Ji Li
StarTribulus terrestris L.
☯ TCM Properties
Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang; Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint; Dispels Wind and Brightens the Eyes; Relieves Itching; Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ji Li (tribulus fruit) is a warm-neutral herb used in Chinese medicine to dispel Wind and clear Heat from the Liver, smooth the flow of Liver Qi, and anchor rising Liver Yang. Its primary applications are for Wind-Heat eye conditions with red, itchy, swollen eyes; headache and dizziness from Liver Yang rising; and skin conditions from Wind. Its secondary Qi-moving action relieves hypochondriac pain and the emotional tension of Liver stagnation. It is a mild, versatile herb for Liver-Wind and Liver-Heat patterns.
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
The Navajo-Kayenta used Tribulus terrestris ceremonially as a Life Medicine, an emetic and ceremonial purgative rather than for specific symptomatic treatment (Wyman & Harris 1951, recorded in NAEB).
Botanical Description
Tribulus terrestris is a low-growing, mat-forming annual herb in the Zygophyllaceae family, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and now widely naturalized. The trailing stems radiate from a central taproot and reach 10-60 cm long, bearing opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 5-8 pairs of small oblong leaflets covered in fine silky hairs. Solitary yellow five-petalled flowers about 1 cm across appear in leaf axils from spring through autumn. The distinctive fruit is a hard schizocarp that splits into five spiny, woody nutlets, each armed with two sharp divergent spines that easily puncture skin and tires, giving the plant its common names puncture vine and caltrop. Both fruit and whole herb are used medicinally.
Active Constituents
Protodioscin
Furostanol steroidal saponinConcentration: highly variable by origin; the dominant saponin in fruit (Bulgarian/Balkan material rich, Indian/Vietnamese material often low or absent)
The principal pharmacologically active saponin. Associated with pro-sexual, aphrodisiac and putative androgen-modulating effects, endothelial nitric-oxide and DHEA-related mechanisms; used as the marker compound for standardized Tribulus (Tribestan) extracts.
Protogracillin and prototribestin
Furostanol steroidal saponinsConcentration: minor to moderate; prototribestin found mainly in Balkan/Mediterranean/Iranian material
Co-occurring furostanol saponins contributing to the total saponin activity and used alongside protodioscin as chemotaxonomic and quality markers.
Dioscin and tribulosin (terrestrinins)
Spirostanol steroidal saponinsConcentration: minor
Spirostanol-type saponins reported to contribute to cardioprotective, anti-ischemic and cytotoxic activities described in preclinical studies.
Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin and their glycosides)
Flavonol glycosidesConcentration: moderate in fruit and aerial parts
Provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant activity and contribute to the herb's traditional use for calming Liver-yang and brightening the eyes.
beta-Carboline alkaloids (harman, harmine, norharman)
Indole (beta-carboline) alkaloidsConcentration: low; higher in aerial parts than fruit
Present mainly in the herb/leaf. Implicated in the neurotoxic 'staggers' syndrome seen in grazing livestock and in reported MAO-related and neurological effects; a reason to avoid high or prolonged dosing.
Terrestriamide / terrestribisamide (phenolic amides)
Phenolic amide (aromatic amide)Concentration: trace
Minor amide constituents with reported antioxidant activity isolated from the fruit; not major contributors to the traditional actions.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Antidiabetic drugs (insulin, sulfonylureas, metformin)
Tribulus extracts have hypoglycemic activity in animal and some human data. Combined with glucose-lowering drugs this may produce additive reduction in blood glucose.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose in diabetic patients; watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
Digoxin and other cardiac / antihypertensive drugs (beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors)
Tribulus shows ACE-inhibitory and mild diuretic activity and may have positive inotropic/cardiac effects, so it can add to the effect of cardiovascular medicines and alter blood pressure or heart rate.
Clinical note: Avoid or supervise use with digoxin and cardiovascular medications; monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
Lithium
A diuretic effect from Tribulus could reduce lithium clearance and raise serum lithium to toxic levels, as with other herbal diuretics.
Clinical note: Monitor lithium levels if co-administered.
Clopidogrel and antiplatelet therapy
Stent thrombosis was reported in a patient using clopidogrel together with an herbal formula containing Tribulus, raising concern that the herb may interfere with antiplatelet protection.
Clinical note: Avoid in patients on antiplatelet therapy after stenting until better data exist.
P-glycoprotein and CYP substrate drugs
Tribulus saponins inhibit P-glycoprotein in vitro, which could raise plasma levels of P-gp substrate drugs.
Clinical note: Clinical relevance unconfirmed; consider with narrow-therapeutic-index P-gp substrates.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction
Parts: Fruit
Standard adult dose is about 6-9 g (up to 15 g) of the dried fruit, decocted in water. The hard spiny fruits are usually crushed or broken before decocting to release the active constituents.
Dry-fried (chao Ji Li) / de-spined fruit
Parts: Fruit
The fruit is commonly stir-fried until slightly yellow and the sharp spines removed to reduce irritation and moderate the dispersing action; the fried form is preferred when the herb is used to calm the Liver and settle ascendant Yang.
Powder or standardized extract
Parts: Fruit
Powdered fruit or saponin-standardized extracts (marked on protodioscin content) are used in pills and capsules. Avoid in pregnancy; use cautiously in people with low blood pressure, on antidiabetic or cardiovascular drugs, and avoid high-dose aerial-part material because of beta-carboline alkaloid toxicity.
Clinical Studies
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction - A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
In 180 men with erectile dysfunction (with or without hypoactive sexual desire disorder), a standardized T. terrestris extract (Tribestan) significantly improved IIEF total and domain scores compared with placebo over 12 weeks, and was well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events.
Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Forty-five postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder received 750 mg/day T. terrestris or placebo for 120 days. The treated group showed significant improvement in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction (FSFI) and a rise in free testosterone, with few side effects.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of Materia Medica)
Han dynasty, c. 200 CEBen Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1578References
- Stefanescu R, Tero-Vescan A, Negroiu A, Aurica E, Vari CE. A Comprehensive Review of the Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Properties of Tribulus terrestris L. . Biomolecules 10(5):752 (2020) [DOI]
- Dinchev D, Janda B, Evstatieva L, Oleszek W, Aslani MR, Kostova I. Distribution of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris from different geographical regions . Phytochemistry 69(1):176-186 (2008) [DOI]
- Kostova I, Dinchev D. Saponins in Tribulus terrestris - chemistry and bioactivity . Phytochemistry Reviews 4:111-137 (2005) [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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Ji Li.
No notes yet.