Tribulus Terrestris (Puncture Vine)

Scientific/ Latin name: Tribulus Terrestris

Common name: Puncture Vine

Other names: Gokshura and Gokhru (Ayurveda), Bai Ji Li (Chinese), goathead, Mexican sandbur, Devil's thorn, three-corner jack, bhakra (Turkish)

What it is: a prostrate, matforming plant with trailing stems, each 1 to 6 feet long and hairy, grows small nut-like fruits

Habitat: India, China, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece

Parts used: seeds, leafs

History/traditional use: a long history of use as a physical rejuvenation tonic in ancient India, China, and Greece . It was recommended as a treatment for female infertility, impotence and low libido in both men and women, and also used to aid rejuvenation after long illness. Traditionally it has been used for sexual and kidney dysfunctions, colic pains, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and as a revitalizer and energizer.

Constituents: saponins consisting of glucopyranosyl galactopyrans, ruscogenin, hecogenin, diosgenin, polysaccharides, sterols consisting of sitosterol, campesterol flavonoids consiting of kaempferol, kaempferol glycosides, quercetin, fatty acids consisting of palmitic, stearic, oleic, lineleic acids, tannins, and potassium salts

Actions/Uses: When medal-winning Bulgaria Olympic athletes claimed that use of tribulus had contributed to their success, the herb became widely known in the West. Unconfirmed Bulgarian studies report increased levels of various hormones in the steroid family, including testosterone, DHEA and estrogen.

Preparation method: infusion, tincture, or as capsule

Side effects: none known

Interactions: none known, but should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women

Animal Studies: found to have toxic effects on sheep

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