Apigenin,
does it really help with Sleep quality and tension relief?
research showsNo human efficacy trial was identified that administered isolated apigenin orally as a supplement to test sleep quality or tension relief. Results from chamomile extracts or chamomile tea concern multiconstituent products and cannot be attributed to isolated apigenin; the grade remains ?.
ads claimMarketed products present isolated apigenin at 25-50 mg as a 'sleep aid' or 'tension relief' ingredient. Human studies generally evaluated chamomile extract and do not directly support efficacy of isolated apigenin capsules at those doses.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- Chamomile extract contains multiple flavonoids and volatile-oil constituents in addition to apigenin.
- Analytical testing found about 3.9 mg of apigenin in each 90 mg of chamomile extract used in the insomnia RCT.
- Long-term human safety and interaction data for isolated apigenin supplements are limited.
What the research actually shows
Zick 2011 gave 34 patients with chronic primary insomnia 270 mg of apigenin-containing chamomile extract twice daily for 28 days, but found no difference from placebo in the main sleep-diary measures, including total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, awakenings, and sleep quality. The Amsterdam 2009 chamomile-extract RCT reported a signal for reduced HAM-A scores in mild-to-moderate generalized anxiety disorder, but this was an effect of the whole extract. A 2024 review of apigenin and sleep likewise concluded that human clinical data are limited to apigenin-containing chamomile studies and cannot distinguish apigenin's individual contribution.
Why this is classified as ?
Relevant mechanistic and animal data and human chamomile trials exist, but no efficacy trial of isolated apigenin addresses the stated effects. To avoid ingredient extrapolation, the rating is ? and the score is null.
Counterpoint. Anxiety signals from whole chamomile extract remain hypothesis-forming evidence. This assessment is limited to claims for isolated apigenin supplements, not chamomile.
Rejudgment record. Reassessment (cross-check reflected) — No human efficacy trial has tested isolated apigenin alone, and results from chamomile extracts or tea concern multiconstituent products and cannot be attributed to isolated apigenin; the grade remains ?
Cross-check — Codex and Claude
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zick SM et al. 2011 | Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial | 34 | Supported by the U.S. NCCAM | Total sleep time, efficiency, latency, awakenings, and sleep quality | Apigenin-containing chamomile extract did not differ significantly from placebo on any primary sleep-diary endpoint. | Key |
| Amsterdam JD et al. 2009 | Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial | 57 | Supported by the U.S. NIH | HAM-A anxiety symptoms | Chamomile extract showed an anxiety-reduction signal, but this was a multi-constituent extract result and not an effect of apigenin alone. | Limited extrapolation |
| Kramer DJ, Johnson AA. 2024 | Narrative review | Supported by Tally Health with affiliated authors | Evidence related to sleep and aging | Concluded that human sleep data are limited to chamomile studies and cannot establish the contribution of apigenin alone. | Supportive |
Receipt — 3 References
All 3 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-13).
Reviewed and approved: Chamgap Editorial Team · Approval date: 2026-07-13 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Apigenin x sleep quality and tension relief — Evidence Grade ?. 3 cited sources checked. Source: https://health-receipt.pages.dev/en/verdicts/sleep/apigenin-sleep-tension/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
What this document does and does not do
Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.