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. Not much research is available regarding the use of tribulus for the above conditions. The primary use of tribulus terrestris today in the US is for the purposes of sexual enhancement. For information on natural ways to treat impotence. For more up to date tribulus research.

Tribulus supplement
Tribulus terrestris is a tropical vine common in sandy soil throughout India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Tribulus 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.

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

Click here to buy Tribulus discount and herbs that influence sexuality

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.

Effective sexual herbs
Additional herbs that have an influence on sexuality include: Ashwagandha herb, Catuaba herb, cnidium monnieri, coleus forskohlii, epimedium herb also known as Horny-Goat-Weed herb, Maca herb, Mucuna-Pruriens herb, Muira-Puama herb and tribulus..

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).
   For information on how to improve erectile dysfunction.

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.

Cancer
Screening of Some Saponins and Phenolic Components of Tribulus terrestris and Smilax excelsa as MDR Modulators.
In Vivo. 2009 Jul-Aug; Ivanova A, Serly J, Dinchev D, Ocsovszki I, Kostova I, Molnar J. D.Sc., Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Domter 10, Szeged 6720, Hungary.
Cytotoxic activity of saponins and phenolic compounds have been described in the literature, but no reports were found on their multidrug resistance (MDR)-modulating effects on human mdr1 gene-transfected mouse lymphoma cell line. Methylprototribestin, structurally related compounds and a mixture of 3 acetylated isomers of methylprotodioscin were investigated for antiproliferative effect and modulation of drug accumulation. Methylprototribestin was the most effective resistance modifier. However, methylprotodioscin, pseudoprotodioscin, prosapogenin A of dioscin, tribestin and 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid showed moderate MDR reversal activity. In a checkerboard method, methyloprototribestin and the mixture of the 3 acetylated isomers enhanced the antiproliferative effects on MDR cells in combination with doxorubicin. Based on these results, methylprototribestin and the mixture of the 3 acetylated isomers can be recommended for further in vivo experiments in combination with anthracyclines in human MDR-cancer xenograft transplanted mice.

Tribulus Research Update
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.

Sexual behavior 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.

Tribulus Emails
Q. If  tribulus terrestris  is  stopped  after  using  for  one  month,  is  there  any  type  of  side effect?
A. We are not aware of any side effects or problems if tribulus is stopped after one month of us.

Q. Does tribulus increase testosterone levels?
A. I have come across many websites that report tribulus increases testosterone levels but I have not come any clear research that supports this. Perhaps tribulus does raise levels of testosterone but at this point I'm not sure. And even if it does, I don't know whether it would do so consistently if tribulus is taken for prolonged periods.

Q. Can tribulus  be combined with other herbs such as yohimbe, maca, or hormy goat weed?
A. I can only speak from my personal and professional experience. Thus far I have combined tribulus with several herbs and have not found any significant side effects.

Q. Does tribulus give more energy?
A. Tribulus has some energy boosting abilities, as do ginseng, cordyceps, maca, and tongkat ali.

Q. Can tribulus be taken regularly for many months?
A. As with most herbs, I recommend taking breaks from use. In the case of tribulus you could take it for 1 or 2 weeks on, 1 or 2 weeks off.

Q. How long after I start taking tribulus terrestris should I expect results?
A. Everyone is different, but on average most people would notice the benefits from tribulus on the third or fourth day of use. It also depends on dosage. If you tribulus dosage is low, it may take a couple of days more.

Q. How many different types of Tribulus extracts are available?
A. The ones I have seen are the following: Tribulus terrestris powder, Tribulus 40% extract. They may be other tribulus extracts but I'm not up to date on them yet.

Q. Can tribulus and arginine be used together?
   A. There does not seem to be a contraindication for the use of tribulus and arginine.

Q. I took tribulus terrestris one time it work very good for what it was for ..lol but it my hair start to fall out do you know way .?? and would tongkat ali LJ100 do that same thing to me ??
   A. We have never heard of tribulus making hair fall out, but human research is lacking in this area. Tongkat ali can influence testosterone although again we have never heard it influence hair growth or loss. You may consider Passion Rx.

Q.  My wife and I are planning on trying to become pregnant in about 6 months is I take tribulas for about a month and than go off of it for about 4 or 5 months, do you think that could cause any problems with the pregnancy.
   A. We have not seen any research regarding the use of tribulus terrestris before pregnancy, however it seems highly unlikely that a problem would arise if the use of an herb is stopped so much time in advance. But, there is still much unknown about the role of herbs and their influence on hormone levels or other aspects of the body.

Q. Does tribulus terrestre really work for sex?
   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 terrrestre 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 terrestre 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.

Q. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that Herba Tribilus Terrestris is growing in Republic of Macedonia and we are organizing gathering, drying and preparing for the transport of it ( at the moment we have about 2 tones dry herb on stock, rest from last season). If you have any interest for buying Tribulus Terrestris from Republic of Macedonia now or in the future, please contact us on our mail. UNIMEKS Skopje, R. Macedonia, Lisickov Delco.

Q. Of the two products, tribulus and tongkat, which would be the best for elevating free testosterone?
   A. We are not aware of studies that have compared the two. There is also debate in the scientific community how or if they influence testosterone in humans to any significant degree.

Q.  I have read that tribulus and tongkat ali products need ‘cycling’...eight weeks on and two weeks off...to prevent hormonal or immune suppression.
   A. Tribulus terrestris herb and tongkat ali herb are potent and should be used with caution with frequent breaks.

Q. I have read that increasing testosterone will increase DHT. For those of us for whom minoxidil and or propecia is ineffective, will increased baldness result?

Q. Would it be okay to take tribulus while taking anxiety medication such as clonazepam for night anxiety?
   A. Each person responds differently to combinations of herbs and medications and we can't give specific advice.

Q. May I ask what the chemical formula and/or structure of Tribulus 45 is? I am a biochemist (who had Activa dbs surgery for Parkinson's in January 2008), and just ordered Mucuna Pruriens as a natural alternative to the Sinemet I am taking. Both me and my doctor want me to cut down on the Sinemet, ...(but for different reasons! ) I noticed that Tribulus 45 is recommended as an Levo-dopa uptake enhancer. Could you send me any info on the enzymatic mechanism biometabolism of the product, as well as the chemical formula? Does the Tribulus have the same effect as Carbidopa that is coadministered with levo-dopa? Does it leave an unpleasant odor like the hydrazine component of the carbidopa?
   A. We are not familiar with Tribulus 45, you may wish to ask the company who makes this product. As far as tribulus herb itself, we are not aware of it being used for Parkinson's disease. The fruits of tribulus contain a number of different substances including saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, and essential oil. Mucuna pruriens has been studied much more for Parkinson's disease.