Info on Tribulus Terrestris

Botanical Name: Tribulus terrestris.

Other Common Names:
Puncture vine, caltrop, goathead and cat's head.

Its name comes from the extreme sharp thorns that grows from the seed.

The Greek word, τρίβολος meaning 'water-chestnut', translated into Latin as tribulus. The Latin name tribulus originally meant the caltrop (a spiky weapon).

According to Bensky and Clavey, 2004 (Materia medica 3rd edition, pp. 975–976) Tribulus terrestris is ci ji li (刺蒺藜).

Tribulus terrestris has long been a constituent in tonics in Indian Ayurveda practice, where it is known by its Sanskrit name, "gokshura/ sarrata

Habitat:
Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia.

Plant Description:
Tribulus terrestris blooms with small lemon-yellow flowers containing only 5 petals.

It grows with multiple stems that spring out from one crown. It has pinnate leaves made of two rows of little leaflets (less than 6mm or a quarter-inch long), which are arranged opposite each other along the stem. The fruit appears a week after blooming; its seeds are firm and stiff and have two to three  sharp spines 10 mm long and 4-6mm broad point to point.
 
Plant Parts Used:

Its seeds are sharp and painful to step on, and its fresh leaves are toxic to livestock, especially sheep, when consumed in large quantities. The berries and aerial parts of Tribulus are the parts most often used in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments including colic, headache, nervous disorders, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.
Don’t eat the spine-covered fruit as it can cause a serious lung problem.

Uses:cause

The Tribulus berries and aerial parts contain a number of different substances including saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sterols, and essential oil. The steroidal saponins, including protodioscin, are considered the most active components.

The popularity of tribulus as an herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction might be because of its ability to relax smooth muscles and by this allowing greater blood flow to the genitals.

Tribulus is an effective aphrodisiac (substance to boost sexual desire). It has become popular herbal remedy to improve sexual stamina performance and libido.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Tribulus Terrestris should be taken with caution. Despite your reasons for seeking herbal remedies, it is advised that you discuss the supplement with your doctor before you begin taking a tribulus terrestris extract.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: 
Taking Tribulus Terrestris during pregnancy is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Animal research suggests Tribulus might harm fetal development. Not enough is known about the safety of using Tribulus during breast-feeding. It’s best NOT to use Tribulus if you are pregnant or nursing.

Prostate problems or prostate cancer: 
There is a concern that Tribulus might make prostate conditions such as Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) or prostate cancer worse. Developing research suggests that Tribulus can increase prostate weight.

Breast Cancer and other hormone-related conditions:
Avoid taking Tribulus if you have breast cancer or other hormone-related conditions as it can affect and cause an imbalance of hormone levels..

Surgery: 
Tribulus might affect blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Tribulus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

People suffering from ulcers, stomach inflammation, serious digestion or liver disorders:
Avoid this herbal as it might lead to severe gastro-intestinal upset.

People suffering from psychosis, schizophrenia, or phaeochromocytoma 
Avoid this herbal.

Children
Avoid this herbal.

Possible Interactions of Tribulus Terrestris:
Be cautious with this combination:

Lithium
Tribulus might have an effect like `diuretic'.  Tribulus might reduce Lithium excretion from the body. This could increase the Lithium level in the body and resulting in serious side effects. Consult your doctor before using this herbal if you are taking Lithium.

Other psychoactive medicines such as tranquillizers, sedatives, stimulants and antidepressants
Avoid concomitant use with this herbal.

Medications for diabetes (Anti diabetes drugs)
Tribulus might decrease blood sugar. As diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar, taking Tribulus along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar level becomes too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. Consult your doctor before using this herbal if you are diabetes.

Side Effects:
Side effects such as anxiety, agitation, restlessness and difficulty sleeping may occur with overdose. Photosensitivity reactions can occur due to the substance phylloerythrin (photosensitizing porphyrin) found in the plant.

Increased level of Testosterone might have an effect on rage, hair growth and prostate size.

Tribulus terrestris is extremely toxic to sheep. It can cause irreversible disorder in the brain, resulting in impaired muscle function and weakness in the hindquarters which can lead to death.

Tribulus supplements are POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for a short period of time. They have been used safely in research studies lasting up to 8 weeks. The long-term safety of Tribulus is unknown.
Most importantly, consult your doctor first before taking supplements containing Tribulus Terrestris.