in children. Animal studies link apigenin to better memory. Trials of apigenin supplements alone for sleep are still missing.
- Who should be careful: anyone allergic to ragweed, daisies or other Asteraceae plants, people taking warfarin, and anyone pregnant.
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What is apigenin?
Apigenin is a flavone, one branch of the large flavonoid family of plant pigments. In food it is usually attached to a sugar molecule, forming a glycoside, which changes how it dissolves in water and how your gut absorbs it.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, also called M. recutita or German chamomile) is one of the most concentrated sources. Its dried flowers are rich in terpenoids and flavonoids, which are thought to explain most of its traditional uses.1
Other foods contain it too. Parsley is the standout: the USDA flavonoid database lists dried parsley at about 4,500 mg of apigenin per 100 g, with a wide range between samples. Fresh parsley has around 215 mg per 100 g, and celery much less, around 19 mg per 100 g of celery hearts.2
Apigenin in chamomile: the form it takes
When researchers break down chamomile's flavonoids, one compound dominates. In a 2009 analysis of Egyptian and Lebanese chamomile, apigenin-7-O-glucoside made up roughly 36–40% of the flavonoids measured of the flower heads, while free apigenin was absent from the disc florets and only a small fraction in the petals.3
The same study made a second point that matters for tea drinkers. In the water extract (essentially a strong tea), apigenin-7-O-glucoside was the main flavonoid and free apigenin was not detected at all. It only appeared in small amounts when methanol was used as the solvent.3 So when people say "the apigenin in chamomile tea", they really mean apigenin-7-glucoside.
How much apigenin is in chamomile tea?
The honest answer is a range, not a single number. Only a few studies measure what ends up in the cup, and they use different flowers, cuts and brewing methods.
| What was measured | Result | Approx. per cup |
|---|---|---|
| Whole chamomile flowers, 3 g in 250 ml water at 80°C for 15 min4 | 3.0 mg apigenin-7-glucoside per g of flowers | ~9 mg |
| Same flowers, cut to 4–10 mm pieces, same brew4 | 0.7–0.85 mg per g | ~2–2.5 mg |
| 11 commercial chamomile tea-bag brands (content of the bag material)5 | 0.43–0.80 mg per g | ~1–1.5 mg in a 2 g bag, before brewing |
Put together, a cup of chamomile tea delivers somewhere between about 1 mg and 9 mg of apigenin-7-glucoside. Because the sugar adds weight, that corresponds to roughly 0.6–5.5 mg of apigenin itself. These figures come from a handful of laboratories, so treat them as a guide rather than a label value.
Three things drive the spread:
- Flower quality and authenticity. Commercial chamomile teas vary a lot. In 13 teas bought in Estonia, essential oil ranged from 0.10% to 0.61% and total flavonols from 0.29% to 1.21%.6 In a Turkish survey, some loose "chamomile" sold in spice shops showed little or no apigenin-7-glucoside and appeared to be mixed with other plants.5
- Whole heads vs cut flowers. In the 2026 study, grinding reduced the apigenin-7-glucoside that hot water extracted, even though it increased other compounds such as chlorogenic acid. The authors suggest the glucoside degrades once the flower structure is broken.4
- Extraction is partial. Tea never pulls out everything. Brewing time, water temperature and a lid all change how much reaches the cup.
The apigenin in chamomile tea is really apigenin-7-glucoside, and how much you get depends more on the flowers and the brew than on any label.
What the research shows
Most of the excitement around apigenin comes from lab and animal work. The human evidence is almost entirely for chamomile preparations, not for apigenin alone. Here is how the evidence stacks up:
- Traditional useChamomile tea has been used for centuries to calm the stomach and wind down in the evening. The EMA recognises it for minor digestive complaints, colds and mouth irritation, but not for sleep.
- Human studiesSmall trials of chamomile extract capsules suggest better self-reported sleep quality in older adults, modest relief in mild generalised anxiety and lower depression scores. A pectin–chamomile preparation shortened acute diarrhoea in children. Results for insomnia are weak.
- Lab and animalApigenin binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors, has calming and antidepressant-like effects in rodents, and improved learning and memory in mouse and rat studies, along with many anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective findings.
Apigenin and GABA-A receptors (lab)
In 1995, researchers isolated apigenin from chamomile and showed that it binds the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors, the same brain receptors targeted by drugs such as diazepam. In mice, low doses reduced anxiety-like behaviour without obvious sedation.7 Later studies have not always agreed on how strongly or in which direction apigenin acts at this site, and brain levels after a cup of tea are unknown. It is a plausible mechanism, not a proven one.
Sleep in older adults
In a 2017 Iranian trial, 60 older adults living in a nursing home took 200 mg chamomile extract capsules twice a day for 28 days, or a control. The chamomile group reported significantly better sleep quality on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.8 It was small and only single-blinded.
A US pilot trial in adults with chronic insomnia (270 mg extract twice daily for 28 days) found no significant difference from placebo in sleep diaries, only small, non-significant trends.9 A 2024 review concluded the clinical evidence is "promising, albeit limited".10 For a wider look at bedtime herbs, see our guide to the best herbs for sleep.
Mild generalised anxiety
At the University of Pennsylvania, 57 adults with mild to moderate generalised anxiety disorder took chamomile extract or placebo for eight weeks. Anxiety scores fell significantly more with chamomile (p = 0.047), which the authors described as a modest effect.11
A larger follow-up gave 179 people 1,500 mg of extract a day for 12 weeks. The 93 who responded were then randomised to continue or switch to placebo for 26 weeks. Relapse was lower with chamomile (15.2% vs 25.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Symptoms stayed lower in the chamomile group.12 These were concentrated capsules, often more than a few cups of tea provide, and chamomile is not a substitute for anxiety treatment.
Mood
The Pennsylvania team also looked at depression scores in their original anxiety trial. Of the 57 participants, 19 had anxiety with current depression, 16 had a past history of depression and 22 had neither. Over eight weeks, chamomile extract produced a significantly greater reduction in total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores than placebo across the whole group (p < 0.05). In the subgroup with current depression, the difference narrowly missed significance (p = 0.062).13
Animal work points to apigenin as one likely contributor. In mice, apigenin (20–40 mg/kg) reversed depression-like behaviour caused by three weeks of corticosterone and restored hippocampal levels of BDNF, a growth factor for nerve cells.14 It also reduced depression-like behaviour and the inflammatory signal IL-1β in mice challenged with a bacterial toxin (LPS),15 and apigenin isolated from perilla had antidepressant-like effects in the forced-swim test in mice.16 In rodents, apigenin also reduced movement in a way consistent with mild sedation, although that study found no anti-anxiety effect.17
Brain and memory (mostly lab and animal studies)
In mice bred to develop Alzheimer's-type amyloid plaques (APP/PS1), 40 mg/kg of apigenin a day for three months rescued learning deficits and improved memory retention, lowered amyloid-beta by about 20%, and restored BDNF–CREB signalling in the cortex.18 In a cell model, apigenin protected neurons from copper-driven amyloid toxicity by preserving mitochondrial function and antioxidant defences.19 In neurons grown from stem cells of people with Alzheimer's disease, it reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide and lowered apoptosis (programmed cell death).20 In kindled mice, it reversed cognitive decline while upregulating CREB–BDNF signalling in the hippocampus, a pathway central to learning and memory.21
Long-term memory stood out in one rat study. A single dose of apigenin before training did not change recall at 24 hours, but it markedly slowed forgetting: untreated rats had lost the learned response by five weeks, while 60% of apigenin-treated rats still kept it at eight weeks.22 Chamomile itself has been tested too. In rats given scopolamine, a drug used to induce temporary amnesia, chamomile extract reversed the memory deficits and lowered oxidative stress in the brain.23
Human data are limited. In a 2010 open-label study, 42 people with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis took a combination supplement of apigenin (100 mg) with ferulic acid, gamma-oryzanol and silymarin twice daily. The authors reported clinical stabilisation, and 9 of the 12 patients with Alzheimer's improved on the Mini-Mental State Examination.24 There was no placebo group, and with four active ingredients it cannot show what apigenin alone does.
Digestion and the gut
Chamomile's oldest use is for the stomach, and the clearest human data come from children, using chamomile alongside other ingredients. A 2017 systematic review in Pediatrics (14 randomised trials, 1,927 children) found promising results for chamomile preparations in diarrhoea and for fennel preparations, including multi-herb blends with chamomile, in infantile colic.25 In one double-blind trial, 79 children aged 6 months to 5.5 years with acute diarrhoea took an apple pectin–chamomile extract preparation or placebo for three days. Diarrhoea had ended in 33 of 39 children (85%) on the chamomile preparation versus 23 of 40 (58%) on placebo.26 Any remedy for babies or young children should be cleared with a paediatrician first.
In lab cultures, apigenin also changed how some gut bacteria grow. It inhibited Enterococcus caccae and Bacteroides galacturonicus when each was grown alone, but did not affect two beneficial strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium catenulatum. In a mixed community of gut bacteria the picture changed, and the Enterococcus genus actually increased.27
What we don't know
- Whether apigenin is the active ingredient. Chamomile also contains bisabolol, chamazulene and other flavonoids.
- How much apigenin reaches the brain after a normal cup of tea.
- Whether isolated apigenin supplements improve sleep. The 2024 review found no clinical trials of apigenin on its own for sleep and called for them.10
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Apigenin supplement vs chamomile tea
Apigenin capsules became popular after being recommended on health podcasts as part of a bedtime "stack". They typically contain tens of milligrams of isolated apigenin, several times more than a cup of tea. But more on the label doesn't automatically mean more in your body.
A 2022 study at UC Davis compared how healthy men absorbed apigenin from different sources. Only about 0.5% of pure apigenin (the aglycone, the form in most supplements) was recovered as metabolites in urine. From chamomile tea, about 34% of the apigenin-7-glucoside was recovered, and blood levels peaked about two hours after drinking. A parsley drink came in between, at 11%.28 Urinary recovery is only one way to judge absorption, and the study was small, but it suggests the glucoside in tea is far from a weak form.
| Chamomile tea | Chamomile extract capsules | Apigenin supplement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main form | Apigenin-7-glucoside | Mixed flavonoids, often standardised to apigenin | Isolated apigenin (aglycone) |
| Typical amount | ~1–9 mg glucoside per cup | Varies by product | Tens of mg per capsule |
| Human sleep/anxiety trials | Few | Several small trials | None published for sleep |
If you are considering an apigenin supplement, especially alongside sedatives or blood thinners, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
How to brew chamomile for more apigenin
Based on the extraction research, a few simple choices help:
- Start with whole flower heads. Heads that are intact and still yellow-centred hold their apigenin-7-glucoside better than tea-bag dust. Our Greek chamomile from Grevena is sold as whole flowers for this reason.
- Use enough: 2–3 g, about 1–2 heaped tablespoons of whole flowers, per 8 oz / 250 ml cup.
- Water just off the boil, around 195–212°F / 90–100°C.
- Cover and steep 10–15 minutes. The study that found the highest yields steeped for 15 minutes. A lid keeps the aromatic oils in the cup.
- Press gently and strain. Squeeze the flowers with a spoon before straining. Drink it 30–60 minutes before bed.
Chamomile also blends well. Our Calm Tea pairs it with lavender and lemon balm, and Chios Mastic Gum Tea combines it with Chios mastic and mahlepi for an after-dinner cup.
Chamomile and apigenin: safety and side effects
Chamomile tea is one of the gentlest herbal teas, but it is not risk-free for everyone.2930
Allergy: chamomile belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae). People allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react, and rare severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. The EMA says not to use it if you are allergic to any Asteraceae plant.
Warfarin and other medicines: interactions with warfarin have been reported. In one published case, a 70-year-old woman on warfarin developed internal bleeding after using chamomile tea and lotion.31 Chamomile may also add to the effect of sedatives. If you take blood thinners, sedatives or several prescription drugs, ask your doctor before drinking it daily or taking extracts.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: little is known about safety in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Avoid concentrated extracts and apigenin supplements, and check with your doctor or midwife before drinking chamomile tea regularly.
Children: the EMA limits most chamomile medicines to those over 12. Ask your paediatrician before giving it as a remedy.
How much: 1–3 cups a day is a typical amount. Stop if you notice itching, rash or wheezing.
Apigenin and chamomile FAQ
How much apigenin is in a cup of chamomile tea?
Published measurements range from about 1 mg to 9 mg of apigenin-7-glucoside per cup, equal to roughly 0.6–5.5 mg of apigenin. Whole flowers brewed covered for 10–15 minutes sit at the high end. Tea bags with finely cut flowers sit at the low end.
Does chamomile contain apigenin?
Yes. Chamomile is one of the richest dietary sources of apigenin. Almost all of it is bound to sugar as apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and that is the form that dissolves into tea.
How much apigenin is in a chamomile tea bag?
An analysis of 11 commercial brands found 0.43–0.80 mg of apigenin-7-glucoside per gram of tea-bag material, or roughly 1–1.5 mg in a typical 2 g bag before brewing. Only part of that reaches the cup.
Is an apigenin supplement better than chamomile tea?
Not necessarily. Supplements contain more apigenin on the label, but in a 2022 study pure apigenin was poorly absorbed, while the apigenin-7-glucoside from chamomile tea was absorbed much better. No published trials have tested apigenin supplements alone for sleep.
What is apigenin?
Apigenin is a flavone, a type of plant flavonoid found in chamomile, parsley, celery and other herbs. In the lab it binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors, which may explain chamomile's calming reputation.
Does the apigenin in chamomile help you sleep?
Possibly, a little. Small trials of chamomile extract found better self-reported sleep quality in older adults, but a trial in people with chronic insomnia found no significant benefit. Chamomile is best seen as a gentle part of a bedtime routine.
Can I drink chamomile tea if I take warfarin?
Check with your doctor first. Interactions between chamomile and warfarin, including a case of serious bleeding, have been reported.
Chamomile's reputation rests on a real compound, apigenin-7-glucoside, and on a small but growing body of human research. The cup you brew matters: whole flowers, enough of them and a covered 10–15 minute steep give you the most from each one.
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Keep reading: Best herbs for sleep · Greek mountain tea benefits · How to cold brew herbal tea
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This article is for general information and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor first.
