Chamomile / Apigenin

Galaxyshock

[font=sans-serif]Major chemical compounds present within chamomile include apigenin and alpha-bisabolol.[sup][2][/sup][sup][11][/sup] Other compounds in chamomile include: sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, flavonoids,coumarins such as herniarin and umbelliferone, phenylpropanoids such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, flavones such as apigenin and luteolin, flavanols such as quercetin andrutin, and polyacetylenes.[sup][2][/sup][sup][12][/sup][/font]

[font=sans-serif]Apigenin has demonstrated chemopreventive effects against cancer cells in the laboratory,[sup][13][/sup] while alpha-bisabolol has been shown to have antiseptic properties, anti-inflammatoryproperties, and reduces pepsin secretion without altering secretion of stomach acid.[sup][12][/sup] Chemical compounds present within chamomile bind to GABA receptors, modulatemonoamine neurotransmission, and have neuroendocrine effects.[sup][11][/sup] Umbelliferone is fungistatic.[sup][12][/sup] Coumarin compounds in chamomile such as herniarin and umbelliferone may have blood-thinning properties, and apigenin and other compounds may interact with medications causing drug-drug interactions.[sup][6][/sup][/font]

[font=sans-serif]Chamomile has been used for inflammation associated with hemorrhoids when topically applied.[sup][12][/sup] There is Level B evidence that chamomile possesses anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties and could be used to treat stress and insomnia.[sup][11][/sup] In 2009, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania concluded the first controlled clinical trial of chamomile extract for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The results suggest chamomile may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate GAD, although the results have not since been replicated.[sup][14][/sup] Chemical components of chamomile extract have demonstrated anti-inflammatory,[sup][2][/sup][sup][4][/sup] antihyperglycemic,[sup][2][/sup] antigenotoxic,[sup][15][/sup] and anticancer properties[sup][2][/sup]when examined in vitro and in animal studies.[sup][16][/sup][/font]

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamomile

[font=sans-serif]Apigenin acts as a monoamine transporter activator, one of the few chemicals demonstrated to possess this property.[sup][7][/sup] Apigenin is aligand for central benzodiazepine receptors that competitively inhibited the binding of flunitrazepam with a K[sub]i[/sub] of 4μM, exerting anxiolyticand slight sedative effects.[sup][8][/sup] Apigenin shows second-order positive modulatory activity at GABA[sub]A[/sub] receptors.[sup][9][/sup] It has also effects on adenosine receptors[sup][10][/sup] and NMDA receptors.[sup][11][/sup][/font]

[font=sans-serif]In vitro studies have shown that apigenin may be toxic to red blood cells.[sup][12][/sup][/font]

[font=sans-serif]Apigenin may also stimulate adult neurogenesis, with at least one study claiming that apigenin "stimulate adult neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro, by promoting neuronal differentiation" and may be useful "for stimulating adult neurogenesis and for the treatment of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries, by stimulating the generation of neuronal cells in the adult brain." While potentially promising, the study used rats and its effects have yet to be demonstrated in humans.[sup][13][/sup][/font]

[font=sans-serif][sup][/sup][/font]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apigenin

I sometimes drink very strong chamomile tea (like 10 teabags in a big mug) to get very relaxed. It gets the job done, I feel calm but not drowsy, and a bit blunted - not something recreational. Looks like apigenin and other compounds in chamomile have some nice benefits like increased neurogenesis.

I wonder if there's concern of toxicity or issues with using high amounts though?

Neuro

I've used Chamomile tea in the past, but it wasn't very noticable. It made me a little bit drowsy. I drank it before bed thinking it was going to improve my sleep, but I'm not sure if it had any effect.

Wow, 10 teabags. Heh, I only used one.

Well according to Wikipedia it may be toxic to red blood cells, but I'm not sure if that's much of a concern as your body is continously making new ones.

Other than that it looks promising. Have you ever used it in the longterm?

Galaxyshock

I sometimes drink it every evening for like a week and then stop when I get bored to the taste and preparation. In my experience Chamomile is a very nice general-purpose anxiolytic and easy to get from the store. 2-3 teabags is minimum to feel slight calming effect, I drink those huge amounts when I have trouble sleeping or when I'm overly stressed out. Sometimes I've used it before going to school to do a presentation or something, it doesn't impair cognition.

I haven't noticed particularly nootropic effects or so, if they are there it must be very subtle. But the stress-blocking quality and state of calm thinking can be beneficial I'm sure.