Quick Navigation

Griffonia simplicifolia

Griffonia simplicifolia is an African shrub and a source of the compound 5-HTP. It has anxiety and appetite-reducing effects.

Our evidence-based analysis on griffonia simplicifolia features 21 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Griffonia simplicifolia

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Griffonia simplicifolia is a West African shrub. Griffonia simplicifolia is the largest source of the compound 5-HTP. Its seeds contain up to 20% 5-HTP, by weight.

Studies that have been done on Griffonia simplicifolia suggest that when supplemented as an herb, it may rival the effects of supplementing 5-HTP in isolation.

However, further research is needed to confirm this effect. There may be other bioactives in the plant that are still undiscovered.

Additional studies are needed to determine whether supplementing Griffonia simplicifolia is truly comparable to supplementing 5-HTP.

Guidance from the experts

Learn what supplements to take for your specific health goals with the Examine Supplement Guides.

Want a deeper look at the research? Examine Members get full access to the comprehensive research database, monthly study summaries, and the latest in-depth analysis.

Your support allows us to be 100% independent and unbiased.


How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Further research is needed to determine the optimal human dose of Griffonia simplicifolia. The lowest effect dose for rats is 25mg/kg of bodyweight, which is about 4mg/kg of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, assuming 20% 5-HTP content. This translates to following human doses:

• 275mg Griffonia(55mg of 5-HTP) for a 150lb person

• 350mg Griffonia (70mg of 5-HTP) for a 200lb person

• 450mg Griffonia (90mg of 5-HTP) for a 250lb person

It is unknown whether Griffonia simplicifolia has other bioactives other than 5-HTP. The human dosages listed above are derived from rodent studies, and are not optimal, which is why they are different from the optimal dose of 5-HTP.

Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Do Not Confuse With

5-HTP (Bioactive)

Caution Notice

Due to being a vessel for 5-HTP in sufficient amounts, the cautions on the 5-HTP page will extend to supplementation with Griffonia Simplicifolia and this herb should not be used alongside cognitive drugs and particularly SSRIs.

Get our free 5-day course on the essentials of supplementation.

At Examine, our incentives line up with yours — getting unbiased information. That's why we don’t sell any advertising or supplements.

Join over 250,000 people who have learned about effective versus overrated supplements, tips for buying supplements, and how to combine supplements for safety and efficacy.

Research Breakdown on Griffonia simplicifolia

1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

1.2Composition

2Pharmacology

2.1Oral

3Neurology

3.1Appetite

3.2Anxiety

3.3Aphrodisia
Click here to see all 21 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 21 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Griffonia simplicifolia.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

Articles

Health Topics

Membership Free Trial

Protein Intake Guide + Calculator

How to read a study

Company

Resources

Never miss an update!

Your email is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.