Griffonia simplicifolia as a source for 5HTP nutrient available as a supplement pill

Griffonia simplicifolia is a woody climbing shrub that grows about 10 feet and native to West Africa and Central Africa. Extracts from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant contain a small percentage of 5-HTP. 5HTP supplements convert into serotonin in the human body and are available for sale over the counter.

5-HTP sold over the counter is extracted from the Griffonia simplicifolia seed. The seeds come from an African tree grown mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. 5-HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body. Only a small (3 to 7) percent of the griffonia simplicifolia seed is made of 5-HTP, therefore, consuming griffonia simplicifolia seeds is not an efficient way of getting 5-HTP. 5-HTP is not made from fermentation of bacteria. This plant also contains lectins.

Lectins in the seeds
The seeds of Griffonia simlicifolia contain four lectins, including GS-I and GS-II. GS-II is specific for terminal, non-reducing alpha or beta linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. This lectin is not blood group specific, unlike GS-I.

Benefit
Extract from this herb is useful in the treatment of depression, obesity, sleep disorders and anxiety disorders.

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