The best apigenin supplement for most people in the UK is Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin Sleep Optimiser (£19.99), because it is a dedicated, clean-label apigenin product built for evening use rather than a padded sleep blend. If you want the cheapest way to try apigenin, Swanson Apigenin 50 mg (£18.73 for 90 capsules) is the standard beginner dose. For daily long-term use, Double Wood Apigenin gives 120 capsules per tub. And if you would rather take the whole plant than an isolated compound, Swanson Chamomile Extract 500 mg (£11.75) is the gentlest starting point.
Apigenin is a plant flavonoid found in chamomile, parsley, celery, oregano and thyme. It became one of the most-searched sleep supplements in the UK after appearing in popular evening supplement stacks, and it is usually taken 30–60 minutes before bed for relaxation rather than sedation. This guide compares the apigenin supplements actually available in the UK, sets out what the human evidence does and does not show, and explains who should avoid it. Browse the full apigenin supplements range, or explore related sleep & relaxation supplements, stress relief & calming supplements, magnesium supplements, L-theanine supplements and liposomal apigenin.
Prices checked at the time of writing and subject to change. Always check the live product page.
| Product | Apigenin per capsule | Capsules per tub | Price | Approx. cost per capsule | Source | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin Sleep Optimiser | Standardised — see product page | See product page | £19.99 | — | Isolated flavone, clean label | Anyone wanting one focused evening product | Single-ingredient, not a full sleep stack |
| Swanson Apigenin 50 mg | 50 mg | 90 | £18.73 | ~£0.21 | Isolated flavone | First-time users testing the standard dose | Basic formulation, no absorption enhancers |
| Double Wood Supplements Apigenin | 50 mg | 120 | £28.51 | ~£0.24 | Isolated flavone | Consistent nightly use and stacking | Higher upfront cost per tub |
| Swanson Chamomile Extract 500 mg | Not standardised for apigenin | 60 | £11.75 | ~£0.20 | Whole chamomile flower extract | People who prefer botanicals to isolates | Apigenin content unknown and much lower |
| Why it is our top pick | It is a dedicated apigenin product rather than a diluted multi-herb sleep blend, so you know exactly what you are taking and can adjust it independently of everything else in your routine. |
| What it is | A clean-label apigenin capsule designed for evening use, sitting in the Welzo Ultra Purity range alongside Magnesium L-Threonate 2000 mg. |
| Customer feedback | 86 reviews on the product page at the time of writing, with users most often mentioning easier wind-down and falling asleep faster. |
| Price | £19.99 |
| Where to buy | Buy Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin Sleep Optimiser |
| Pros | Single-ingredient clarity; UK stock and same-day dispatch before 2pm; third-party tested; stacks cleanly with magnesium or L-theanine |
| Cons | Not a multi-ingredient sleep formula, so it will not replace a full stack if that is what you want |
| How to use | One capsule 30–60 minutes before bed. Start on a night when you do not need to be alert early the next morning. |
| Editor's verdict | The most sensible default if you specifically searched for apigenin rather than "a sleep supplement". You get the compound you came for, at a transparent dose. |
| Why it made the list | 50 mg is the dose almost every discussion of apigenin refers to, and this is the cheapest reliable way to find out whether that dose does anything for you. |
| What it is | A plain 50 mg apigenin capsule from Swanson, an established US supplement brand with wide UK distribution. |
| Customer feedback | 68 reviews, consistently describing it as a no-frills product that does what the label says. |
| Price | £18.73 for 90 capsules (roughly three months at one per night) |
| Where to buy | Buy Swanson Apigenin 50 mg, 90 capsules |
| Pros | Recognised brand; exact stated dose; low cost per capsule; easy to halve the dose by alternating nights |
| Cons | No absorption technology; capsule shell may not suit strict vegans — check the label |
| How to use | One capsule in the evening, ideally with a small amount of fat-containing food, since flavones absorb better with fat. |
| Editor's verdict | The right first purchase. Run it for two to three weeks before deciding whether apigenin is worth a place in your routine. |
| Why it made the list | 120 capsules per tub means fewer reorders and a steadier routine — the single biggest predictor of whether any evening supplement actually helps. |
| What it is | A minimalist 50 mg apigenin capsule commonly stacked with magnesium or NAD+ precursors in longevity routines. See our supplement timing chart for how to sequence an evening stack. |
| Customer feedback | 64 reviews, with repeat buyers noting the value of the larger tub. |
| Price | £28.51 for 120 capsules |
| Where to buy | Buy Double Wood Supplements Apigenin |
| Pros | Four months' supply at one per night; third-party tested; clean excipient list; stacks well |
| Cons | Highest upfront price of the four; still a standard 50 mg dose rather than high potency |
| How to use | One capsule nightly before bed. If you are also taking magnesium, take both together roughly an hour before sleep. |
| Editor's verdict | Buy this one after you have confirmed apigenin suits you, not before. |
| Why it made the list | Every human trial that people cite for apigenin and sleep actually used chamomile extract. If you want the version with the most direct human data behind it, this is it. |
| What it is | A whole-flower chamomile (Matricaria recutita) extract containing apigenin alongside other flavonoids and volatile oils. Browse more in chamomile supplements. |
| Customer feedback | 88 reviews — the most-reviewed product in this roundup — generally describing a mild, gentle calming effect. |
| Price | £11.75 for 60 capsules |
| Where to buy | Buy Swanson Chamomile Extract 500 mg |
| Pros | Cheapest option; whole-plant profile; long history of traditional use; well tolerated |
| Cons | Apigenin content is not standardised, so you cannot know your dose; effects are milder; avoid if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds or chrysanthemums |
| How to use | One to two capsules in the evening. The insomnia trial protocol used 270 mg of standardised extract twice daily for four weeks. |
| Editor's verdict | The most evidence-anchored and least expensive way in — and the honest answer for anyone who prefers botanicals to isolates. |
Apigenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a naturally occurring flavone — a subclass of flavonoid — found in chamomile flowers, parsley, celery, celeriac, oregano and thyme. In supplement form it is usually sold as an isolated 50 mg capsule and taken in the evening to support relaxation. It is not a vitamin, not a mineral and not a hormone, and it carries no authorised health claim in Great Britain, which is why product labels describe it in general wellbeing terms rather than as a treatment.
Three mechanisms come up repeatedly in the research literature. All three are worth understanding, because each one is at a different stage of evidence.
GABA is the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter — the "volume down" signal. A well-cited 1995 study identified apigenin as a ligand for central benzodiazepine receptors, producing a calming effect in mice without the sedation or muscle relaxation seen with prescription benzodiazepines. This is the mechanism most often quoted on supplement pages. It is preclinical: it explains why apigenin might help, not that it does in humans.
CD38 is an enzyme that consumes NAD+, the coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism. Apigenin inhibits CD38 in cell and animal models, which is why it has been adopted by the longevity community and often appears next to NMN supplements and other longevity supplements. This effect has not been demonstrated to change any health outcome in humans.
Like other flavonoids, apigenin scavenges free radicals and modulates inflammatory signalling in laboratory systems. This is the least specific of the three claims — it is broadly true of the whole flavonoid family, including quercetin, and it is not a reason on its own to take a supplement. Related products sit in the antioxidants and quercetin ranges.
This is the section most apigenin pages leave out. Here is the state of play as we read it.
| Claim | What was studied | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Apigenin capsules improve sleep | No randomised controlled trial has tested isolated apigenin capsules for sleep in humans. The popular 50 mg dose was extrapolated from preclinical work and podcast discussion, not established in a clinical trial. | Not established |
| Chamomile extract improves insomnia | Zick et al., 2011 (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot in 34 adults with DSM-IV primary insomnia, given 270 mg chamomile extract twice daily for 28 days. There were no statistically significant differences in sleep diary measures versus placebo. Modest, non-significant advantages appeared for daytime functioning, with moderate effect sizes for sleep latency and night-time awakenings. | Weak / mixed |
| Chamomile extract reduces generalised anxiety symptoms | Amsterdam et al., 2009 (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of chamomile extract in adults with mild-to-moderate generalised anxiety disorder, reporting a significant reduction in anxiety rating scores over eight weeks. | Moderate, for chamomile — not for isolated apigenin |
| Apigenin calms via GABA-A receptors | Viola et al., 1995 and subsequent receptor-binding work, conducted in vitro and in rodents. | Preclinical only |
| Apigenin supports healthy ageing via NAD+ | CD38 inhibition demonstrated in cell and mouse models. No human healthspan or biomarker trials of apigenin. | Preclinical only |
The fair conclusion: apigenin is a plausible, low-risk, plant-derived option for evening wind-down, with a real mechanistic rationale and a genuinely thin human evidence base. Anyone telling you it is clinically proven for insomnia is overstating the case. If you want a sleep supplement with direct placebo-controlled human trial data behind it, magnesium is the better first choice — we compare the two in detail in apigenin vs magnesium for sleep.
| User | Typical daily dose | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time user | 25–50 mg | 30–60 min before bed | Trial it on a night with no early commitments |
| Regular user | 50 mg | 30–60 min before bed | The market-standard dose; most capsules are sized for this |
| Experienced user | 50–100 mg | 30–60 min before bed | Increase only if 50 mg does nothing after 2–3 weeks |
| Above 100 mg | Not recommended | — | No human evidence of added benefit; higher grogginess risk |
| Chamomile extract | 270–500 mg extract, once or twice daily | Evening (or daytime for mild stress) | Apigenin content varies by product and is rarely standardised |
Take it with food containing some fat. Apigenin is poorly water-soluble and has limited oral bioavailability, so a completely empty stomach is not ideal. Give any new dose two to three weeks before judging it, and change one variable at a time.
The most common format and the easiest to dose accurately. All four products in this guide are capsules.
Usually cheaper, sometimes with binders and coatings that some people prefer to avoid. Less common for apigenin specifically.
Uses phospholipid encapsulation to improve uptake of a compound that is otherwise poorly absorbed. This is the format with the strongest theoretical case, though comparative human absorption data for apigenin specifically is limited. See the liposomal apigenin range.
Flexible but requires an accurate 0.001 g scale — kitchen scales are not precise enough at 50 mg. Best left to experienced users.
Pleasant, calming as a ritual, and a genuinely useful part of a wind-down routine — but a cup delivers only a few milligrams of apigenin, mostly bound as apigenin-7-glucoside. Treat it as a habit, not a dose.
| Supplement | What it is | Best suited to | Human evidence for sleep | UK availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apigenin | Plant flavone | A racing mind at bedtime | Indirect, via chamomile extract; mixed | Food supplement |
| Melatonin | Hormone | Body-clock problems: jet lag, shift work, delayed sleep phase | Strongest of this group for circadian issues | Prescription-only medicine in the UK |
| Magnesium | Essential mineral | Sleep quality generally, especially if dietary intake is low | Direct placebo-controlled trial data; effect size modest | Food supplement |
| L-theanine | Amino acid from tea | Calm without drowsiness; daytime or evening | Reasonable data for relaxation and stress | Food supplement |
| Ashwagandha | Adaptogenic herb | Chronic stress load and elevated cortisol | Several trials for stress; sleep data secondary | Food supplement |
These are not mutually exclusive. Apigenin with magnesium, or apigenin with L-theanine, are the two most common evening pairings. Start with one, add the second only after two to three weeks, and keep total sedative load in mind. For broader options see supplements for anxiety, valerian root and nootropics.
| Food | Relative apigenin content | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Dried parsley | Highest of any common food by weight | You would need an implausible quantity to reach 50 mg |
| Chamomile flowers / tea | Moderate in the flower, low in the brewed cup | A few mg per cup, mostly as glycosides |
| Fresh parsley | High | Water content dilutes it considerably versus dried |
| Celery and celeriac | Moderate | Leaves contain more than the stalks |
| Oregano, thyme | Moderate (dried) | Used in culinary quantities, so contribution is small |
A varied diet rich in herbs and vegetables provides apigenin alongside hundreds of other flavonoids, and that is worth having in its own right. It will not, however, deliver anything close to a supplemental dose — which is the honest reason concentrated capsules exist.
Apigenin is generally well tolerated by healthy adults at typical supplement doses. The following are the considerations worth knowing before you start.
| Issue | What to know | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Drowsiness / next-day grogginess | The most commonly reported effect, more likely at higher doses | Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you; try the first dose on a free evening |
| Digestive discomfort | Occasional mild nausea or stomach upset | Take with food |
| Sedative medicines | Additive drowsiness with benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, sedating antihistamines, opioids and alcohol | Speak to your GP or pharmacist before combining |
| Blood thinners | Laboratory work suggests flavonoids including apigenin can inhibit several cytochrome P450 enzymes, the theoretical basis for interaction with warfarin and other narrow-therapeutic-index medicines. Human data are lacking. | Do not start without medical advice if you take anticoagulants |
| Hormone-sensitive conditions | Apigenin inhibits aromatase — the enzyme that converts androgens to oestrogen — in laboratory studies. This has not been quantified in humans at supplement doses, but it is a real reason for caution and is the basis of the widely repeated advice that women should be cautious with apigenin. | Avoid if you have a hormone-sensitive condition or are on hormone therapy, unless a clinician advises otherwise |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No safety data | Avoid |
| Chamomile allergy | Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family | Avoid chamomile products if allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds or chrysanthemums |
| Surgery | Sedative and potential bleeding-related effects | Stop at least two weeks before planned surgery and tell your surgical team |
Apigenin is not a treatment for insomnia, anxiety or depression, and should not replace medical care. If poor sleep has lasted more than four weeks or is affecting your daily functioning, see your GP. NICE guidance places sleep hygiene advice and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) ahead of medication, and the NHS provides free self-help resources for both.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "Apigenin is a natural alternative to melatonin." | They do different jobs. Melatonin shifts your body clock; apigenin does not. Swapping one for the other will not help a circadian problem. |
| "Chamomile tea gives you the same thing as a capsule." | A cup contains a few milligrams at most, versus 50 mg in a capsule. |
| "It's clinically proven for sleep." | No RCT has tested isolated apigenin capsules for sleep in humans. |
| "Natural means safe for everyone." | The aromatase and sedative-interaction cautions are real, and apply regardless of the source. |
| "More is better." | Above 100 mg you are more likely to get grogginess than better sleep. |
| "It stops working, so you need to cycle it." | There is no evidence of tolerance developing to apigenin. If it stops helping, the more likely explanation is that something else about your sleep changed. |
We ranked products against a fixed set of criteria rather than by popularity, and we applied the same criteria to every product.
Welzo is a UK healthcare platform; all partner labs hold UKAS and ISO accreditations and all partner pharmacies are registered with the GPhC. This article was written by our editorial team and reviewed by Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Afzal. You can read about our editorial and evidence standards, our ingredient quality and purity certifications, and our medical disclaimer.
Apigenin is sold in the UK as a food supplement and does not require a prescription. Buy from a retailer that publishes the apigenin content per capsule, holds UK stock, and lets you see real customer reviews. You can buy Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin directly, or browse the wider apigenin supplements and liposomal apigenin collections. If you are building a full evening routine, the sleep & relaxation supplements and stress relief & calming supplements categories are the natural next stop.
Apigenin is a plant flavone found in chamomile, parsley, celery, oregano and thyme, sold as a supplement in 50 mg capsules and usually taken in the evening for relaxation.
Most commonly for evening wind-down and sleep onset, general stress balance, antioxidant support and as part of longevity-focused routines.
Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin Sleep Optimiser is our overall pick: a single-ingredient, third-party tested, UK-stocked apigenin capsule at £19.99.
The mechanism is plausible and many users report benefit, but no randomised controlled trial has tested isolated apigenin capsules for sleep in humans. The available human data come from chamomile extract and are mixed.
50 mg taken 30–60 minutes before bed is the standard dose. Start at 25–50 mg and do not exceed 100 mg without a clinical reason.
Some people notice an effect on the first or second night. Give it two to three weeks of consistent use before deciding.
No. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body clock and is prescription-only in the UK. Apigenin is a plant flavone that does not affect circadian timing.
Yes — it is the most common evening pairing. Take both around an hour before bed and start with conservative doses. See apigenin vs magnesium for sleep.
Yes, many people do, but all three have calming effects, so introduce them one at a time and watch for excess drowsiness.
Apigenin inhibits aromatase in laboratory studies, and this is the basis of widely repeated advice that women should be cautious with it. The effect has not been quantified in humans at supplement doses. If you have a hormone-sensitive condition, are on hormone therapy or are trying to conceive, ask your GP first.
Many people do, at 50 mg or less. There is no evidence that tolerance develops, and no evidence establishing long-term safety at higher doses either.
Liposomal delivery is designed to improve absorption of a compound with known bioavailability limitations, so the rationale is sound. Comparative human absorption data for apigenin specifically is limited, and standard capsules work for most people.
No. A cup provides a few milligrams at most, versus 50 mg in a capsule. Tea is a useful ritual, not a dose.
Chamomile extract has trial evidence for mild-to-moderate generalised anxiety symptoms. Isolated apigenin does not. Neither replaces treatment for a diagnosed anxiety disorder — speak to your GP.
Mild drowsiness, light-headedness and digestive discomfort are the most commonly reported. See the full safety table above.
Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition or on hormone therapy, anyone taking sedatives or anticoagulants, anyone allergic to the daisy family (for chamomile products), and anyone due surgery within two weeks.
Moderate doses appear well tolerated, but there are no long-term human safety studies. Stay at or below 50 mg for routine daily use.
Yes — it is sold as a food supplement, regulated as a food rather than a medicine, and available without prescription. It carries no authorised health claim in Great Britain.
You can buy Welzo Ultra Purity Apigenin and browse the full apigenin supplements range from Welzo, with UK stock and same-day dispatch on orders before 2pm.
Last reviewed: August 2026. This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement, particularly if you take prescription medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a diagnosed health condition.
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