Chrysin
At a glance
- Best for
- No well-established clinical use in humans at this time
- Typical dose
- 500–1,500 mg/day (common supplement range, poorly absorbed)
- Time to effect
- Unknown — no demonstrated clinical effect in humans
- Main caution
- Oral bioavailability is under 1% — aromatase inhibition demonstrated in vitro does not translate to measurable hormone changes in humans
What is it
Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a flavone found in passionflower, propolis, and honey. It is marketed as a natural aromatase inhibitor and testosterone booster, despite weak human evidence.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You are exploring it as a low-risk flavonoid antioxidant without expectation of hormone effects
Probably skip if…
- You are expecting testosterone elevation or estrogen reduction — human trials show no measurable effect
- You have a hormone-sensitive condition (discuss with clinician before any 'aromatase inhibitor')
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| antioxidant activity | Mixed Evidence | Antioxidant effects in cell-based models; not established in human tissue at typical oral doses | Not established for any human population | Unknown in human context |
| testosterone support via aromatase inhibition | Mixed Evidence | No measurable testosterone or estrogen change in controlled human trials | No population for which benefit has been demonstrated | Not established |
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
antioxidant activity
Mechanism onlyChrysin exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in cell culture and animal models. However, oral bioavailability is under 1% due to extensive first-pass glucuronidation, making it unlikely that meaningful concentrations reach target tissues after oral supplementation in humans.
Bottom line: Antioxidant effects are a cell-culture phenomenon with no meaningful human clinical evidence at achievable oral doses.
testosterone support via aromatase inhibition
Mechanism onlyChrysin inhibits aromatase in vitro at high concentrations. In controlled human trials, oral chrysin supplementation (500–1,000 mg/day) has not produced measurable changes in serum testosterone, estradiol, or luteinizing hormone. The low bioavailability of oral chrysin (<1%) is the primary reason in vitro findings do not translate to human hormone effects.
Bottom line: Does not raise testosterone or meaningfully inhibit aromatase in humans at supplement doses — the marketed mechanism does not work orally.
Evidence is mixed
In vitro aromatase inhibition is well documented, but all controlled human trials show no measurable hormonal effect at typical oral doses, consistent with the known near-zero bioavailability.
How it works
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 500–1,500 mg/day if trialing
- Timing
- With meals to reduce GI upset
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- No standard trial period established; effects in humans have not been demonstrated
What to track
- Total testosterone and estradiol if trialing for hormone effects (expect no change based on current evidence)
- Any GI discomfort
2 commercial forms
Standard chrysin
Very low oral bioavailability.Standard capsule form.
Chrysin + piperine
Piperine claimed to improve absorption.Marketing exceeds evidence.
Safety
Common side effects
Mild GI upset
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women (insufficient data, hormonal claims)
- People with hormone-sensitive conditions without clinician guidance
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient safety data; avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Interactions
May inhibit certain CYP enzymes and UGTs at high doses; practical impact at typical doses unclear
Food sources
| Food | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Bee propolis | trace flavone content | — |
| Honey (1 tbsp) | trace chrysin | — |
Choosing a product
Look for
- Chrysin purity and source specified
- Dose per serving clearly stated
Be skeptical of
- 'Natural testosterone booster'
- 'Aromatase inhibitor'
- 'Raises free testosterone'
- 'Lowers estrogen naturally'
Frequently asked questions
Does chrysin boost testosterone?⌄
Human evidence does not support this claim; oral chrysin has very poor absorption.
Is chrysin safe?⌄
Short-term safety appears acceptable, but long-term and hormonal effects are not well studied.
References by claim
Track Chrysin with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.