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What Is Griffonia?

Griffonia, or Griffonia Simplicifolia, is a shrub that grows about three meters tall in Central and West Africa. The seeds of its greenish flowers are used as a herbal supplement that helps produce 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and 5-Hyrdroxy Indole-3-Acetic Acid (5-HIAA). These chemicals aid the human body in building serotonin, act as an antidepressant, relieve insomnia, reduce appetite and alleviate headaches. The bark of the Griffonia has healing and antiseptic properties.

  1. Griffonia, 5-HTP and Health

    • The human body produces 5-HTP on its own from tryptophan, an amino acid found in foods such as beef, chicken, fish and some dairy products. While many herbal supplements cannot pass from the bloodstream to the brain, 5-HTP has small enough molecules to do so successfully. In the brain, 5-HTP converts to serotonin, which aids in healthy sleep patterns and regulates mood.

    Native Uses

    • Native Africans have used this plant for hundreds of years. They use the stem and roots as chewing sticks, the leaves to heal wounds and the leaf juice as an enema and to treat kidney ailments. They also mixed the leaves and stems as an aphrodisiac and to stop vomiting and heal congestion of the pelvis.

    Early Research

    • In the 1960s, scientists derived 5-HTP and 5-HIAA from the Griffonia seeds and researched 5-HTP as an antidepressant. The current drugs in use at that time, based on tricyclic synthetics were found to be less effective. Within 20 years, several drugs containing 5-HTP hit the market. Griffonia became an aid to neurological and psychiatric disorders in patients whose brains did not produce enough neural serotonin.

    Modern Medicines

    • Drugs such as Anxietol and Sugarleve contain Griffonia. Most doctors recommending Griffonia advise to begin with small amounts (generally 50mg three times a day) then increase weekly to identify any possible side effects.

    Side Effects

    • Reported side effects from Griffonia may include decreased sex drive, gas, nausea, drowsiness and/or constipation. People who have combined Griffonia with antidepressants such as Prozac have reported diarrhea, excessive perspiration, increased heart rate, anxiety and confusion.

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