Griffonia Simplicifolia: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Griffonia simplicifolia is a shrub native to West Africa. Its seeds contain a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and are used as medicine.

5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, pain, and mood.

People use Griffonia simplicifolia seeds for anxiety, depression, headache, insomnia, motion sickness, stress, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse Griffonia simplicifolia with 5-HTP, the main chemical in Griffonia simplicifolia seeds. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Griffonia Simplicifolia overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Griffonia simplicifolia is possibly safe when used in doses of up to 120 mg daily for 6 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Griffonia simplicifolia is safe to use long-term. Side effects might include stomach pain, anxiety, diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, and headache.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Griffonia simplicifolia is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: 5-HTP, a chemical found in Griffonia simplicifolia, can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Some drugs given during surgery can also affect serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain. Stop taking Griffonia simplicifolia at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Meperidine can also increase serotonin in the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with meperidine might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Pentazocine also increases serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with pentazocine might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Tramadol can also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with tramadol might cause too much serotonin in the brain and might result in side effects including confusion, shivering, stiff muscles, and others.
Carbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which can affect the brain. Carbidopa can also affect the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with carbidopa might increase the risk of serious side effects including rapid speech, anxiety, aggressiveness, and others.
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Dextromethorphan can also affect serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with dextromethorphan might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with these medications for depression might increase serotonin too much and cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Griffonia simplicifolia might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:271-80.

Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cancino A, et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:863-7.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Impurities confirmed in dietary supplement 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. FDA Talk Paper, August 31, 1998; T98-48.

Sternberg EM, Van Woert MH, Young SN, et al. Development of a scleroderma-like illness during therapy with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa. N Engl J Med 1980;303:782-7.

Poldinger W, Calanchini B, Schwarz W. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24:53-81.

Ribeiro CA. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Headache 2000;40:451-6.

U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. Information Paper on L-Tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, February 2001.

Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3.

Johnson KL, Klarskov K, Benson LM, et al. Presence of peak X and related compounds: the reported contaminant in case related 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan associated with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. J Rheumatol 1999;26:2714-7.

Preshaw RM, Leavitt D, Hoag G. The dietary supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan and urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid. CMAJ 2008;178:993.

Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cairella M, et al. Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects. Adv Exp Med Biol 1991;294:591-3.

Chae, H. S., Kang, O. H., Choi, J. G., Oh, Y. C., Lee, Y. S., Jang, H. J., Kim, J. H., Park, H., Jung, K. Y., Sohn, D. H., and Kwon, D. Y. 5-hydroxytryptophan acts on the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase pathway to modulate cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2009;32(4):553-557.

Rondanelli M, Klersy C, Iadarola P, 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;33:1174-1182.

Carnevale, G., Di, Viesti, V, Zavatti, M., Benelli, A., and Zanoli, P. Griffonia simplicifolia negatively affects sexual behavior in female rats. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(12):987-991.

Iovieno, N., Dalton, E. D., Fava, M., and Mischoulon, D. Second-tier natural antidepressants: review and critique. J Affect.Disord. 2011;130(3):343-357.

den Boer JA, Westenberg HG. Behavioral, neuroendocrine, and biochemical effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan administration in panic disorder. Psychiatry Res 1990;31:267-78.

Jangid P, Malik P, Singh P, Sharma M, Gulia AK. Comparative study of efficacy of l-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode. Asian J Psychiatr 2013;6:29-34.

Ceci F, Cangiano C, Cairella M, et al. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. J Neural Transm 1989;76:109-17.

Angst J, Woggon B, Schoepf J. The treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus imipramine. Results of two open and one double-blind study. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 1977;224:175-86.

Titus F, Dávalos A, Alom J, Codina A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial. Eur Neurol 1986;25:327-9.

De Benedittis G, Massei R. Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo. J Neurosurg Sci 1985;29:239-48.

Wyatt, R. J., Vaughan, T., Galanter, M., Kaplan, J., and Green, R. Behavioral changes of chronic schizophrenic patients given L-5- hydroxytryptophan. Science 9-22-1972;177(54):1124-1126.

van Hiele LJ. l-5-Hydroxytryptophan in depression: the first substitution therapy in psychiatry? The treatment of 99 out-patients with 'therapy-resistant' depressions. Neuropsychobiology 1980;6:230-40.

Pranzatelli, M. R., Tate, E., Huang, Y., Haas, R. H., Bodensteiner, J., Ashwal, S., and Franz, D. Neuropharmacology of progressive myoclonus epilepsy: response to 5- hydroxy-L-tryptophan. Epilepsia 1995;36(8):783-791.

Trouillas P, Serratrice G, Laplane D, et al. Levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Friedreich's ataxia. Results of a double-blind drug-placebo cooperative study. Arch Neurol 1995;52:456-60.

Pardo JV. Mania following addition of hydroxytryptophan to monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012;34(1):102.e13-4.

Rondanelli M, Opizzi A, Faliva M, Bucci M, Perna S. 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;17(1):e22-8.

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;13(6):333-7.

Emanuele E, Bertona M, Minoretti P, Geroldi D. An open-label trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in subjects with romantic stress. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2010;31(5):663-6.

Esposito M, Precenzano F, Sorrentino M, Avolio D, Carotenuto M. A medical food formulation of Griffonia simplicifolia/magnesium for childhood periodic syndrome therapy: an open-label study on motion sickness. J Med Food 2015;18(8):916-20.

Wang XZ, Wu FH, Qu W, Liang JY. A new ß-carboline alkaloid from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Chin J Nat Med 2013;11(4):401-5.

Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Zanoli P. Anxiolytic-like effect of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. seed extract in rats. Phytomedicine 2011;18(10):848-51.

Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Benelli A, Zanoli P. Influence of Griffonia simplicifolia on male sexual behavior in rats: behavioral and neurochemical study. Phytomedicine 2011;18(11):947-52.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Griffonia Simplicifolia - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Carbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Griffonia Simplicifolia

Dosing