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Overview: Griffonia is a plant called Griffonia simplicifolia. Its seeds are the main source of a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which is used by the body to make serotonin. Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps control mood, sleep, and appetite. People take griffonia most often for low mood or depression, trouble sleeping, appetite control, and anxiety, but the benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include stomach problems, such as nausea. Before taking griffonia, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking, especially antidepressants.

Uses

What is griffonia used for?

Griffonia (Griffonia simplicifolia) is used for various reasons, but evidence in humans is limited. The benefits of griffonia for most uses are not well defined. Some people use it for the following reasons.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed griffonia for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does griffonia work (mechanism of action)?

Griffonia comes from a plant called Griffonia simplicifolia. It is a woody, climbing shrub in the legume (Fabaceae) family. It grows in West African countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The seeds of the plant are used to make supplements. The seeds are a rich natural source of a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). 5-HTP can make up a notable amount of the seed by weight.

Most griffonia supplements are used for their 5-HTP content. 5-HTP is the chemical thought to be responsible for most of griffonia’s effects. 5-HTP is naturally present in your body. Your body uses 5-HTP to make serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. Serotonin helps control mood, sleep, and appetite. Your body also uses 5-HTP to make melatonin, a hormone that helps control your sleep-wake cycle.

An enzyme in the body changes 5-HTP into serotonin. Unlike serotonin itself, 5-HTP can cross into the brain from the blood. Because of this, taking 5-HTP can increase serotonin levels in the brain. This is the main reason griffonia is used for mood, sleep, and appetite.

Because serotonin plays a role in these functions, researchers have studied serotonin building blocks like 5-HTP for depression and other conditions. Some research suggests a possible benefit for depression, but the studies are small and of low quality. For most other uses, the evidence in people is limited, or the evidence comes from laboratory and animal research. For these reasons, the benefits of griffonia are not well defined.

Herbal products like griffonia naturally contain many different chemicals, such as 5-HTP. The amounts of each chemical in a specific griffonia product may vary. Different amounts of 5-HTP may change the effects of griffonia on the body. Some griffonia dietary supplements are made to contain a certain amount of these substances. There are also some dietary supplements made from griffonia that only contain 5-HTP.

How should I store griffonia?

You should store griffonia according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of griffonia?

The most common side effects of griffonia are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Upset stomach 
  • Loss of appetite

There may be other side effects of griffonia that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of griffonia?

While less common, the most serious side effects of griffonia are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Griffonia may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking griffonia and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use griffonia?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take griffonia.

  • 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
  • Bandeiraea simplicifolia
  • Griffonia
  • Griffonia simplicifolia
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific griffonia products they stock.

What should I know about griffonia before using it?

Griffonia is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Griffonia is available in several forms. Common forms include capsules and tablets. Some products are made from standardized griffonia seed extract, and some contain only purified 5-HTP. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Low mood, depression, anxiety, and sleep problems can be signs of a serious health condition that needs care. Do not try to treat these symptoms on your own. Talk to your health care provider before using griffonia if you have symptoms that are severe or do not go away.

If you take medicines that affect serotonin levels, such as antidepressants, talk to your health care provider before starting griffonia. Griffonia can cause serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome, when taken with certain medicines for depression. See the Interactions section for more details.

Keep griffonia out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as griffonia, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific griffonia product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Griffonia seeds are a natural source of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Some dietary supplement products containing 5-HTP have been found to contain a harmful contaminant that may be linked to a rare but serious condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). It has not been proven that 5-HTP causes this condition. But the FDA has not tested these products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using griffonia?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if griffonia is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had depression, anxiety, or trouble sleeping, especially if your symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking griffonia, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details. This is very important if you take medicines that increase serotonin levels, such as antidepressants.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how griffonia could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if griffonia passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does griffonia interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between griffonia and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect griffonia.

Does griffonia interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking griffonia.

  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • A triptan, such as eletriptan (Relpax), sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
  • Tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, and others), which is a prescription pain medicine
  • Dextromethorphan, which is an OTC cough medicine
  • Other supplements that may affect serotonin, such as SAMe or St. John’s wort 
  • Carbidopa, which is a medicine used with levodopa for Parkinson’s disease

The interactions between griffonia and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with griffonia is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking griffonia with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much griffonia?

If you or someone else has used too much griffonia, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Griffonia is available in many forms, including capsules and tablets. The amount of 5-HTP per dose can vary from one product to another. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use griffonia safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.