The genus Griffonia was named by botanist Henri Baillon in honour of his friend and fellow physician Marie-Théophile Griffon du Bellay, explorer of Gabon, pioneer in the study of sleeping sickness and also of the African entheogen Iboga, source of the alkaloid ibogaine.

[3][4] 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an important building block for the human body to form serotonin, a neurotransmitter.

[5] In one "randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial" in 2010 Griffonia simplicifolia extract, was administered via oral spray to twenty overweight females resulting in increased satiety.

[6] Griffonia simplicifolia also has a legume lectin called GS Isolectin B4, which binds to alpha-D-galactosyl residues of polysaccharides and glycoproteins.

Botanical synonyms for the plant also include Schotia simplicifolia (Vahl ex DC) Baill.