Overview

Griffonia simplicifolia is a type of plant found in western parts of Africa. The seeds are used as a medicine because they contain a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are commonly used by mouth for depression, anxiety, weight loss, headaches, and insomnia. But there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Plant

Primary Functions:

Depression, anxiety, weight loss

Also Known As:

Bandeiraea simplicifolia, Schotia simplicifolia

How Does It Work?

Griffonia simplicifolia contains the chemical 5-HTP. This chemical works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, pain, and mood. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin, Griffonia simplicifolia is used for some diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role. These include depression, insomnia, obesity, and other conditions.

Uses

• Stress. Some early research shows that taking Griffonia simplicifolia extract can reduce stress in some people.
• Motion sickness.
• Obesity.
• Insomnia.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Headaches.
• Stomach issues.
• Wound healing.
• Other conditions.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of Griffonia simplicifolia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Griffonia simplicifolia. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Griffonia Simplicifolia Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is griffonia Simplicifolia used for?

It is also produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia 5-HTP is used for sleep disorders such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, migraine and tension-type headaches, fibromyalgia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), attention deficit .

Is 5 HTP safe to take everyday?

When taken by mouth: 5-HTP is POSSIBLY SAFE when taking by mouth appropriately. It has been used safely in doses up to 400 mg daily for up to one year. But some people who have taken 5-HTP have developed a condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS).

What is griffonia Simplicifolia seed extract?

Griffonia simplicifolia is a plant native to west and central Africa. It is a natural source of 5HTP. In the human diet, we manufacture 5-HTP from dietary tryptophan. Having a direct natural source of 5-HTP instead of tryptophan is ideal because it removes multiple biological steps and is easily converted to serotonin.

What does 5 HTP do for your body?

Your body converts 5-HTP into serotonin, a substance that regulates appetite, pain sensations and sleep. ... Higher serotonin levels may provide many benefits, such as promoting weight loss, improving the symptoms of depression and fibromyalgia, decreasing the frequency of migraine attacks and helping you sleep better.

Is it better to take 5 HTP in the morning or at night?

To see how 5-HTP affects you, we suggest you take your first dose after dinner. If you feel sleepy, take 5-HTP at night. Otherwise you can take it during the day; it will still help sleep at night by converting to melatonin.

Should I take 5 HTP in the morning or at night?

If you prefer to take just one dose (or else can't remember to have to take a supplement 2-3 times per day), it is recommended to take 5-HTP before bed as it potentially will make you drowsy. It is also usually recommended that you take 5-HTP with food, although this can vary from supplement to supplement.

Who should not take 5 HTP?

Do not take 5-HTP if you're taking other medications that increase serotonin levels, such as antidepressants like SSRIs and MAO inhibitors. Use caution when taking carbidopa, a medication for Parkinson's disease. 5-HTP is not recommended for people with Down syndrome, as it has been linked to seizures.

Does 5 HTP make you sleepy?

5-HTP produces serotonin, which can be converted into the hormone melatonin. Melatonin plays an important role in regulating sleep. Its levels begin to rise in the evening to promote sleep and fall in the morning to help wake you up.

Is 5 HTP good for anxiety?

The relaxation and anti-anxiety properties of 5-HTP appear to come from its ability to elevate levels of serotonin. Research has demonstrated that 5-HTP may reduce the risks of panic attacks and symptoms of panic, as well as anxiety and emotional stress.

How long before sleep should I take 5htp?

Use for at least two weeks to notice a beneficial effect ( 28 ). Migraines: 100–200 mg, 2–3 times per day with meals. Use for two to three weeks to notice a beneficial effect ( 33 ). Sleep aid: 100–300 mg, 30–45 minutes before bed.

Which is better for sleep Melatonin or 5 HTP?

5-HTP or Melatonin. Melatonin seems to work best when people have low melatonin levels, not if their levels are normal. It is useful for jet lag, ADHD, insomnia. 5-HTP comes from L-tryptophan and increases seratonin production and seratonin increases melatonin production in turn.

Does 5 HTP give you energy?

Another bonus of boosted serotonin levels in the brain is higher energy levels and better stamina. If your lifestyle is particularly hectic, you're sure to benefit from having more energy. Experts believe 5-HTP could help curb cravings for alcohol and carbs which can make us pile on the pounds.

How long can I take 5 HTP?

Some clinical research shows that taking 5-HTP by mouth improves symptoms of depression. Several studies have found that doses of 150-3000 mg daily for 2-4 weeks can improve symptoms of depression. Some early research shows that 5-HTP might be as beneficial as conventional antidepressant therapy for some people.

Can you drink alcohol with 5 HTP?

5-HTP and Alcohol. You should not drink alcohol while taking 5-HTP or any other herbal supplement. The risks of mixing alcohol and 5-HTP are unknown, but some people have claimed to experience seizures and a serious health condition called serotonin syndrome.

Is 5 HTP better than St John's wort?

As an easy comparison between the two St John's wort claims to stop the reabsorption of serotonin while 5-HTP increases the amount of serotonin overall. Serotonin levels have been connected to depression, mood disorders, the regulation of sleep, anxiety and pain sensation, among other conditions [7].

Can 5htp cause weight gain?

5-HTP may increase feelings of fullness, causing you to eat less and lose weight. Weight loss can increase the production of hormones that make you feel hungry. The results showed that those who received 5-HTP consumed approximately 435 fewer calories per day, compared to the placebo group ( 7 ).

Can 5 HTP replace antidepressants?

Here are a few of the scientific findings: 5-HTP can raise serotonin levels 540%, compared to Paxil's 450% and Prozac's 150% 250%. It also outperformed the SSRI Luvox as an antidepressant, 68 percent to 62 percent. John's wort has tested just as effective for depression relief as Prozac and more effective than Zoloft.

How much 5 HTP should I take for anxiety?

In over 20 years as an integrative psychiatrist, I have found that 5-HTP—50 milligrams to 100 milligrams taken three times a day—is a safe and effective approach for chronic generalized anxiety that is well tolerated without excessive daytime sedation.

When should I take 5 HTP for weight loss?

Pros suggest 50 to 75 mg about 30 minutes before each meal to lose weight. Do I have to diet? Studies show that 5-HTP enhances weight loss even if you continue eating your normal foods.

How much 5 HTP should I take for sleep?

There is no specific recommended daily allowance for 5-HTP. Most people will take 50–100 mg per day after starting at a lower dose of 25 mg and increasing the dose weekly. A person should read their supplement label and talk to a doctor before taking any supplement.

 

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b c d Carnevale G, et al. Anxiolytic-like effect of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. seed extract in rats. Phytomedicine. (2011)
• ^ 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine and l-tryptophan-5-hydroxylase in griffonia simplicifolia.
• ^ Lemaire PA, Adosraku RK. An HPLC method for the direct assay of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytrophan, in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Phytochem Anal. (2002)
• ^ a b Lescar J, et al. Isolectins I-A and I-B of Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia. Crystal structure of metal-free GS I-B(4) and molecular basis for metal binding and monosaccharide specificity. J Biol Chem. (2002)
• ^ Kirkeby S, Moe D. Binding of Griffonia simplicifolia 1 isolectin B4 (GS1 B4) to alpha-galactose antigens. Immunol Cell Biol. (2001)
• ^ Wu AM, et al. Further characterization of the combining sites of Bandeiraea (Griffonia) simplicifolia lectin-I, isolectin A(4). Glycobiology. (1999)
• ^ Zhu K, et al. An insecticidal N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectin gene from Griffonia simplicifolia (Leguminosae). Plant Physiol. (1996)
• ^ Zhu K, et al. Identification of N-acetylglucosamine binding residues in Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II. FEBS Lett. (1996)
• ^ Zhu-Salzman K, et al. Carbohydrate binding and resistance to proteolysis control insecticidal activity of Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (1998)
• ^ Zhu-Salzman K, Salzman RA. Functional mechanics of the plant defensive Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II: resistance to proteolysis is independent of glycoconjugate binding in the insect gut. J Econ Entomol. (2001)
• ^ Laitinen L. Griffonia simplicifolia lectins bind specifically to endothelial cells and some epithelial cells in mouse tissues. Histochem J. (1987)
• ^ Gebert A, et al. The apical membrane of intestinal brush cells possesses a specialised, but species-specific, composition of glycoconjugates--on-section and in vivo lectin labelling in rats, guinea-pigs and mice. Histochem Cell Biol. (2000)
• ^ De Vincenzi M, et al. Agglutinating activity of wheat gliadin peptide fractions in coeliac disease. Toxicology. (1995)
• ^ a b Rondanelli M, et al. Relationship between the absorption of 5-hydroxytryptophan from an integrated diet, by means of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and the effect on satiety in overweight females after oral spray administration. Eat Weight Disord. (2012)
• ^ a b Rondanelli M, et al. Satiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulation. Int J Obes (Lond). (2009)
• ^ a b c d Carnevale G, et al. Griffonia simplicifolia negatively affects sexual behavior in female rats. Phytomedicine. (2010)
• ^ a b Carnevale G, et al. Influence of Griffonia simplicifolia on male sexual behavior in rats: behavioral and neurochemical study. Phytomedicine. (2011)
• ^ Uphouse L. Female gonadal hormones, serotonin, and sexual receptivity. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. (2000)
• ^ Mendelson SD. A review and reevaluation of the role of serotonin in the modulation of lordosis behavior in the female rat. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. (1992)
• ^ Uphouse L, et al. 5-HT1A receptor antagonists and lordosis behavior. Neuropharmacology. (1996)
• ^ Wolf A, Caldarola-Pastuszka M, Uphouse L. Facilitation of female rat lordosis behavior by hypothalamic infusion of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor agonists. Brain Res. (1998)