Griffonia ( Griffonia simplicifolia ) is a plant of the Leguminosae family. Useful against depression, anxiety and insomnia, it increases serotonin levels in the body. Let's find out better.
Property of griffonia
The seeds of griffonia contain 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of serotonin, the "wellness hormone", which in our body is involved in various physiological functions, including the regulation of mood, of sleep and appetite.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter synthesized by our body, starting from tryptophan, an "essential" amino acid because the human organism is not capable of producing it, and for this reason it can only be taken through food.
5-HTP is an intermediate step in this synthesis, therefore, by taking Griffonia, it is possible to naturally increase the levels of serotonin in the body.
The Griffonia is in fact today used with good results as a natural antidepressant for the treatment of mild or moderate depression; in states of anxiety; in seasonal depressions and insomnia, as it raises serotonin levels and regulates the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm)
The use of griffonia has also proved useful for the control of nervous hunger, which often causes an irrepressible desire for food, in particular carbohydrates and simple sugars contained in sweets .
Method of use
300-600 mg dry extract in tablets or capsules away from meals, distributed on 2 daily intakes
Contraindications of griffonia
Taking griffonia can lead to some minor side effects, such as nausea, meteorism and heartburn.
Before proceeding to its use, it is always better to consult a doctor and avoid it in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding and sensitivity to caffeine, contained in the plant.
The griffonia among the natural remedies for the immune system
Description of the plant
Large woody shrub that can reach 3 meters in height, flowers with greenish calyx and corolla, united in cluster inflorescences.
The seeds have a discoidal shape, take on a blackish color when they reach maturity and are similar to beans enclosed in pods, this is why it is also called " African bean ".
The habitat of griffonia
Native to the tropical and wet regions of central-western Africa, widespread especially in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo.
Background
Griffonia was used in its entirety in the ancient African tradition : the bark and the root as a chewing stick; the leaves to heal wounds, while the juice that is extracted as an enema and for the treatment of kidney disorders; the decoction of the leaves against vomiting and as an aphrodisiac; the bark of the bark as a patch on slight injuries.
The scientific interest in griffonia began in the 1980s, when synthetic tryptophan was used as an antidepressant and against insomnia. However, in the USA there were cases of serious reactions to the use of this synthetic amino acid, for which it was banned by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
It was later discovered that the problems had been caused by contaminating foreign substances contained in a supply of synthetic tryptophan, but the prohibition on the use of supplements based on synthetic tryptophan remained.
This led the research to find natural sources of this amino acid, alternatives to synthetic products, and it was thus that the virtues of Griffonia were discovered, which entered by force to be part of the baggage of modern western herbal medicine.
