Tribulus Terrestris

What is it?

Tribulus Terrestris, also known as puncture vine, is a plant that grows in various climates around the world, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The fruit, leaves, and roots of the plant are used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. Tribulus Terrestris is commonly used to enhance libido, support cardiovascular health, and improve physical performance.

How does it work for medicinal purposes?

Tribulus Terrestris works by influencing hormone levels, particularly testosterone. It contains saponins, which are believed to increase the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and subsequently raise testosterone levels. Additionally, it exhibits antioxidant properties, supports cardiovascular health, and may improve athletic performance and muscle growth.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The primary active ingredients in Tribulus Terrestris include:

• Saponins (particularly protodioscin): Contribute to its hormone-modulating effects.
• Flavonoids: Provide antioxidant benefits.
• Alkaloids: Contribute to its overall medicinal properties.
• Glycosides: Support various health benefits, including cardiovascular health.

What forms does it come in?

• Capsules or tablets
• Powdered root or fruit extract
• Tinctures and liquid extracts
• Tea (from dried leaves and roots)

What if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

Tribulus Terrestris can help address hormonal imbalances related to low testosterone levels, which can affect sexual health, energy levels, and muscle mass. Including Tribulus Terrestris in your regimen can support overall vitality, improve physical performance, and enhance well-being.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Tribulus Terrestris has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. It has been traditionally employed to enhance libido, improve kidney and liver function, and boost energy levels.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help?

Tribulus Terrestris has been shown in clinical trials and studies to help with the following conditions and symptoms:

1. Low Libido (Men and Women)

• Enhances sexual desire and performance by influencing hormone levels.

1. Erectile Dysfunction (Men)

• Improves erectile function by increasing testosterone and enhancing blood flow.

1. Low Energy Levels (Both)

• Boosts energy and reduces fatigue by promoting hormonal balance and improving overall vitality.

1. Stress (Both)

• Reduces cortisol levels, helping manage stress and improve mood.

1. Muscle Growth (Men)

• Supports muscle mass and strength by promoting anabolic processes.

1. Athletic Performance (Both)

• Increases stamina, strength, and endurance by boosting testosterone levels and supporting overall physical performance.

1. Cardiovascular Health (Both)

• Supports heart health by improving blood circulation and reducing oxidative stress.

1. Urinary Tract Health (Both)

• Helps alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections and supports kidney health.

1. Infertility (Men)

• Improves sperm quality and motility, enhancing male fertility.

1. Menopausal Symptoms (Women)

• Alleviates symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings by balancing hormone levels.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help prevent?

Tribulus Terrestris can help prevent:

1. Age-Related Testosterone Decline (Men)

• Supports healthy testosterone levels, preventing age-related hormonal decline in men.

1. Chronic Fatigue (Both)

• Boosts energy and reduces fatigue, preventing chronic low energy.

1. Stress-Related Health Issues (Both)

• Reduces cortisol levels, preventing stress-related conditions.

1. Muscle Loss (Men)

• Supports muscle maintenance and growth, preventing sarcopenia in men.

1. Cardiovascular Issues (Both)

• Supports overall cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.

1. Urinary Tract Infections (Both)

• Antimicrobial properties help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

1. Infertility (Men)

• Improves sperm health, preventing male infertility.

1. Menopausal Symptoms (Women)

• Helps balance hormone levels, preventing severe menopausal symptoms.

1. Cognitive Decline (Both)

• Antioxidant properties support brain health and prevent cognitive decline.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies (Both)

• Provides essential nutrients that support overall health and prevent deficiencies.

Which foods are rich in it?

Tribulus Terrestris itself is not found in foods and is primarily consumed as an herbal supplement. However, maintaining a diet rich in nutrients that support hormonal balance and overall health can complement the effects of Tribulus Terrestris. Such foods include:

• Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish)
• Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale)
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Fruits and vegetables

What are possible side effects?

Tribulus Terrestris is generally safe for most people, but possible side effects include:

• Common (10-30%)
• Mild gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stomach upset, nausea)
• Less Common (1-10%)
• Restlessness or insomnia (due to increased energy levels)
• Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching)
• Rare (<1%)
• Interactions with certain medications (e.g., hormone therapies)

What does Tribulus Terrestris help with?

Tribulus terrestris is a low, spiky plant with small yellow flowers. It grows around the Mediterranean, in India, in China and in Eastern Europe. Healers in all those places have used the fruit and root for a very long time.

The library grades the whole body of evidence B. The strongest human trials are about sexual desire in men and women. Its fame as a muscle and sports booster has not held up in trials.

• Low sex drive, in men and women
  Good evidence — several human trials, 4 to 8 weeks of daily use. In more than one human trial, people said their desire went up. They took Tribulus every day for 4 to 8 weeks. When it was tested head to head against dummy pills, the gain was not just placebo.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Low desire, arousal or satisfaction in women
  Good evidence — several randomised trials in women only. Several randomised trials enrolled women alone. Some had gone through menopause. Others had a low desire disorder. Scores for desire, arousal and satisfaction rose more than with dummy pills.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Mild trouble getting or keeping an erection
  Good evidence — several clinical trials in men with mild to moderate symptoms. In several clinical trials, men with mild to moderate trouble had better function and satisfaction scores. The change showed up most clearly around day 85 to 90. In those trials it was used as a support, not as the only step.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Kidney stones that keep coming back
  Early evidence — early, small human research. Some early human studies found fewer repeat stones of certain kinds. One proposed route is fewer calcium oxalate crystals in urine, but that work is preliminary. The findings line up with its old use as a urinary herb.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Irregular periods with PCOS
  Early evidence — preliminary human research plus long traditional use. Early studies looked at cycle timing in women with PCOS. Some reported more regular periods. A mild effect on hormones has been put forward as the reason, but that is not settled.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Wellbeing around menopause
  Early evidence — studies in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Studies in women around and after menopause reported fewer sexual complaints. Some women also reported better general wellbeing. The gains were modest, and this is not hormone therapy.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Low testosterone in men
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — human trials that disagree with each other. The trials do not agree. In some men whose levels were below normal, testosterone rose a little. In healthy young athletes, trials found no change at all.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Mildly high blood pressure
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — animal studies plus limited human data. Animal studies found small drops in blood pressure. The human data on this is limited and thin. Nitric oxide pathways have been named as a possible route, but that work is mostly in animals.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Urinary discomfort
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition and lab work only; no human trial on file. Ayurveda and Chinese medicine both used it as a urinary tonic. Lab work describes a mild water-losing and anti-inflammatory action. No human trial on file has tested urinary comfort.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3

What Tribulus Terrestris has not been shown to do

• In trained athletes, trials have largely not found gains in strength, muscle size or endurance.
• In healthy young men with normal testosterone, trials generally found no rise in testosterone.
• It has not been shown to act as hormone replacement for menopause.
• It has not been shown to replace standard blood pressure treatment.

How to read this:

A grade shows how strong the human evidence is, not how strong the effect is. A and B mean good randomised trials in people. C means small or early human work. D means the human studies clash. Insufficient means tradition or lab work only. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise that anything will work for you. Talk with your own doctor before you start, especially if you take other medicines.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help prevent?

Tribulus Terrestris can help prevent:

1. Age-Related Testosterone Decline (Men): Supports healthy testosterone levels, preventing age-related hormonal decline in men.
2. Chronic Fatigue (Both): Boosts energy and reduces fatigue, preventing chronic low energy.
3. Stress-Related Health Issues (Both): Reduces cortisol levels, preventing stress-related conditions.
4. Muscle Loss (Men): Supports muscle maintenance and growth, preventing sarcopenia in men.
5. Cardiovascular Issues (Both): Supports overall cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.
6. Urinary Tract Infections (Both): Antimicrobial properties help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.
7. Infertility (Men): Improves sperm health, preventing male infertility.
8. Menopausal Symptoms (Women): Helps balance hormone levels, preventing severe menopausal symptoms.
9. Cognitive Decline (Both): Antioxidant properties support brain health and prevent cognitive decline.
10. Nutrient Deficiencies (Both): Provides essential nutrients that support overall health and prevent deficiencies.

Which foods are rich in it?

Tribulus Terrestris itself is not found in foods and is primarily consumed as an herbal supplement. However, maintaining a diet rich in nutrients that support hormonal balance and overall health can complement the effects of Tribulus Terrestris. Such foods include:

• Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish)
• Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale)
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Fruits and vegetables

What are possible side effects?

Tribulus Terrestris is generally safe for most people, but possible side effects include:

• Common (10-30%): Mild gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stomach upset, nausea)
• Less Common (1-10%): Restlessness or insomnia (due to increased energy levels), Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching)
• Rare (<1%): Interactions with certain medications (e.g., hormone therapies)

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of Tribulus Terrestris varies depending on the form and individual health needs, but a common dose is:

• Capsules or tablets: 250-750 mg of standardized extract per day
• Root or fruit extract powder: 1-2 grams per day
• Tincture: Follow the dosage instructions on the product label, typically 1-2 ml taken 1-2 times daily

How many days does it take to work?

Some benefits of Tribulus Terrestris, such as improved energy levels and reduced stress, can be noticeable within a few days to weeks. Long-term benefits, such as increased muscle mass and enhanced sexual health, may take several weeks to months of regular use to become apparent.

What time of day is best to take it?

Tribulus Terrestris can be taken at any time of day. It is often recommended to take it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid potential restlessness or insomnia at night due to increased energy levels.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Tribulus Terrestris can be taken with or without food. Taking it with meals may help minimize any potential gastrointestinal discomfort. For optimal absorption and efficacy, follow the instructions provided on the product label.