Tribulus Terrestris: Restoring and Increasing Testosterone

Known by many common names, such as goat’s head, puncture vine and tackweed, Tribulus Terrestris is a vine plant with a long history of widespread use. Historically, it has been used in ancient Greece, India and Africa to support overall well-being. It has been used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Today, Tribulus Terrestris is recognized as a libido enhancer, reputed to restore and increase testosterone levels. Commonly used to build muscle strength and mass, it is marketed to enhance sports performance.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of Tribulus terrestris include…

Increased testosterone production
Increased muscle mass/strength
Increased sex drive in men and women
Anti-aging and anti-cancer properties

Active ingredient

The active ingredient in Tribulus terrestris is Saponins Protodioscin.

Native Habitat

A flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, it is native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil.

Like many weedy species, this plant has many common names, including bindii, bullhead, burra gokharu, caltrop, cat’s head, devil’s eyelashes, devil’s thorn, devil’s weed, goathead, puncture vine, and tackweed.

Known in Sanskrit as Goksura, the word Gokshura comes from two Sanskrit words: Go (cow) and Kshura (hoof). This is because the small fruits look very much like the hooves of cows, with several big thorns and lots of little spines on them.

Traditional Uses

In Ayurveda, the root and fruits of Tribulus terrestris are used for male virility and general vitality, respectively. Long a constituent in tonics in Indian Ayurveda practice, where it is known by its Sanskrit name, gokshura. It is also used in Unani, another medical system of India. The roots enhance libido and sexual wellbeing without affecting testosterone while the fruits appear to be potently protective of organ function.

Over the years, people have taken tribulus in an attempt to enhance athletic performance and for a wide range of health issues that may include heart and circulatory conditions and sexual issues. It is believed to contribute to overall physical, as well as sexual, strength by building all the tissues, especially shukra dhatu (reproductive tissue). It is also believed to be useful in kidney, bladder, urinary tract and uro-genital related conditions, where it is said to act as a diuretic.