With the pursuit of excellent health comes the need for understanding the principles behind common health issues. If you’ve done your research, you know that gut health is imperative to the health of the rest of your body. But what actions can you take to help your body operate at its best? For starters, you can zero in on one of the biggest contributors to common health concerns: inflammation. In fact, inflammation can claim all of the following symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue or insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Weight gain
• Frequent infections
• Digestive issues
• General aches & pains

Inflammation is a tricky function that operates as part of your immune system. On the one hand, your body uses the natural inflammation of your immune defenses to heal from injuries and illnesses. On the other hand, too much inflammation can lead to serious health concerns such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, digestive issues, cancer, and many other health issues. 

Acute inflammation is a good and normal response that your body needs to protect and heal you. However, chronic inflammation (even low-grade) will take a toll on your body that is hard to bounce back from. What’s worse is that chronic inflammation is, in a sense, invisible as it doesn’t provide obvious signs like acute inflammation does. Lucky for us humans, research is uncovering more and more information about different ways naturally occurring substances in plants can help heal our bodies from the damage resulting from inflammation, as well as help protect us from developing chronic inflammation.

One plant compound in particular is gaining traction in the anti-inflammatory discussion: apigenin.

What is Apigenin?

Apigenin is part of the largest group of polyphenols (plant micronutrients) known as the flavonoids. These naturally-occurring, bioactive compounds act as street sweepers for free-radicals. This produces anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects within your body. Flavonoids also reduce bad cholesterol, blood clots, and even the risk of cancer. All of these concerns trace back to too much inflammation.

Therapeutic Effects of Apigenin

Flavonoids have a reputation for antioxidant properties with many studies reporting apigenin in particular having the ability to diminish oxidative stress, stimulate the immune system, and improve the power of certain detoxification enzymes found all over your body. 

Apigenin’s properties as an antioxidant are well known, and it can also be a therapeutic in overcoming inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease, and even several types of cancers.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The largest impact that apigenin has on your health is that it promotes different anti-inflammatory pathways. Being part of the flavonoid family, apigenin defends your body from oxidative stress by scavenging for free radicals in your bloodstream. It also promotes the production of antioxidant enzymes that fight against oxidative stress at the cellular level. 

Protection Against Diabetes 

Studies show that apigenin can encourage the secretion of insulin which helps keep blood sugar levels in balance. This is the same property that enables apigenin not only with preventing diabetes but also protecting against the harm that diabetes can cause to your body. In addition to helping to balance blood sugar, apigenin can contribute to the regulation of thyroid dysfunction, and protect against cell damage in general.

Heart & Liver Health

One study suggested that apigenin increases the activity of two particular antioxidants that help protect your liver from stress, earning it a role as a hepatoprotectant (liver protector). What’s more, apigenin demonstrated the ability to lower cholesterol levels.

Brain Health & Sleep Hygiene

New research is uncovering the potential neuroprotective capabilities of agpigen, meaning it could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease or even slow down the progression. Chamomile being just one rich source of apigenin demonstrated the ability to repair memory loss, although there is a need for more testing. 

With the capability of filtering into your bloodstream, apigenin is able to reach your brain through the circulatory system, allowing its anti-inflammatory activity to act as an antidepressant-like quality. This is directly related to research into the ability of apigenin to reduce the symptoms of insomnia and chronic fatigue. 

Common Food Sources of Apigenin

Apigenin is one of the most abundant flavonoid among edible plants. There is a wide variety of common foods and herbs that you can incorporate into your daily diet to ensure you’re reaping the benefits of this potent antioxidant. Some well known sources include:

• Oranges
• Chamomile
• Thyme
• Basil
• Artichokes
• Onions 

OWL Broth Elixirs - Herbs to Battle Inflammation

Every ingredient found in OWL products is thoughtfully chosen with your best health in mind. Did you know that OWL Broth Elixirs contain four ingredients known to contain high amounts of apigenin? Each batch of bone broth made my OWL comes infused with:

• Rosemary 
• Parsely 
• Oregano
• Celery

Just the scent of rosemary can reduce your body’s production of cortisol and therefore help you maintain your stress levels. Naturally this helps with better sleep, lower inflammation throughout your body, and general improved wellness. Rosemary has a huge influence on brain health as well, including the improvement of cognitive function and mood disorders. This is largely due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Parsley has long held a place in ancient medicine for treating skin conditions caused by inflammation, among other uses. Parsley also has a reputation for supporting heart health and is a common treatment for heart disease and hypertension. Oregano is a well-known antioxidant and antibacterial herb that also holds potential for anticancer properties. Celery, in addition to aiding in gut health, is also gaining attention for its defensive activity with free radicals that cause oxidative stress. 

All Roads Lead to Nutrition

You know your body best. You can feel when you’re out of balance. All health issues can be traced back to how you fuel your body. What are you introducing into your microbiome on a daily basis? Are there one or more facets that could benefit from a more mindful approach to nutrition?

Lucky for you OWL Health Coaches can answer these questions in addition to guiding you toward a more complete understanding of how your body uniquely responds to different factors. From Nutrition Psychology Counseling to Holistic Health Coaching, OWL has it all. Book a free fifteen minute consultation to find out which pathway best fits you and your lifestyle. We look forward to walking with you as you embark on your transformative health journey.

Julie Weller

Julie is a self-made writer on a forever journey of fitness and health. As a high school music teacher, she has seen and experienced the challenges of maintaining good health while simultaneously balancing a career and healthy relationships.

Julie has always lived a healthy and active lifestyle. She loves the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Over the years she has continued to learn smarter and better ways to take care of her body while continuing to do the things that make her smile. Naturally, all of her teacher friends wanted to know how she did it - what was her secret?

Julie found herself explaining over and over everything she'd learned in her research, and sharing her experiences through trial and error. Her friends would take her advice, try some new things, and then come back to ask how to take it to the next level.

"You should charge for this kind of information!" Became a constant phrase, and so began her career of writing to share her knowledge with the world through health and wellness companies looking to spread healing and healthy habits within their communities. Now Julie gets to combine two of the things she enjoys most - writing and wellness - and use them to affect change in a real way.

When not making music with her kiddos, or writing wellness tips for a higher quality of life, you can find her reading, hiking, drumming, and fitnessing