☯ TCM Properties
Calms the Liver and anchors Yang; Dredges Liver Qi and disperses Stagnation and clumping; Dispels Wind-Heat and b rightens the eyes; Dispels Wind and s tops itching; Extinguishes Liver Wind
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Ji Li (Fructus Tribuli), the fruit of Tribulus terrestris, is pungent, bitter and neutral and enters the Liver (and Lung) channels among the Liver-Wind-extinguishing substances. Its core action is to pacify the Liver and anchor ascendant Yang, treating headache, dizziness and vertigo from rising Liver Yang. It also spreads constrained Liver Qi to relieve chest and flank distension, breast pain and insufficient lactation, and it dispels Wind to brighten the eyes, being widely used for red, swollen, painful eyes and superficial visual obstructions from Liver-channel Wind-Heat.
Additionally it dispels Wind to stop itching in skin disorders such as urticaria and pruritus, often with a Blood-deficiency component. Classic pairings include Ju Hua and Man Jing Zi for the eyes, and Gou Teng or Ju Hua for Liver Yang headache. It is generally used cautiously in pregnancy and in Qi/Blood deficiency.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Tribulus terrestris is a prostrate, mat-forming annual herb of the Zygophyllaceae, widespread across temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and naturalised elsewhere. The hairy, branching stems radiate from a slender taproot, bearing opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 5–8 pairs of small oblong leaflets. Solitary yellow, five-petalled flowers about 8–12 mm across arise in the leaf axils through summer. The distinctive fruit is a hard schizocarp that splits at maturity into five woody, wedge-shaped mericarps, each armed with two stout divergent spines — the source of the common names 'puncture vine' and 'goat's-head'. The plant favors dry, sandy, disturbed ground. The dried mature fruit is the medicinal organ in both Chinese and Ayurvedic pharmacopoeias.
Active Constituents
Protodioscin
Furostanol steroidal saponinConcentration: Chief saponin; standardized extracts target ~45% of the furostanol fraction (European chemotype)
The principal marker saponin, associated with pro-sexual, aphrodisiac and nitric-oxide-mediated vasodilatory effects, and used as the standardization reference for many Tribulus products.
Dioscin
Spirostanol steroidal saponinConcentration: Minor-to-moderate saponin
A spirostanol saponin with reported hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and antitumor activity in experimental studies.
Terrestrosins (e.g., terrestrosin A and E)
Steroidal saponinsConcentration: Characteristic saponins of the fruit
A group of steroidal saponins specific to Tribulus terrestris that contribute to its antioxidant, cardiovascular and antiproliferative activities.
Tribulosin
Spirostanol saponinConcentration: Minor saponin
Shows cardioprotective activity (protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury via PKC-epsilon signalling) in experimental models.
Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin and their glycosides)
Flavonol glycosidesConcentration: Common phenolic constituents of the fruit
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids that contribute to the herb's free-radical scavenging, vasoprotective and eye-brightening traditional actions.
Harmane / harmine-type β-carboline alkaloids
Indole (β-carboline) alkaloidsConcentration: Minor alkaloids, higher in aerial parts than fruit
β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting and neuroactive properties; they are also implicated in the neurotoxicity (staggers) seen in grazing livestock, a note of caution for high doses.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Antidiabetic drugs (insulin, sulfonylureas, metformin)
Tribulus saponins show blood-glucose-lowering activity in animal models, which could add to the effect of antidiabetic drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose if used with antidiabetic therapy and adjust dosing as needed.
Antihypertensive drugs
Tribulus has demonstrated diuretic and mild vasodilatory (nitric-oxide-mediated) effects, which could theoretically add to the action of antihypertensive medications.
Clinical note: Monitor blood pressure when combined with antihypertensive drugs.
Lithium
The diuretic activity of Tribulus could reduce lithium clearance and raise serum lithium levels, increasing the risk of lithium toxicity.
Clinical note: Avoid or monitor lithium levels closely if Tribulus is used concurrently.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (Tang), often stir-fried
Parts: fruit
Typical dose 6-9 g of the dried fruit, decocted in water. The spines are commonly removed and the fruit stir-fried (chao) before use to moderate its dispersing nature; used for liver-yang headache, dizziness, red eyes and itchy skin.
Standardized extract
Parts: fruit, aerial parts
Modern products are standardized to furostanol saponins (protodioscin); trial doses were around 750-1500 mg/day of extract in divided doses after meals for libido and sexual-function support.
Clinical Studies
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction—A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
180 men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (with or without hypoactive sexual desire) received a standardized Tribulus terrestris extract (Tribestan) or placebo for 12 weeks. Significant improvement in sexual function was seen with Tribulus versus placebo, with no difference in adverse events between groups.
A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Properties of Tribulus terrestris L.
Reviews the steroidal saponins (notably protodioscin), flavonoids and alkaloids of Tribulus terrestris and its antidiabetic, antioxidant, cardioprotective, aphrodisiac and hepatoprotective activities, along with toxicological considerations including β-carboline-related neurotoxicity.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
c. 200 CE, Han DynastyBen Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
1578 CE, Ming DynastyReferences
- Kamenov Z, Fileva S, Kalinov K, Jannini EA. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction—A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial . Maturitas (2017) [DOI]
- Ștefănescu R, Tero-Vescan A, Negroiu A, Aurică E, Vari CE. A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Properties of Tribulus terrestris L. . Biomolecules (2020) [DOI]
- Bensky D, Clavey S, Stoger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd Edition (Bai Ji Li / Ci Ji Li) . Eastland Press (2004) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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