Tribulus terrestris is a branching weedy shrub to vine, annual or perennial with world wide distribution in the tropics and sub-tropics, with distinctive burr fruit and sharp hard spines.

Tribulus terrestris has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda as an cooling agent, demulcent, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac. It's action on the mucous membrane of the urinary tract closely resembles that of Buchu and UvaUrsi flowers.

Uses in Traditional medicine: Diuretic, tonic, cooling agent, aphrodisiac, dried fruits are used in cases of spermatorrhoea, phosphaturia, diseases of genito urinary tract such as dysuria, gonorrhoea, chronic cystitis. Calculus affections, urinary disorders, incontinence of urine, gout and impotence, also in uterine disorders after parturition. Useful in diabetes, upper and lower respiratory infections, piles and cardiac troubles.

Function:

1、Smooth Muscle Spasms or Colic Pains

Tribulus terrestris L. has been commonly used in folk medicine as diuretic and against colic pains. Saponin in Tribulus terrestris has caused a significant decrease on peristaltic movements of isolated sheep ureter and rabbit jejunum preparations in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). According to these results it has been suggested that T. terrestris L. Saponin may be useful on some smooth muscle spasms or colic pains.

2、Aphrodisiac

Researches have concluded that Tribulus extract may be of benefit to men troubled by impotence, low libido and poor sperm quality. Tribulus can increase the amount of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) produced by the body's pituitary gland. LH stimulates the testes to secrete the male hormone Testosterone. Studies have shown better than 50% increase in testosterone levels when taking Tribulus Terrestris extract. Studies in Bulgaria involving 212 men with conditions including impotence, hypogonadism (decreased function of the testes) and sperm deficiency revealed that Tribulus extract can significantly improve the quantity and quality of sperm. Men treated with Tribulus produced semen with a greater number of sperm and a higher percentage of motile sperm that swam faster and further. Men who had previously been unable to achieve an erection and men with a low libido also showed significant improvement.

3、Muscle Strength Enhancement

For many years Bulgarian strength athletes have been taking Tribulus extract in an effort to increase the strength of their muscles. Once again, the results are due to the role of Tribulus in increasing the production of luteinizing hormone, thereby stimulating the secretion of testosterone, which improves the body's ability to build muscle mass and strength. However, Tribulus is not a hormone supplement. By promoting the production of the body's own hormones, it works only within the body's natural limits to help men achieve their strength and muscular potential.

4、Lower Cholesterol

Some research evidence suggests that the herb may also be useful for lowering cholesterol through its action on the liver.

5、Relieve calculus affections and urinary disorders

The alcoholic extract of the fruits shows antiurolithiatic activity. At a daily oral dose of 100mg/kg administered for 2 to 4 weeks, it significantly reduced the weight of the stone by 60- 80% against artificially induced urolithiasis in albino rats. The chloroform, butanol and aqueous fractions of the alcoholic extract exhibited more marked activity and almost completely inhibited the stone formation. In addition, the extract also shows a significant diuretic activity.

Safety: 

No significant side effects should be expected at normal dosage of tribulus contained dietary supplements. However, the safety of high dose tribulus ingestion need further investigation.

Dosage:

A typical dosage of 250-800 mg of tribulus saponins per day is fairly common. Be sure to choose an extract standardized for at least 30-45% saponins

Chemistry:

The standardized active component of Tribulus Extract is tribuloside(saponins):

References:

1.  Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal, Harcourt, Brace & Company, (1):147, 1971.

2、Kun-Ying Yen. The Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica, SMC Publishing Inc., Taipei, 153, 1992.

Milanov, S. et al., Tribestan effect on the concentration of some hormones in serum of healthy subjects, 1983.

4、Protich, M. et al., Clinical trial of a Tribestan preparation in infertile men. Akush Ginekol, (4):326­329, 1983.

5、Reid, D., Chinese Herbal Medicine, Shambhala Publications Inc., Boston, 148, 1997.

6、Tomova, M. et al., An agent for stimulation of sexual function. Patent (11) 27584 A61K35/1978.

7、Viktorov, I. et al., Clinical investigation on Tribestan in males with disorders in the sexual function, 1982.

8. Yan W, Ohtani K, Kasai R, Yamasaki K. Steroidal saponins from fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Phytochemistry. 1996 Jul;42(5):1417-22.