Im12 weeks pregnant and feeling symptoms of depression. my naturopath gave me griffonia, told me to take 100 mg twice a day. is it safe?

No studies at all: Griffonia contains a precursor compound which eventually leads to increase in serotonin levels. However there are no studies in humans that it works and absolutely no studies in pregnant women. It is not advisable to take such medications during pregnancy. If you are feeling depressed please go to a trained psychiatrist and seek help, there are effective medications that are proved to be effective.

Griffonia contains: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-htp) a chemical precursor to the mood-regulating neurotransmitter serotonin. Because there is a lack of studies of the safety of this chemical, the university of maryland medical center & medlineplus, a service of the U.S. Library of medicine & national institutes of health, caution against taking 5-htp during pregnancy or if breast-feeding.

Not advisable: Griffonia is an african tree from whose seeds 5htp can be extracted. Many companies selling it recommend not using if pregnant. There are no research studies of using this in pregnancy. You're also still in your 1st trimester, an especially vulnerable developmental time. Psychotherapy may be a much safer, effective way to deal with your depression. If needed, there are meds we know more about.

Stop this now: There is no regulation of "natural" products. Your naturopath cannot guarantee that what is in the bottle you are using has griffonia, or some adulterant - nor that it contains the proper quanity. You might be putting your baby at risk.

Who knows ?: By definition, "alternative" is different than modern western medicine. Generally any drug, herb, treatment, or procedure that stands up to rigorous scientific scrutiny is included in modern medicine. The problem is that many alternative practices, herbs etc do not stand up to scientific scrutiny and cannot be shown to work. They therefore remain "alternative". Be careful. Can be dangerous.