Tribulus, also known as tribulus terrestris, caltrop and puncture vine, is a wild-growing weed that has long been used in Chinese medicine and in other natural medicinal systems, according to "The Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements" by Shawn M. Talbott and Kerry Hughes. Indicated by natural medicine advocates for sexual enhancement and as an energy booster, the herb does pose some potential side effects.
Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia is the clinical term for a condition characterized by abnormal breast enlargement in males. While not a significant risk in accordance with tribulus use, there is one well-documented case of gynaecomastia that occurred in a teenage weight-trainer who used the herb as a body building supplement, according to the National Institutes of Health. The case study, published in the October 2004 issue of a Scottish breast health medical journal called "Breast," explains that the patient used the herbal supplement as an alternative to androgenic-anabolic steroids, which also tend to induce gynaecomastia.
Stomach Discomfort
Clinical trial testing into the efficacy and side effects of tribulus are few, but one of the more common side effects cited in anecdotal evidence, according to "The Herb Book: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to More Than 500 Herbs" by John B. Lust, is stomach discomfort. This may be accompanied by flatulence and bad breath. This side effect may be minimized by taking tribulus supplements with a full meal and plenty of liquids.
Diuretic Effect
According to Talbott and Hughes, tribulus supplements also have diuretic properties. This may cause a significant increase in the rate of urination, but more importantly, it can put the user at risk of dehydration if proper precautions are not taken. If you take this herb in any form for sexual enhancement or any other purpose, it is even more important that you remain well-hydrated for twelve hours per ingestion of 500 mg.
Sexual Effects
Because tribulus is sometimes taken by those seeking an increase in energy or enhanced athletic performance, users might not be aware of its potential sexual effects. Generally considered to be among its intended effects, tribulus may increase libido and actually make men more potent, according to Talbott and Hughes. The authors cite a Russian study published in 2000 that resulted in measurable fertility improvement among infertile couples, and an Indonesian study published in 1996 in which seven out of 36 fertility-compromised men who successfully completed treatment conceived children with their wives. If you're taking tribulus for other reasons and are not trying to enhance your fertility, you should be aware of this potential effect and plan accordingly.
References
- "The Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements"; Shawn M. Talbott, Kerry Hughes; 2007
- National Institutes of Health: Gynaecomastia and the plant product "Tribulis terrestris".
- "The Herb Book: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to More Than 500 Herbs"; John B. Lust; 2001
- Supplement Watch: Tribulus
- United States National Library of Medicine: Tribulus
