Tribulus, Caltrop, Ci Ji Li 刺蒺藜

Tribulus, Caltrop, Devil’s Thorn
Ci Ji Li (TCM)
Gokhru, Goksuradi (Ayurveda)
Nerunci Mul (Siddha)
Hasak (Unani)
Gze Ma  གཟེ་མ།  (Tibetan)
 Picture Picture
Picture Tribulus terrestris
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Picture Tribulus terrestris
Bulliard, Flora Parisiensis, 1776-1781

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Botanical name:


Tribulus terrestris

Parts used:


Seed

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral (Warm). Bitter, Pungent

Classifications:


3I. APHRODISIACS
I. Medicines for Internal Wind
N. Tonics

Uses:


1. Benefits Kidney Yang: (Ayurveda, Unani)
-‘stimulates Sexual Desire’. (Avicenna)
-Impotence, Spermatorrhea, Premature Ejaculation (Ayurveda)
-low Libido, poor Sperm Quality or Low Sperm Count; used in various modern formulas as an Aphrodisiac.
-Diabetes (Tibetan Medicine)
    
2. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine, Resolves Stones: (Ayurveda, Unani)
-Edema, water retention
-Cystitis, blood in the Urine, Dysuria, burning Urine;
-Urinary Calculi; Gout. (Ayurveda)

3. Moves the Liver Qi, Resolves Stasis: (Ayurveda, TCM)
-pain and distention of the Liver area, chest or flanks
-Uterine disorders (Ayurveda)
-‘good for removing blood stasis, dissolving hard mass’ (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

4. Calms Internal Wind: (Ayurveda, TCM)
-rising Liver wind with symptoms such as Headache, Dizziness and Hypertension and other similar Wind disorders (TCM)
-Heart disorders coming from Wind such as Palpitations and Angina Pectoris. (Ayurveda)
-also for Asthma in Ayurveda

5. Stops Wind, Relieves Itching: (Ayurveda, TCM)
-various types of skin disease with marked itching
-Dermatitis, Hives, Scabies, Vitiligo etc.

6. Clears Heat, Benefits the Eyes:
-various eye conditions with Red, Itchy, Swollen or Painful eyes. (TCM)
 
7. Resists Poison: (Ayurveda, Unani)
-“Commended against Poisons, and restores those who are bitten by Serpents” (Pharmacopoeia Universalis, R. James, M.D., London, 1743);
-“Two dirham (7 gm) of wild hasak is useful in Snake Bite and dose of two dirham (7 gm) with wine is useful in Fatal poisoning”. (Avicenna)
-Used for Scorpion stings in Ayurveda.

8. Promotes Milk:
-insufficient Breast milk due to sluggish Liver Qi

9. Kills Worms:
-It has been used for Worms in Ayurveda.

10. Externally:
-ash of the whole plant is used externally in Rheumatic Arthritis.
-“Used with Honey, it proves useful in Foul Ulcers”. (Avicenna)
-putrid ulcers of the Gums (Avicenna)


Dose:


Powder: 2–4 grams

Preparation:


… available in PRO version

Corrective:


… available in PRO version

Substitute:


… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


Urinary:
1. Dysuria, suppressed Urine:
i. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iv. Urinary retention, dysuria, stones, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
v. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
2. Urinary Tract Infection, Burning Urine:
i. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
iii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
3. Edema:
i. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
iii. from Kidney weakness, Tribulus, … available in PRO version
4. Gravel, Stones:
i.. burning urine and Stones, Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. an injection is prepared from Tribulus … available in PRO version
5. Diabetes, and to regulate Blood Sugar (especially Phlegm types) Tribulus, … available in PRO version

Reproductive:
5. Impotence, Aphrodisiac:
i. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iv. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
v. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
vi. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
vii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
viii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ix. and to increase Virility, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
6. Premature Ejaculation, Spermatorrhea:
i. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
7. Seminal Debility:
i. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
8. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Prostatitis:
i. Shilajit with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
9. Female Debility:
i. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. to increase female strength and beauty, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
10. Leukorrhea, Urinary disorders with Weakness Tribulus seed with … available in PRO version
11. Infertility, Female debility, Postpartum to strengthen the Uterus, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
12. Infertility:
i. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
13. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
i. Tribulus, … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus … available in PRO version
14. To promote Breast Milk:
i. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
15. Swollen painful Breast abscess, Tribulus with … available in PRO version

Other:
16. Skin Itchiness and Inflammation:
i. Tribulus seed with … available in PRO version
ii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
iii. Tribulus with … available in PRO version
17. Eczema, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
18. Anxiety and Depression, Tribulus with … available in PRO version
19. Nervous disorders, with … available in PRO version
20. Parkinsonism, Tribulus with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Powder of Tribulus (Goksuradi Churna) (Ayurveda)
Tribulus 3 Decoction (Gze ma gsum thang) (Tibetan Medicine)
Turmeric Decoction 4 (Yung ba 4) (Tibetan Medicine)
Emblic 6 (Kyu ru duk pa) (Tibetan Medicine)
Chebula 18 for Urinary Incontinence (Gcin snyi a ru 18) (Tibetan Medicine)
Dhatuvallabha Churna (Ayurveda)
Possessor of Ruby Color (Pad rag mdog ldan) (Tibetan Medicine)
Mandala of the Sun (Se bru nye dkyil) (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:


1. Not used in Pregnancy
2. Not used in marked Qi and Blood deficiency

Main Preparations used:



‘This plant is the Gokshuri and Ikshu-gandha of Sanskrit writers. The Hindus use the fruit and sometimes the whole plant; they regard it as having cooling, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac properties, and use it in gonorrhoea and dysuria; it is one of the ten plants which go to form the Dasamula Kvatha, a compound decoction often mentioned in Sanskrit works. The ten plants are Desinodium gangeticum, Uraria lagopodioides, Solanum jacquini, Solanum Indicum, Tribulus terrestris, Aegle marmelos, Calosathes Indica, Gmelina arborea, Stereospermum suaveolens, and Premna spinosa. The first five of these are called Hrasva pancha inula, or the
five minor plants, and the last five, Vrihat pancha mula, or the five major plants.

T. terrestris is the Khasak or Hasak of the Arabs and Persians; it is well described by Ainslie, who says:—”It is a common plant near the Dardanelles, and is called in modern Greek [?]. Dioscorides calls it [?] and Pliny tribulus; they both describe two kinds, ‘terrestris‘ and ‘aquaticus.’ The latter is the Trapa natans, Linn., or Water Chestnut.* In the Pharmacopoeia of India its use as a diuretic in Southern India is noticed.’ (Vegetable Materia Medica of Western India, Dymock, 1885)
1. GENERAL REVIEW:
–A review of traditional pharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Tribulus terrestris.
–Steroidal saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

2. EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL PROCESSING:
–Comparative Physicochemical Evaluation of Kharekhasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) Before and After Mudabbar Process.

3. ANTI-BACTERIAL:
–Antibacterial activity of Tribulus terrestris and its synergistic effect with Capsella bursa-pastoris and Glycyrrhiza glabra against oral pathogens: an in-vitro study.
–Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Iraq.

4. ANTI-FUNGAL:
–Antibacterial and antifungal activities of different parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Iraq.
–In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. with potent activity against fluconazole-resistant fungal pathogens.
–Antifungal activities and action mechanisms of compounds from Tribulus terrestris L.

5. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
–Chromatographic finger print analysis of anti-inflammatory active extract fractions of aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris by HPTLC technique.

6. ANTI-OXIDANT:
–Chemical constituents from Tribulus terrestris and screening of their antioxidant activity.

7. ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION:
–Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with late-onset hypogonadism: A placebo-controlled study.
–[Results of a comparative multi-center randomized clinical study of efficacy and safety of EFFEX Tribulus and Tribestan in patients with erectile dysfunction].
–Herbal Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
–Pro-sexual and androgen enhancing effects of Tribulus terrestris L.: Fact or Fiction.
–Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A prospective, randomized, double blind study.
–Effects and Mechanism of Action of a Tribulus terrestris Extract on Penile Erection.
–In vivo and in vitro animal investigation of the effect of a mixture of herbal extracts from Tribulus terrestris and Cornus officinalis on penile erection.
–The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction–an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat.

8. APHRODISIAC:
–Evaluation of the aphrodisiac activity of Tribulus terrestris Linn. in sexually sluggish male albino rats.
–Ethnopharmacological studies of Tribulus terrestris (Linn). in relation to its aphrodisiac properties.
–Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model.
–Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.

9. INCREASES TESTOSTERONE:
–Prospective Analysis on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Semen Parameters in Males with Unexplained Infertility.
–Pro-sexual and androgen enhancing effects of Tribulus terrestris L.: Fact or Fiction.
–Dietary Adjuncts for Improving Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Males.
–Pilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM).
–Free serum testosterone level in male rats treated with Tribulus alatus extracts

10. ANTI-ANDROGENIC EFFECT:
–Anti-Androgenic Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC and Tribulus terrestris L. and Their Beneficial Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Induced Rat Models.

11. MALE INFERTILITY:
–Role of Tribulus terrestris in Male Infertility: Is It Real or Fiction?

12. INCREASES SPERM COUNT AND MOTILITY:
–Effect of oral administration of Tribulus terrestris extract on semen quality and body fat index of infertile men.
–Prospective Analysis on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Semen Parameters in Males with Unexplained Infertility.
–Clinical study of Tribulus terrestris Linn. in Oligozoospermia: A double blind study.

13. TESTICULAR-PROTECTIVE EFFECT:
–Assessment of protective and anti-oxidant properties of Tribulus terrestris fruits against testicular toxicity in rats.
–Protective effect of an aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris Linn on cadmium-induced testicular damage.

14. BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA:
–Comparison of Murraya koenigii- and Tribulus terrestris-based oral formulation versus tamsulosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men aged 50 years: a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial.
 15. PROSTATE CANCER:
–Terrestrosin D, a steroidal saponin from Tribulus terrestris L., inhibits growth and angiogenesis of human prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo.

16. FEMALE HYPOACTIVE SEX DESIRE:
–Efficacy of Tribulus Terrestris for the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
–Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
–Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women.
–Clinical Assessment of Tribulus terrestris Extract in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction.
–Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo – controlled study.

17. LOWERS BODY FAT INDEX SIGNIFICANTLY:
–Effect of oral administration of Tribulus terrestris extract on semen quality and body fat index of infertile men.

18. RENOPROTECTIVE EFFECT:
–Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Renoprotective Effect of Tribulus terrestris against Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy in Rats.
–Protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of tribulus terrestris on Cisplatin induced renal tissue damage in male mice.
–Protective effects of Tribulus terrestris L extract against acute kidney injury induced by reperfusion injury in rats.
–Protective effect of Tribulus terrestris linn on liver and kidney in cadmium intoxicated rats.
–Role of Tribulus terrestris (Linn.) (Zygophyllacea) against mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxicity in mice, Mus musculus (Linn.).

19. KIDNEY CANCER:
–[Experimental study of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on renal carcinoma cell line].

20. HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT:
–Hepatoprotective activity of Tribulus terrestris extract against acetaminophen-induced toxicity in a freshwater fish (Oreochromis mossambicus).

21. LIVER CANCER:
–Aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris Linn induces cell growth arrest and apoptosis by down-regulating NF-κB signaling in liver cancer cells.
–[Investigation on inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on hepatoma cell line BEL-7402].

22. BREAST CANCER:
–[The inhibitory effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on Bcap-37 breast cancer cell line in vitro].

23. VASODILATOR / ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE:
–Antihypertensive and vasodilator effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris in rats.
–Study of antihypertensive mechanism of Tribulus terrestris in 2K1C hypertensive rats: role of tissue ACE activity.

24. VASCULAR PROTECTIVE EFFECT:
–Vascular protective effects of aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris on hypertensive endothelial injury.

25. ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC:
–Cellular and molecular mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells by which total saponin extracted from Tribulus terrestris protects against artherosclerosis.

26. ANTI-DEPRESSANT, ANTI-ANXIETY:
–Effect of tribulus terrestris saponins on behavior and neuroendocrine in chronic mild stress depression rats.
–Evaluation of anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity of Rasayana Ghana Tablet (A compound Ayurvedic formulation) in albino mice.

27. EFFECT ON DERMATITIS:
–Effects of the Fruit Extract of Tribulus terrestris on Skin Inflammation in Mice with Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis through Regulation of Calcium Channels, Orai-1 and TRPV3, and Mast Cell Activation.

28. DIABETES:
–The protective effect of Tribulus terrestris in diabetes.
–[Hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris].

29. POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS):
–Combined Lifestyle and Herbal Medicine in Overweight Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Randomized Controlled Trial.
–Anti-Androgenic Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC and Tribulus terrestris L. and Their Beneficial Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Induced Rat Models.
–Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings.
–Alternative treatment of ovarian cysts with Tribulus terrestris extract: a rat model.