How to get chrysin from natural sources and supplements

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to scientific studies, the oral bioavailability of chrysin, a flavonoid, is very poor in humans due to rapid metabolism in the gut and liver. However, chrysin intake can be increased by consuming natural sources such as bee propolis and honey or considering advanced supplement formulations.

Quick Summary

Obtain chrysin through natural foods like propolis and honey, or supplements. Improving intake requires overcoming the compound's low bioavailability.

Key Points

Natural Sources: Honey, propolis, and passionflower are rich, natural dietary sources of chrysin, offering antioxidant properties.
Supplements for Higher Doses: Supplements are the most direct way to get concentrated chrysin, but standard formulations suffer from very low absorption.
Bioavailability Challenge: Chrysin has low bioavailability due to poor water solubility and rapid metabolism in the liver and gut, limiting its systemic effects.
Enhanced Absorption: To improve absorption, consider supplements using advanced delivery systems like nanoparticles or include enhancers like piperine.
Unproven Benefits in Humans: Many therapeutic claims for chrysin, particularly boosting testosterone, lack solid evidence from human trials, primarily due to poor absorption.
Safety and Interactions: Always consult a doctor, as chrysin may interact with certain medications like blood thinners and hormones.

Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is an antioxidant found in various plants, honey, and bee propolis. Interest in chrysin has increased due to its reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects, largely derived from laboratory studies. A major challenge in using chrysin is its low oral bioavailability, which means a small amount is absorbed and utilized by the body after ingestion. This guide explores effective methods to get chrysin, including natural sources and supplements, while also addressing absorption.

Natural Food Sources for Chrysin

Chrysin can be obtained by incorporating certain foods and substances into your diet. The concentration varies based on the source and processing.

Honey and Propolis

Honey: Honey contains chrysin, though the amount is variable. Forest honey has higher chrysin content than honeydew honey.
Bee Propolis: Bee propolis is a richer source of chrysin than honey. Propolis products, such as tinctures, capsules, or raw form, can provide a concentrated dose of the flavonoid.

Plant-Based Sources

Passionflower: Species like Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora incarnata contain chrysin and are used in traditional medicine for their calming properties. Passionflower can be consumed as a tea or taken in extract form.
Oyster Mushrooms: These culinary fungi are another natural source of chrysin. Including them in your meals can boost your intake.
Oroxylum Indicum: The bark of this medicinal tree contains chrysin.

Chrysin Supplements: A Direct Approach

Since achieving therapeutic levels of chrysin from food alone is difficult due to low bioavailability, many turn to supplements. The market offers a variety of products.

Standard Chrysin Capsules and Powders

These are the most common forms of supplementation, often sold as standalone products or in testosterone support formulas. However, due to chrysin's poor solubility and rapid metabolism, these supplements face the same bioavailability challenges as dietary intake. Many clinical studies using standard oral formulations have shown largely negative results, especially concerning testosterone effects, which can be attributed to minimal absorption.

Advanced Bioavailability Formulations

Some supplements are formulated using special delivery systems to counteract poor absorption. These technologies aim to protect the chrysin and enhance its uptake in the gut.

Nanoparticles and Nanoemulsions: Encapsulating chrysin in nanoparticles or nanoemulsions improves its solubility and permeability, leading to higher bioaccessibility in laboratory and animal studies. This approach is becoming more common in premium consumer supplements.
Lipid-Based Carriers: Formulating chrysin with fats can improve its absorption, as it is a lipophilic (fat-soluble) compound. Some products combine chrysin with phospholipid complexes to aid passage through cell membranes.

Enhancing Absorption and Efficacy

Strategies can help maximize the effect of chrysin.

Combining with Other Compounds: Some supplements pair chrysin with absorption enhancers like piperine, an extract from black pepper. Piperine can inhibit enzymes that metabolize chrysin, allowing more of the active compound to be absorbed.
Targeted Intestinal Delivery: Chrysin undergoes enterohepatic recycling, with its highest concentration in the lower gastrointestinal tract. This makes it more suitable for treating local intestinal conditions than for achieving high systemic (body-wide) levels. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations for supplementation.

Comparing Methods to Get Chrysin

Here is a comparison of natural food sources versus dietary supplements.


Feature	Natural Food Sources (e.g., Propolis)	Chrysin Supplements (Standard)	Chrysin Supplements (Advanced)
Convenience	Less convenient; requires sourcing and consistent intake.	Very convenient; standardized capsules or powders.	Very convenient; often in capsule or tablet form.
Chrysin Concentration	Varies greatly; typically lower than supplements.	Higher and more consistent dosing.	Highest and most reliable dose delivery.
Oral Bioavailability	Extremely low due to rapid metabolism.	Extremely low; same issues as food sources.	Significantly improved due to targeted delivery methods.
Absorption Enhancement	Minimal inherent enhancers.	Often none unless specified.	Designed with technology or additional compounds to boost absorption.
Cost	Varies depending on source; can be expensive for concentrated forms.	Generally affordable.	Higher cost due to advanced formulation technology.
Key Consideration	Best for those seeking general antioxidant support from food.	May not provide the clinical benefits seen in lab studies due to poor absorption.	Best for those seeking maximum systemic effect, though clinical evidence still developing.

A Note on Efficacy and Clinical Evidence

Many of chrysin's purported health benefits, such as boosting testosterone, have not been reliably demonstrated in human clinical trials, largely due to its low bioavailability. Animal and in vitro studies often use higher concentrations that do not translate well to human results from standard oral supplements. Manage your expectations, especially for effects like increasing muscle strength or testosterone levels. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

Conclusion

While natural foods like honey, propolis, and passionflower provide a source of chrysin, the amount delivered to the bloodstream is very limited due to poor oral bioavailability. Supplements are available for higher concentrations, with advanced delivery systems showing promise for improving absorption. However, most clinical evidence comes from non-human studies, and its efficacy for many applications, including increasing testosterone, remains unproven in humans. Focusing on a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is always best for overall health. A good resource for exploring additional herbal and natural remedies is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health. [https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance]

Frequently Asked Questions

The best natural sources of chrysin are bee products like honey and, more notably, propolis, which contains higher concentrations. Passionflower and certain mushrooms also contain this flavonoid.

Yes, chrysin is present in some common foods and plants, including honey, passionfruit, and certain types of mushrooms. However, the amounts are often too small to produce significant systemic effects.

Chrysin is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract due to its low solubility and rapid metabolism by the liver, resulting in very low oral bioavailability. This means a standard supplement dose may not lead to significant levels of the active compound in the bloodstream.

Yes, absorption can be improved. Advanced supplement formulations like nanoparticles or lipid-based carriers are designed to increase bioavailability. Additionally, some products include piperine to inhibit metabolic enzymes and enhance absorption.

Human clinical research has not reliably shown that oral chrysin supplementation can increase testosterone levels. This is believed to be a result of its poor absorption and low bioavailability.

Chrysin is considered possibly safe for most adults when taken orally for a limited time. However, due to potential interactions with medications for blood thinning and hormone-sensitive conditions, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before use.

Standard chrysin supplements, like simple capsules, offer a measured dose but have very low bioavailability, limiting efficacy. Advanced formulations use technologies like nanoparticles to increase solubility and absorption, leading to higher active concentrations in the body.

Bee propolis is widely available from health food stores, beekeepers, and online retailers. It comes in various forms, such as raw, liquid extract, or capsules.