Herb's Introduction
Tribulus terrestris L. is an annual plant belonging to the family Zygophyllaceae. It's a small, prostrate, and creeping herb that thrives in dry, sandy, and warm temperate to tropical regions across the globe, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and is recognized as an important medicinal plant in countries like Nepal and India. Known in the traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine as Gokshura, it has been used for centuries for its varied therapeutic properties, particularly for issues related to the genitourinary system and as an aphrodisiac and tonic. The plant's medicinal value is attributed to its rich composition of biologically active substances, including steroidal saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. It is also colloquially known as "puncture vine" or "goat's head" due to its distinctive, woody, spiny fruit.
Name in Different Countries
Scientific Name: Tribulus terrestris L. Family: Zygophyllaceae Sanskrit: Gokshuraka, Trikata, Svadamshtra, Traikantaka Assamese: Gokshura, Gukhurkata Bengali: Gokshura, Gokhri English: Caltrops, Puncture Vine, Goat's Head Gujrati: Be tha gokharu, Nana gokharu, Mithogokharu Hindi: Gokhru Kannada: Sannanaggilu, Neggilamullu, Neggilu Kashmiri: Michirkand, Pakhda Malayalam: Nerinjil Marathi: Sarate, Gokharu Oriya: Gukhura, Gokhyura Punjabi: Bhakhra, Gokhru Tamil: Nerinjil, Nerunjil Telugu: Palleru Urdu: Khar-e-Khasak Khurd
Terminology
Gokshura (Sanskrit): The most common name in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda). The name is thought to derive from the spiky fruit's resemblance to the "cloven hoof of a cow" (Go meaning cow, kṣura meaning hoof or razor). Puncture Vine: A common English name referring to the sharp, spiny fruit (bur) that can easily puncture thin surfaces, especially tires or bare feet. Steroidal Saponins: The key group of bioactive chemical compounds, such as protodioscin, found in the plant, which are believed to be responsible for many of its biological activities, particularly its alleged effects on hormone levels and sexual function.
Availability
Tribulus terrestris is widely distributed globally, particularly in warm temperate, subtropical, and desert regions. In the Indian subcontinent, including Nepal and India, it is a common weed found in dry, waste places, roadsides, and pasture lands, especially in hot and dry, sandy soils up to considerable altitudes. Its common presence in Nepal, particularly in the lower altitude Terai forest regions, has made it a consistently used herb in traditional and indigenous Nepalese medicine. It's readily available commercially as a raw herb, dried fruit, powder, or extract in various forms of dietary supplements and herbal formulations around the world.
External Look
Growth Habit: It's a small, prostrate (lying flat on the ground), or sometimes more erect in shady areas, herbaceous plant with stems radiating from a central root crown, often forming flat patches on the ground. Stems: The greenish-red stems can reach up to 2 meters long, are branched, and covered with fine hairs. Leaves: The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound (feather-like), and consist of multiple pairs of small, oblong-lanceolate leaflets. Flowers: The flowers are small, measuring 4-10 mm wide, solitary, and have five yellow petals. Fruit (The Burr): This is the most characteristic part. The fruit is a hard, woody burr, approximately 1 cm in diameter, which splits into four or five wedge-shaped segments (nutlets). Each segment typically bears two pairs of hard, sharp spines. These spiny nutlets are responsible for the common names like Puncture Vine or Goat's Head.
Healing Properties
Diuretic and Anti-urolithiatic: Traditionally used as a potent diuretic (Mutrakruccha) and for treating urinary stone (Asmari) and other urinary tract issues. It can promote urination and potentially help stop the formation of calcium compounds that cause kidney stones. Aphrodisiac and Tonic: It is widely renowned as a tonic for overall vitality and an aphrodisiac to enhance sexual drive and performance, particularly in men. Cardiovascular Support: Research suggests potential for antihypertensive and vasodilator effects, which may help in lowering blood pressure. It may also have cardioprotective qualities. Endocrine and Reproductive Health: Used for promoting healthy production and maintenance of hormones. It is often cited for improving male sexual function (including issues like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation) and is studied for its potential effects on sexual function in post-menopausal women and conditions like Ovarian Cysts. Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective: Possesses properties that help protect the liver and kidneys from damage (Hepatoprotective activity and Nephroprotective). Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: Exhibits analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory effects, making it useful for conditions like Sularoga (painful conditions). Metabolic Effects: Shows promise in managing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which can be beneficial for those with conditions like Prameha (diabetes). Other Activities: Includes antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer activities, though human research in these areas is often limited.
Advantages
Natural Source: A plant-derived remedy, often considered an alternative or complement to synthetic drugs. Traditional Efficacy: Has a long, well-documented history of use in major traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for specific ailments, particularly genitourinary and sexual health. Wide Range of Benefits: Offers a broad spectrum of claimed benefits, from a diuretic and anti-urolithic agent to an aphrodisiac and general tonic. Accessible: Due to its widespread growth, it is a relatively accessible and cost-effective traditional medicine ingredient in many parts of the world, including Nepal.
Uses
Genitourinary System: Treatment of Mutrakruccha (dysuria or painful urination), Asmari (kidney/bladder stones), and general urinary tract health. Reproductive Health (Male): Used as an aphrodisiac, to improve libido, manage erectile dysfunction, and support sperm health and production. General Health: Employed as a general tonic to address Daurbalya (general weakness), as a blood purifier, and for addressing certain respiratory issues like Svasa (asthma) and Kasa (cough). Cardiology: Applied in conditions like Hrudroga (heart diseases) due to its purported benefits on blood pressure and heart function. Inflammatory Conditions: Used for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Food Supplements: Popularly marketed as a dietary supplement to bodybuilders and athletes, though scientific evidence for increasing testosterone or enhancing athletic performance in healthy humans remains mixed and inconclusive.
Using way
Parts Used: The most commonly used parts are the fruits (nutlets/burrs) and the roots. The whole herb, including the leaves, may also be used. Traditional Forms: Traditionally, it is consumed as a powder (churna) of the dried fruits or whole plant, a decoction (boiled extract), or an infusion. Modern Forms: It is widely available in the form of capsules, tablets, or standardized extracts, often concentrated for specific active components like steroidal saponins. Compound Formulations: In Ayurveda, it is frequently used as an ingredient in compound formulations like Chyawanprash or Gokshuradi Guggulu, where it is combined with other herbs to enhance or balance its effects. Dosage: Dosing varies significantly based on the preparation (raw powder vs. standardized extract) and the condition being treated. Typical doses in modern supplements range from 750 mg to 1500 mg daily of the extract for short periods (up to 90 days), but specific medical advice from a qualified practitioner (Ayurvedic or modern) should be sought before use.
Conclusion
Tribulus terrestris, or Gokshura, stands as a revered and scientifically-investigated herb in global traditional medicine, particularly in systems like Ayurveda, with a long history of use across India and Nepal. Its primary traditional applications center on its diuretic, anti-urolithic, and aphrodisiac properties, making it a key remedy for the genitourinary and male reproductive systems. While the spiky, distinctive fruit has given it a notoriety as a weed in some regions, its potent phytochemical profile, rich in steroidal saponins, underpins its continued use for vitality, sexual health, and cardiovascular support. Despite widespread marketing for testosterone boosting, which remains scientifically contested in human studies, its role in improving libido and managing certain urinary and renal ailments is more strongly supported by tradition and some preliminary research. As with all powerful medicinal herbs, professional guidance is necessary to ensure safe and appropriate utilization.
