TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

Gokshura ...

Botanical Name Tribulus Terrestris
Common Names: Tribulus, Gokshura
Parts Used: Mainly the fruit

Introduction:

Tribulus is cooling, sweet and strengthening. It is common throughout India and found to be growing as weed along roadside and waste places.
Plant Description: Tribulus is a prostrate, annual herb grows upto 90 cm in length with paripinnate leaves. The flowers are small, yellowish, and solitary. The fruits of tribulus are typically five angled and spinous.

History:

The name "Gokshura" signifies "cow hoof" from its resemblance of the cocci when adhering together in pairs. It is also called "Ikshugandha" for its aroma which resembles the sugarcane.The entire plant but especially the fruit and roots are used in Ayurvedic formulations for Urinary disorders, calculus formation, impotence and other UTI issues.

Chemistry:

The fruits of Tribulus contain alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, essential oil, peroxidase, diastase and glucoside.

Action & Uses of Tribulus:
Tribulus is non-irritant diuretic and urinary antiseptic. It is used in case of dysurea, urinary stone and incontinence of urine.

Tribulus Terrestris is used in various herbal formulas to treat headaches, eye problems such as itching, conjunctivitis and weak vision, and nervousness. It is also used to treat high blood pressure and rib pain.

The hormone balancing effects of Tribulus Terrestris for women makes this herb suitable for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal syndrome.

Tribulus contains Sterols like betasitosterols or stigma. These substances protect the prostate from swelling and in combination with the X steroidal saponins, protect the prostate from cancer.
Tribulus is used in case of impotence and spermaturia as it helps to increase the level of the luteinizing hormone in the body and improved the synthesis of the testicular male sex hormone. So it is being aphrodisiac in nature.

References:
Jayaram, S., et. al. Indian Drugs. 30(10): 498-500, 1993.
Milanov, et. al. Farmatsiya. 37(6): 142, 1987.
Yan, W., et. al. Phytochemistry. 42(5): 1417-1422, 1996.
Traditionally use of Tribulus is found to be effective in case of gout.