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6 Health Benefits of Griffonia Simplicifolia Seed Extract

Written by Joe Cohen, BS | Last updated:
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Griffonia simplicifolia contains 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin, so researchers are looking into its effect on depression, anxiety, appetite, sleep, and motion sickness. Learn more here.

What is Griffonia simplicifolia?

Griffonia simplicifolia is a small, green shrub found in West Africa. In traditional African medicine, it is used to treat a wide range of illnesses [1].

Active Components

The main active component of interest in Griffonia simplicifolia is 5-HTP, the immediate biological precursor to serotonin and melatonin [2].

5-HTP is considered the most likely component behind the reported mood, weight loss, and sleep benefits of this plant [3].

Potential Health Benefits of Griffonia simplicifolia

Griffonia simplicifolia supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.

Possibly Effective For

1) Headaches and Migraines

In a study of 374 children with migraine symptoms, Griffonia simplicifolia (50 mg twice a day along with other supplements, including tryptophan, vitamin PP, and B6) reduced the number, length, and intensity of headache symptoms [4].

However, while Griffonia simplicifolia was effective, children who received an extract of Ginkgo biloba (ginkgolide B) instead experienced greater improvement after six months [4].

Another study of 49 people found that a Tanacetum parthenium, Griffonia simplicifolia, and magnesium formulation reduced migraine symptoms, including aura, by 50% [5].

Insufficient Evidence For

The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of Griffonia simplicifolia for any of the below-listed uses. Furthermore, the best evidence of potential benefits comes from studies on 5-HTP rather than seed or plant extracts.

Remember to speak with a doctor before taking Griffonia simplicifolia supplements, and never use them in place of something your doctor recommends or prescribes.

2) Depression

5-HTP, a core component of Griffonia simplicifolia, is known for its antidepressive effects, improving mood disorders (such as depression) by increasing serotonin levels in the brain [6].

5-HTP improved symptoms in a study of 15 women with drug-resistant depression [7].

Unfortunately, no clinical studies have directly investigated Griffonia simplicifolia or its extracts; all the available evidence in humans is limited to studies of 5-HTP.

3) Sleep

In multiple small clinical studies, 5-HTP derived from Griffonia simplicifolia reduced the severity of insomnia [8, 9].

In a study of 45 children, a low dose (2 mg/kg per day) of 5-HTP at bedtime prevented night terrors in over 80% of the subjects after 6 months. This effect has not been investigated in Griffonia simplicifolia, only in standardized 5-HTP [10].

4) Appetite

In a DB-RCT of 20 women, a Griffonia simplicifolia extract and 5-HTP spray increased feelings of fullness (satiety). The authors suggested that it may be helpful in preventing overeating [11].

5) Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a serotonin-related condition. In a study of 254 children, a complex of Griffonia simplicifolia and magnesium (50 mg and 200 mg, respectively) twice a day reduced motion sickness symptoms [12].

6) Stress and Anxiety

The leaves of Griffonia simplicifolia are traditionally ground into a tea and used for calming and stress-reducing effects. The seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia also reduced anxiety symptoms in rats [13].

5-HTP, which is abundant in the seeds, has shown promise in a number of neurological conditions, such as mood disorders (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and migraine headaches [14].

Limitations and Caveats

The major limitation associated with Griffonia simplicifolia is the lack of extensive large, controlled studies for evaluating the effectiveness of the supplement in humans. Some of the studies were only conducted with the main ingredient, 5-HTP [14].

The majority of research supporting the positive effects of this plant is over 20 years old or is anecdotal. In addition, many studies involve a small number of subjects or animals [14].

Furthermore, in many studies, Griffonia simplicifolia is often administered with another supplement, which makes it hard to identify if the observed benefits were due to Griffonia simplicifolia alone or not [12, 14].

Side Effects

In animals, side effects have ranged in severity and included gastrointestinal ulcers, vomiting, and stomach cramps; however, there are few reported cases of these adverse events in humans [15].

In rats, Griffonia simplicifolia reduced sex drive [3, 16].

A dog treated with 5-HTP developed serotonin syndrome [17].

Drug Interactions

Due to the high levels of 5-HTP, individuals taking medications for Parkinson’s disease (e.g., carbidopa) experience severe side effects when taking 5-HTP as a supplement [18].

5-HTP, abundant in Griffonia simplicifolia, is a precursor to serotonin. Individuals taking SSRIs or MAOIs as antidepressants should avoid Griffonia simplicifolia due to potential side effects caused by increased serotonin levels [14].

To avoid adverse effects and unexpected interactions, talk to your doctor before using Griffonia simplicifolia supplements.

Supplementation

Forms

The natural source of Griffonia simplicifolia is the plant itself or prepared extracts [14].

For weight loss studies, the extract was prepared as an oral spray [11].

The main active ingredient, 5-HTP, is also available as a supplement.

Dosage

There is no safe and effective dose of Griffonia simplicifolia for any health purpose because no sufficiently powered study has been conducted to find one. That said, clinical studies have found benefits at certain doses.

Most beneficial effects have been at a dose of 100 mg taken orally, once or twice per day [14].

Studies of children have used lower doses of about 50 mg/day [12].

User Reviews

People who took Griffonia simplicifolia or purified 5-HTP had positive results, finding that supplementation helps enhance their mood, appetite, and sleep.

Most people say they take the supplement at bedtime to promote sleep. Some individuals take the supplement with other anti-anxiety medication and/or antidepressants, with positive effects.

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About the Author

Joe Cohen, BS

Joe Cohen, BS

Joe Cohen flipped the script on conventional and alternative medicine…and it worked. Growing up, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety, and other issues that were poorly understood in traditional healthcare. Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a learning journey to decode his DNA and track his biomarkers in search of better health. Through this personalized approach, he discovered his genetic weaknesses and was able to optimize his health 10X better than he ever thought was possible. Based on his own health success, he went on to found SelfDecode, the world’s first direct-to-consumer DNA analyzer & precision health tool that utilizes AI-driven polygenic risk scoring to produce accurate insights and health recommendations. Today, SelfDecode has helped over 100,000 people understand how to get healthier using their DNA and labs.
Joe is a thriving entrepreneur, with a mission to empower people to take advantage of the precision health revolution and uncover insights from their DNA and biomarkers so that we can all feel great all of the time. 

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