Tribulus (aka Gokshura, Puncturevine; Tribulus terrestris) is an annual plant native to warm temperate regions from Europe through Northern France and East Asia, and invasive and spreading to many parts of the world.
Tribulus is known to survive in hot dry areas where not many other plants can survive and to produce sharp strong spines that can puncture many surfaces easily (think bicycle tires, thin shoes, and bare feet).
Despite the horrible thorns, Tribulus is sometimes consumed as a vegetable when cooked, which seems to be done mostly in times of famine. The seed capsules are also ground into a powder and made into a bread.
Tribulus has been used in traditional medicine systems as an aphrodisiac in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and south-eastern Europe. It is also used for various other benefits including astringent, tonic, digestive, skin, liver and respiratory health.
In Ayurveda, it is known to have a sweet taste and to be balancing on all three doshas. It is used for nourishing the body and improving strength, digestion, as an aphrodisiac, as well as for urinary and cardiovascular health.
Even though Tribulus is used and promoted in dietary supplements for athletic performance, its real interest is for promoting sexual health.
Most of the clinical studies on the use of Tribulus and sexual function have been done on women (which is a little odd for a medicinal plant). Clinical research has found Tribulus to improve sexual experience including overall satisfaction, lubrication, desire, and sexual arousal, as well as increasing free and bioavailable serum testosterone.
In Functional Medicine, Tribulus is often given to women for boosting testosterone against functional lab results. In preliminary research, a suggested mechanism of action is the increase of testosterone, lutenizing hormone, DHEA and dihydrotestosterone due to the content of protodioscin. Steroid saponins present in Tribulus may also promote sexual health, as they have been found to promote sperm motility and production in preclinical studies.
The main compounds of interest in Tribulus are the steroidal saponins and flavonoids, but other bioactives are present, including glycosides, phytosterols, tannins, terpenoids, amide derivatives, amino acids and proteins.
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*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.