Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant native to the warm temperate and tropical regions of Europe, southern Asia, Africa and Australia.
Contents
Uses
- Kidney problems, including kidney stones, and, a kidney disorder called Bright’s disease
- Painful urination
- As a “water pill” (diuretic) to increase urination
- For skin disorders, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, and scabies
- Male sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction (ED), involuntary release of semen without orgasm (spermatorrhea), and to increase sexual desire
- Heart and circulatory system problems, including chest pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and “tired blood” (anemia)
- Problems with digestion, including colic, intestinal gas (flatulence), constipation, and to expel intestinal parasitic worms
- Pain and swelling (inflammation) of the tissue lining the mouth (stomatitis) and sore throat
- Cancer, especially nose tumors.
- Women use tribulus to tone muscles before childbirth, to cause an abortion, and to stimulate milk flow.
- Gonorrhea
- Liver disease (hepatitis)
- Inflammation
- Joint pain (rheumatism)
- Leprosy
- Coughs
- Headache
- Dizziness (vertigo)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Enhancing athletic performance
- Stimulating appetite
- As an astringent
- Tonic
- Mood enhancer.
Benefits
- It is said to have a strong effect on testosterone and everything associated with it (libido, great mood, muscle building, restorative sleep, and protection of the cardiovascular system).
- Enhance athletic performance
- Heart and circulatory conditions
- Sexual issues.
Cautions
Don’t eat the spine-covered fruit. There has been a report of a serious lung problem linked to eating the fruit.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking tribulus during pregnancy is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Animal research suggests tribulus might harm fetal development. Not enough is known about the safety of using tribulus during breast-feeding. It’s best not to use tribulus if you are pregnant or nursing.
- Prostate problems or prostate cancer: There is a concern that tribulus might make prostate conditions such as benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) or prostate cancer worse. Developing research suggests that tribulus can increase prostate weight.
- Surgery: Tribulus might affect blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using tribulus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Lithium interacts with TRIBULUS:Tribulus might have an effect like a water pill or “diuretic.” Taking tribulus might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with TRIBULUS:Tribulus might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking tribulus along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Other Names
Abrojo, Abrojos, Al-Gutub, Baijili, Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris, Caltrop, Cat’s-Head, Ci Ji Li, Common Dubbletjie, Croix-de-Malte, Devil’s-Thorn, Devil’s-Weed, Espigón, Épine du Diable, Escarbot, German Tribulus Terrestris, Goathead, Gokhru, Gokshur, Gokshura, Nature’s Viagra, Puncture Vine, Puncture Weed, Qutiba, Small Caltrops, Tribule, Tribule Terrestre, Tribulis, Tribulis Terrestris, Tribulus terrestris.
References
Source: WebMD, “Tribulus”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/