Tribulus terestris, powder (1952)Scientific Name: Tribulus terrestris, Zygophyllaceae family Common Names: Puncture vine, caltrop, yellow vine, goathead, bindy eye, bindii, bullhead, burnut, cat's head, devil's thorn, doublegee, dubbeltje, gokshura, ground bur-nut, Mexican sandbur, puncture weed, gokshur. Parts used: fruit and root Active Compounds: Saponins: terrestrosin, dioscin, gracillin, kikuba saponin, protodioscin, neohecogenin glucoside and tribulosi, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, and essential oil. Background: Tribulus is currently gaining widespread interest for its many uses, particularly its action in improving sexual function. In Turkey it has been used for blood pressure and to lower cholesterol. It was used in ancient Greece to treat headache, nervousness, constipation, as a mood-enhancer, and for treating hormone imbalances and sexual dysfunction. Likely introduced on animals brought from Europe, puncturevine in America is most common in the Southwest. Arriving to California in the early years of the last century, Tribulus spread rapidly. In many areas it is considered an invasive, noxious weed. Proximity of the plant, with its spines and spiny fruits, poses many problems in agriculture, including injuries to livestock and to field-workers who perform hand-harvesting. It is known to cause contamination to seed, feed and fiber crops like cotton, and is problematic in the wool industry. The Latin name, tribulus, originally referenced its resemblance to the caltrop, a spiked weapon of antiquity. One of the names for the plant in India is Ikshugandha, for its aroma which resembles sugarcane. The entire plant, but especially the fruit and roots, are used. Applications: Diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, urinary antiseptic Used for centuries to treat liver function, kidney function, urinary tract and urinary stones, headache, cardiovascular system, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction, including impotence, low libido, male infertility and premature ejaculation. Increases testosterone levels by increasing lutenizing hormone (LH) in the body.One study of Tribulus in daily use in healthy subjects showed a reduction of PMS and negative effects of menopause such as hot flashes and nightsweats. Beneficial to treating conjunctivitis and weak vision. Helps build muscle tissue and increase muscle strength. Used for enhancing endurance, energy and vitality-- and to counter negative effects of aging. Description: This tap-rooted flowering plant grows wild throughout China, India, western parts of Asia, and southern parts of Europe and Africa, and in the United States. It grows prostrate with stems up to 2m long. Leaves are opposite, each consisting of 4 to 8 pairs of spear-shaped leaflets. Long hairs on leaf margins and lower surface. Stems are round and hairy. Flowers are yellow. Seeds enclosed in a woody, star-shaped structure 5 to 7 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide (carpels). Up to five seeds in each carpel, each seed 1.5 to 3 mm long, yellow. Each plant produces to 2000 seeds. Cotyledons are narrow, oval, hairless with round apex. Fruit is a woody burr about 1 cm in diameter with sharp spines to 6 mm long. Burr consists of 5 wedge-shaped segments. Each segment has 2 unequal pairs of spines. Genus Tribulus comprises nearly 20 species of creeping shrubs or herbs. T. terrestris is the most common. Dosage: Root powdered in capsules: 1,000 to 4,000 mg daily. Do not take on an emply stomach. An alternating cycle-of-use is suggested: Example: 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. Safety: More Bulk Herbs and Spices Information: Kava Kava
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