Family:  Caesalpinaceae

Plant Parts used :  Seeds (Dried)

Chemical constituents:  The seeds contain 5 - Hydroxytryptophane.

Pharmacology:  It  enhances  the   activity  of  serotonin,  a  hormone produced by the brain that is involved in mood, sleep and appetite. Decreased levels of this neurotransmitter have been associated with depression, insomnia, obsessive/compulsive disorders as well as eating disorders leading to obesity, or the reverse/bulimia. In a study employing positron-emission tomography (PET) scanning, eight healthy volunteers and six people diagnosed with major depression received infusions of radio labelled 5-HTP. The researchers found that significantly less 5-HTP crossed the blood-brain barrier into the brains of the depressed subjects than into the brains of the normal controls. A significant reduction in anxiety was observed on three different scales designed to measure anxiety. In a study of 20 people with panic disorders, several experienced a feeling of "relief" after receiving 5-HTP. A group of Italian researchers reported that 20 obese patients taking 5-HTP (900 mg/day) lost a significant amount of weight, had less carbohydrate intake, and consistently became sated earlier than a similar group taking a placebo.

Therapeutic uses : It alleviates the effects of a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, insomnia and obesity.

Standardisation:  Griffonia simplicifolia  dry extract is standardized to 30% 5-HTP.