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super food guide
Griffonia: the complete guide
21
Jun
Jun
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The griffonia simplicifolia or griffonia for intimates, is a climbing plant native to Africa. Growing in tropical regions up to the edges of savannas, this plant has fruits with the appearance of pods filled with seeds.
Griffonia has always been used in traditional medicine in West Africa, and this, both on animals and on people. It is also exploited in traditional cuisine for its richness in proteins.
This plant discovered by scientists in the 1980s is full of extraordinary virtues. Ready? We take you to the heart of the action!
Quick Navigation
• The benefits of griffonia
• The origins of the griffonia
• Expert opinions
• Side effects and contraindications
• Dosage
• Where to buy it?
The benefits of griffonia
The 5-HTP
Before singing the praises of this amino acid, I think that a question is necessary: 5-HTP, what is it?
5-HTP, from its sweet name 5-Hydroxytryptophan, is a substance produced by our body from tryptophan (an essential amino acid not synthesized by the body but especially present in protein foods). Once the 5-HTP has been produced by our body and it has crossed the brain barrier, it will simply turn into serotonin!
For those who don’t know what serotonin is: a quick recap!
Serotonin is also called the “happiness hormone”. It is a neurotransmitter of the nervous system that has a major role in the regulation of mood, sleep, anxiety and appetite. You will quickly understand that our small 5-HTP is the source of many properties of our griffonia.
And what a chance! griffonia seeds contain a large amount of 5-HTP (up to 15%!): ideal to counteract a 5-HTP deficiency that would cause anxiety, insomnia, depression and eating disorders (a bit like a serotonin deficiency). In addition, griffonia is an excellent natural alternative to chemical antidepressants.
Internal uses
Griffonia can relieve many ailments. We can divide them into 5 main categories :
General condition
Thanks to its antioxidant action, griffonia helps to fight against cellular oxidation and therefore to prevent aging. This superfood carries everything and also intervenes in muscle relaxation and concentration. For the boost and concentration, we recommend combining it with maca!
Behavioral disorders
This is why the griffonia is the most famous. Thanks to its active ingredient that we no longer name (5-HTP if you haven’t followed it), our superfood can treat depression, irritability, anxiety, aggressiveness, loss of self-esteem and anxiety. It can be associated with ginseng, a superfood effective against overwork, stress and anxiety.
Appetite disorders
Griffonia is a great help when it comes to appetite disorders. It helps to fight obesity, bulimia and even promotes digestion. Griffonia helps to regulate appetite by increasing the feeling of satiety. In general, this leads to a spontaneous reduction in food portions. Nevertheless, this will not reduce the appetite of people who already have little of it.
Sleep disorders
It is also possible to solve problems such as insomnia, difficulty falling asleep and restless sleep thanks to our superfood of the day!
Pains
Finally, griffonia helps to reduce certain pains such as headaches, period-related pains as well as to fight against fribomyalgia (a disease associating muscle and joint pain with fatigue as well as sleep disorders, behavioral disorders and so on …)
External uses
Griffonia can be used as a healing agent, against wounds, dermatoses, burns, etc. It is also quite possible to combine it with ashwagandha for better healing and to fight against skin inflammations.
The origins of the griffonia
Griffonia was first used in traditional African medicine. All parts of the plant were used: for example the stems and leaves were used as purgative, vomiting, antitussive but also healing (external use)!
However, it is only in the 1980s that we will take a close interest in griffonia. After having noticed its benefits on mood disorders and discovered its incredible richness in 5-HTP, griffonia has established itself in Western herbal medicine.
Expert opinions
According to doctors, griffonia does indeed have effects on some of our problems. For people with bulimia, this plant helps to limit appetite thanks to a feeling of satiety. After approximately one week of treatment, the food intake is reduced by 10%.
Professionals remind that in case of persistence of symptoms, it is prudent to consult a specialist.
Griffonia also acts on mood, stress and sleep. If you want to take griffonia as a substitute for antidepressant treatment, it is necessary to consult your doctor. Indeed, depending on the level of depression, medications are better suited.
Adverse reactions and contraindications
There are few adverse reactions following a intake of griffonia. However, it is possible that you suffer from mild intestinal disorders. In this case, do not panic: it is enough to reduce the doses. In very rare cases, griffonia can also cause confusion, irritability, anxiety and restlessness.
The consumption of griffonia is however not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, children as well as people on antidepressants or taking anti-anxiety medications. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor for a better follow-up or if you have the slightest doubt. Prevention is better than cure!
Dosage
Griffonia exists in several forms: tablets, capsules, extracts, creams, ointments, powder, tinctures, etc.
We have concocted for you a small summary of the usually recommended doses. Nevertheless, keep in mind that it is important to follow and respect the indicated dosages. Believe me, an overdose will not bring you anything good!
Refer to the instructions for the preparations you are using for an appropriate dosage.
It is possible to consume griffonia in its homeopathic form. For the dosage, it is necessary to inquire with a specialist in homeopathy who will be able to indicate the correct dosage according to your pathology.
Griffonia can also be taken in the form of EPS (standardized fresh plant extracts). The recommended dose to fight against stress, insomnia, and light to moderate depression is usually 50 drops three times a day (morning, noon and evening before going to bed). Most of the time, these cures last 3 months.
Regarding the capsules, the intake is between 1 and 4 doses per day depending on the concentration of the product and the pathology targeted. Prefer to take it at the end of the evening to avoid any risk of daytime drowsiness and loss of alertness (driving a vehicle, etc.).
Griffonia cures usually last between one and three months. For a permanent intake, ask your doctor for advice. Do not hesitate to start your treatment with a lighter dosage so that your body gets used to griffonia.
As previously mentioned, it is quite possible to use this plant for external use. If it is extremely difficult to obtain this plant in Europe, there are nevertheless cosmetic or dermatological care products containing extracts of griffonia (creams, lotions, ointments…). You will find the recommended dosages on the instructions of your products.
Where to buy it?
It is possible to find griffonia in specialized stores, pharmacies (mainly in the form of EPS and homeopathy) and in nature stores.
To take advantage of its benefits and optimal quality, it is important that the dry extract of griffonia seeds is titrated with a minimum of 30%.
Don't know which products to eat to reach your health goals?
Find out in less than a minute by making your personalized diagnosis.
