Tribulus Terrestris Supplements

Tribulus terrestris, commonly referred to as puncture vine, is a flowering plant found throughout the United States and Southern Canada. The flowers, fruits, leaves and stems are used medicinally in folk medicine to enhance sexual performance in men. Supplements of tribulus are also used for a variety of health-promoting purposes; however, as with any supplement, you should talk to your health care practitioner before self-medication with tribulus.

Nutritional Profile and Active Ingredient

Tribulus is nutrient dense, and it contains amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamin C and the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium. It also contains numerous phytochemicals including rutin, beta-sitosterol, saponins and quercetin. Phytochemicals are potent antioxidant compounds found naturally in plants that scavenge free radicals in the body and thereby help to prevent and treat disease in humans. The primary active ingredient in tribulus is thought to be the phytochemical saponins, which is also referred to as furostanol.

List of Uses

According to nutritionist Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," tribulus supplements are used to help enhance the immune system, and tribulus has antimicrobial properties, meaning it helps to prevent and treat illnesses caused by harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Tribulus also has anti-inflammatory properties, and folk medicine uses it as a general tonic to revitalize the liver, kidneys and urinary tract, and to enhance energy and vitality. These uses are based primarily on anecdotal reports and not solid scientific evidence, however.

Sexual Enhancement and Weight Gain

Tribulus stimulates the production of, and helps to balance, male and female hormones. Due to its effect on hormones, tribulus has been traditionally used to build muscles, promote weight gain, increase stamina, strength and endurance and to improve sexual function in men. The April 9, 2003, edition of "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" cited a study done on rats that evaluated the efficacy of tribulus for weight gain and sexual enhancement. The study found that tribulus increased the levels of androgens, which is the family of steroidal hormones that testosterone belongs to. Due to its effect on androgens the rats experienced weight gain and an improvement in sexual desire and function. More research needs to be done to confirm the usefulness of tribulus for these purposes in humans, however.

Additional Information and Precautions

Tribulus supplements are available in tincture, extract, capsule and tablet form. A typical dose is 250 to 1,500 mg per day, and for the best results choose a supplement that is standardized to contain at least 30 percent to 45 percent steroidal saponins, Iron Magazine advises, adding that that tribulus supplements are considered safe when taken according to the instructions on the label. However, extremely large doses taken for several months have been found to cause muscle discoordination, neurological disease and an irreversible weakness of the hindlimbs in animals.