Background

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.

Safety Safety definitions

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 & 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.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Carbidopa (Lodosyn)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

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).

Meperidine (Demerol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Griffonia simplicifolia might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
Herbs and supplements with serotonergic properties: Griffonia simplicifolia increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking it along with other supplements that have this effect might cause serious side effects, including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting. Examples of supplements with this effect include 5-HTP, black seed, L-tryptophan, SAMe, and St. John's wort.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.