Tribulus terrestris, also called "puncture vine" is a plant long used around the world for the treatment of various ailments. Tribulus is popularly claimed to improve sexual function in humans. In Turkey, tribulus is commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of abdominal colic, hypertension and high cholesterol. In Europe tribulus has been used in folk medicine throughout history, as far back as the Greeks, treating such wide-ranging conditions as headache, nervous disorders, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. In China and India, tribulus has been touted for use in liver, kidney, urinary, and cardiovascular remedies. For information on natural ways to treat impotence.

Tribulus product, Physician Formulas

Tribulus is a tropical vine that contains furostanol saponins, the active component. This herb is popular for its potent role in supporting reproductive function. Tribulus terrestris can be used by both men and women.

Tribulus Terrestris Supplement Facts
Tribulus Terrestris -- 400 mg
     (standardized to 40 % saponins)

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Sexual herbs and supplements that are effective in improving stamina and performance
Additional herbs that have an influence on sexuality include: Ashwagandha herb, avena sativa, butea superba, Catuaba herb, cnidium monnieri, coleus forskohlii, damiana, Deer-Antler-Velvet extract, fish oils, Horny-Goat-Weed herb, Maca herb, Mucuna-Pruriens herb, Muira-Puama herb, Rehmannia herb, Rhodiola herb, Tongkat-Ali herb, and Yohimbe.

Where is Tribulus found?
Tribulus terrestris grows naturally in many parts of the world including the Americas, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Tribulus is considered a noxious weed found abundantly on roadsides and vacant lots whose seeds are sharp and painful to step on. The foliage of tribulus is toxic to livestock, especially sheep, when consumed in large quantities. The fruits/berries of tribulus are the parts most often used in traditional medicine. The composition of different substances within tribulus is likely to vary depending on which part of the world it grows.

Tribulus Research
One rodent study found tribulus to be helpful as a sex booster. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of tribulus as an aphrodisiac. ICP refers to blood flow into the corpus cavernosa of the penis. Adult rats were divided into groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight) and tribulus treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or tribulus extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP. There was also a mild to moderate improvement in sexual behavior as evidenced by an increase in mounting frequency.
   Tribulus has been studied in China and found to reduce the frequency of angina pectoris. Laboratory studies have found tribulus to have anti-microbial and anti-tumor potential. I have not seen any good evidence that tribulus enhances athletic performance or has a significant effect on blood levels of testosterone. Tribulus may also lower blood levels of cholesterol, and, in addition, tribulus may also have antioxidant properties.
   Tribulus, by itself, does not improve athletic performance (see below)

Tribulus Mechanism of Action
Tribulus may work by relaxing smooth muscles and increasing blood flow into the corpus cavernosa. The relaxant effect observed is probably due to the increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nerve endings. Since tribulus relaxes smooth muscles, this may account for its benefits in abdominal colic.

What's in Tribulus Terrestris?
The fruits of tribulus contain a number of different substances including saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, and essential oil. Recently, two new saponins have been isolated from tribulus terrestris: Terrestrinins A and B, .
   A frequently mentioned substance in tribulus is protodioscin, which some claim is one of the active substances within this plant. When different samples of tribulus were analyzed, significant differences in the composition of saponins were observed depending on the origin and plant part used. One analysis of products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.5 % in protodioscin content.

Availability of Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus is most often found in combination with other sex-enhancing herbs. Tribulus is also sold by itself often in a dosage ranging from 250 to 750 mg. Tribulus is found in a variety of extract potencies.

Tribulus Cautions and Side Effects
No side effects have yet been reported in the medical literature regarding the use of tribulus terrestris. However, little is known about the long-term use of tribulus consumption in humans. As with most herbs, it is best to take breaks from use.

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Tribulus Research - Saponin in Tribulus
A novel furostanol saponin from Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin.
Conrad J, Dinchev D. Department of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.. Fitoterapia. 2004 Mar;75(2):117-22.
The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris of Bulgarian origin has resulted in the isolation of the novel furostanol saponin 1, named tribol, together with the known spirostanol saponins 2 and 3 and sitosterol glucoside. The structure of tribol was determined as (25R)-furost-5(6)-ene-3beta,16,26-triol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-glucopyranoside (1) by spectral analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D-NMR experiments.

Tribulus as Aphrodisiac and Erectile Function
Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.
Life Sci. 2002 Aug 9;71(12):1385-96. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119704, Singapore.
Tribulus terrestris has long been used in the traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments and is popularly claimed to improve sexual functions in man. Sexual behaviour and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of tribulus containing protodioscin (PTN) as an aphrodisiac. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously, bi-weekly) and tribulus treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. There was an overall reduction in the sexual behaviour parameters in the castrated groups of rats as reflected by decrease in mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF) and increase in mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, EL) as well as post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or tribulus extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP that were statistically significant. There was also a mild to moderate improvement of the sexual behaviour parameters as evidenced by increase in MF and IF; decrease in ML, IL and PEI. These results were statistically significant. It is concluded that tribulus extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of tribulus (observed in our earlier study on primates).

Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum.
Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000 Jan;29(1):22-6. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral treatment of Tribulus extract on the isolated corpus cavernosal tissue of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits and to determine the mechanism by which protodioscin (PTN), a constituent of the Tribulus extract, exerts its pharmacological effects. Twenty-four NZW rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups of 6 each. Group I served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with the extract at different dose levels, i.e. 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The Tribulus extract was administered orally, once daily, for a period of 8 weeks. The rabbits were then sacrificed and their penile tissue isolated to evaluate the responses to both contracting and relaxing pharmacological agents and electrical field stimulation (EFS). PTN on its own had no effect on the isolated corpus cavernosal strips. The relaxant responses to EFS, acetylcholine and nitroglycerin in noradrenaline precontracted tissues from treated groups showed an increase in relaxation of a concentration dependent nature compared to that of the tissues from control group. However, the contractile, anti-erectile response of corpus cavernosal tissue to noradrenaline and histamine showed no significant change between the treatment and the control groups. The relaxant responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin and EFS by more than 10%, 24% and 10% respectively compared to their control values and the lack of such effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline and histamine indicate that PTN has a proerectile activity. The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac. However, further study is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its action.

Tribulus questions
Q. What is the optimum tribulus terrestri dosage?
   A. Each person is different, but a tribulus dosage of about 100 to 400 mg of a 40 percent extract is an optimum tribulus range.

Q. Can you take the Passion Rx, Tribulis terrestri, Tongat Ali etc with food? Are they all in capsule form, so you can take part at a time? How do these taste? Can you mix in say V8 juice and not be repelled by the taste.
   A. Passion Rx is potent so we don't suggest taking it with tribulus or other herbs the same day. They are bittler but small amounts in a couple of ounces of V8 juice should be fine. They are in capsule form and the capsule can be opened by pulling on each side with a slight twisting motion. Taking it on an empty stomach may help absorption to be more complete.

Q. I have a question about tribulus terrestres. Does this herb increase energy?
   A. Yes, but repeated usage over several days and weeks is not advised. Tribulus herb works better for energy when used less frequently.

Q. Does tribulus terrestres really work for sex? What about arginine.
   A. Yes, tribulus terrestris does help with healthy erectile function, but for some people it may take a few days.

Q. Any reason to be concerned in using Tribulus terrrestres having ( BPH ) benigh prostate enlargement?
   A. We have not seen any research regarding a connection between tribulus terrestris and prostate enlargement, but as with most supplements, we advise taking breaks from use and this minimize any potential problems.

Q. Is tribulus terrestres a legal supplement to use by professional football players?
   A. As far as we know, tribulus terrestris supplement is legal to use in all professional sports.

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