Background

Chrysin belongs to a class of chemicals called flavonoids. It occurs naturally in various plants and substances, such as the passion flower and honey.

Chrysin might have effects that reduce pain and inflammation. There's interest in using it for bodybuilding because it might increase the male hormone testosterone. But research in humans hasn't found that it affects testosterone levels.

People use chrysin for athletic performance, cancer, male infertility, muscle strength, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse chrysin with other plant flavonoids such as diosmin, hesperidin, methoxylated flavones, quercetin, or rutin. Also don't confuse it with passion flower, which is a common source of chrysin. These are not the same.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chrysin is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chrysin is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorder: Chrysin might increase bleeding. Using chrysin might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Chrysin might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking chrysin at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of chrysin might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Chrysin might decrease the effects of estrogen in the body. Taking chrysin along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with chrysin, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.

Diclofenac (Voltaren, others)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down diclofenac to get rid of it. Chrysin might decrease how quickly the body breaks down diclofenac. Taking chrysin along with diclofenac might increase the effects and side effects of diclofenac.

Estrogens

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Chrysin seems to decrease the effects of estrogen in the body. Taking chrysin along with estrogen pills might decrease the effectiveness of estrogen pills.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Chrysin might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications changed by the liver (Glucuronidated drugs)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Chrysin might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications for estrogen sensitive cancers (Aromatase inhibitors)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Estrogen-sensitive cancers are cancers that are affected by estrogen levels in the body. Medications for estrogen sensitive cancers help decrease estrogen in the body. Chrysin might also decrease estrogen in the body. Taking chrysin along with medications for estrogen-sensitive cancers might decrease estrogen in the body too much.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Chrysin might slow blood clotting. Taking chrysin along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Mephenytoin (Mesantoin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down mephenytoin to get rid of it. Chrysin might decrease how quickly the body breaks down mephenytoin. Taking chrysin along with mephenytoin might increase the effects and side effects of mephenytoin.

Testosterone

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

The body breaks down testosterone to get rid of it. Chrysin might decrease how quickly the body breaks down testosterone. Taking chrysin along with testosterone might increase the effects and side effects of testosterone.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Androstenedione: Chrysin might increase androstenedione levels and its conversion to the male hormone called testosterone. This might increase the effects and side effects of androstenedione. But research in humans shows that chrysin has no effect on androstenedione and does not increase testosterone levels.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Chrysin might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.