Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is an herb that grows like a weed on all continents, including outback Australia, where it was probably brought in with camels in the 19th century, and spread as they went feral, carrying the seed tangled in their woolly coats.
Also known as puncture vine because of its lethal thorns that can puncture bicycle tyres, it’s been used for better sexual health in both men and women in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicines since Adam was a boy.
Now it seems the modern world is catching up with the benefits Tribulus offers in strengthening erections and sperm production, boosting immunity and liver function, increasing fertility, and easing menopause symptoms.
Tribulus Research – What it Shows
Although some scientific research has been done, much of the evidence for Tribulus Terrestris as a sexual health treatment is based on personal experience.
A lot of the recent human research was done in Eastern Europe in the 1970s to establish a patent for a particular Bulgarian product Tribestan, with the active saponens protodioscin. (1 & 2)
While these studies have been criticised as lacking in rigor, and are not available on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information Pub.Med database, they established the active saponens in Tribulus boosted testosterone levels in older men, and eased hot flushes in menopausal women.
Bulgarian grown Tribulus has made claims to being “the best and only,” but the effective use of the herb in traditional medicine and throughout Asia and North America supports the view that tribulus from other regions is also a beneficial supplement for erection problems.
How Tribulus Benefits Sexual Health
One way Tribulus may work is to increase hormonal output from the pituitary gland. In men the amount of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is increased, which stimulates the testes to increase levels of the male hormone testosterone. In women Tribulus seems to stimulate the Follicle Stimulating Hormone, (FSH) producing more estrogen and progesterone, helping with menopause and PMS symptoms
Men who had been unable to achieve an erection or were experiencing low sex drive showed significant improvement from taking Tribulus Terrestris extract, with healthy men aged 28 to 45 showing a 30%+ increase in testosterone after five days of taking a 250mg capsule of Tribulus Terrestris three times a day. (3)
Amongst menopausal women, Tribulus was found to be 90 per cent effective in relieving symptoms of hormonal imbalance like hot flashes, insomnia, and low libido. (4)
Several animal studies have helped provide evidence that Tribulus increases testosterone levels. (5,6,7,8) For example, one of several studies by K. Gauthaman (January 2008) showed Tribulus increases testosterone levels, thus increasing sex drive in primates, rabbits and rats. He concluded that the herb "may be useful in mild to moderate cases of ED." (7)
Balance Hormone Levels with Tribulus Terrestris
While Tribulus Terrestris supports and assists the body’s natural production of testosterone and progesterone it should be clearly understood tribulus terrestris is not a hormone supplement. By promoting production of the body’s own hormones, it works only within the body’s natural limits to help men and women achieve better sexual health.
Tribulus May Increase Blood Flow to Genitals
A second possible way for tribulus to benefit sexual health was uncovered in recent investigations that show Tribulus Terrestris increases the release of nitric oxide from the lining of blood vessels and nerves that supply blood flow to the penis and clitoris. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, giving better blood flow which results in a firmer, longer-lasting erection in men and increased genital sensitivity in women.
A animal study done at the University of Singapore Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology showed Tribulus demonstrated this effect and concluded; "The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac." (9)
Hormone Levels and Tribulus Terrestris
While Tribulus terrestris supports and assists the body's natural production of testosterone it should be clearly understood tribulus terrestris is not a hormone supplement. Tribulus Terrestris will not cause the body to indefinitely produce more and more testosterone, rather it balances natural hormone levels. By promoting production of the body’s own hormones, it works only within the body’s natural limits to help men and women achieve better sexual health.
Sperm Count and Tribulus Terrestris
The European research also showed Tribulus Terrestris extract can significantly improve the quantity and quality of sperm. As it takes sperm 80 days to reach maturity, men hoping for improved sperm quality need to take Tribulus Terrestris for at least this length of time. (2)
A more recent double blind placebo-controlled trial at the Airlangga University in Surubaya, Indonesia, showed an overall improvement in fertility. The number of sperm which penetrated the egg increased, and the number of immobile sperm significantly decreased.
The men also experienced an increase in sex drive and more frequent sex. None experienced any side effects. (10)
Tribulus Terrestris and Menopause
European research showed Tribulus Terrestris helps with menopause, relieving symptoms like:
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Perspiration
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Depression
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Insomnia
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Anxiety and Hysteria
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Sense of heaviness in the cardiac region
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Low or very low libido
According to the European study only one patient out of 50 post-menopausal women gained no benefit from tribulus terrestris. (4 )
Dr James Meschino at nutritionalwellness.com reports an “important study showed Tribulus Terrestris supplementation in women improved libido and sexual function in 66 percent of those who originally reported low sex drive and sexual dysfunction problems.”
And Livestrong.com reports some women use it for reduction of the “dry eye” symptom which sometimes occurs during menopause because of low estrogen levels.
Other Health Benefits of Tribulus
Research shows Tribulus has a range of other benefits above and beyond boosting sexual health.
It also:
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Reduces cholesterol levels
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Reduces triglycerides
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Increases immunity
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Supports liver function
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Has antioxidant properties
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Reduces blood sugar levels
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Helps treat hypertension (11,12,13,14,15)
According to nutritionist Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Tribulus helps enhance the immune system, has antimicrobial properties, so can help fight infectious illnesses. She reports according to folk medicine, tribulus also has anti-inflammatory properties, and is used as a general tonic for the liver, kidneys and urinary tract, as well as to boost energy and vitality.
Tribulus and Muscle Strength
Body builders have jumped on the band wagon and suggested Tribulus works as a non anabolic steroid for building muscle mass and strength without triggering anti-steroid testing systems.
Although the Bulgarian Olympics weightlifters and some American NFL players have credited their success to the use of Tribulus, a 2007 Australian study with Rugby players done by School of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University Lismore, New South Wales, found no evidence it built muscle strength. (Nor did it raise any red alerts in sports drug tests).
Their report "The Effect of Five Weeks of Tribulus Terrestris Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Body Composition During Preseason Training in Elite Rugby League Players" published in The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research concluded tribulus gave the players no advantages over a placebo in physical strength or performance. (16)
That finding was supported by a University of Nebraska study with resistance-trained men. (17) And yet another study with athletes found testosterone levels increased for the first ten days but then remained stable. (18)
Is Tribulus Terrestris Safe?
Use of Tribulus in the trials mentioned in this report was not accompanied by any unpleasant side effects. However it is not recommended for breastfeeding women. If you have an enlarged prostate it might be a good idea to get it checked out with your medical professional before using Tribulus. This is because in the past it was believed elevating testosterone was dangerous if you have prostate cancer. However, more recent research seems to debunk the idea that
Sources:
1.Viktorov IV, Kaloyanov AL, Lilov L, et al. Clinical investigation on Tribestan in males with disorders in the sexual function. Med-Biol Inf, 1982.
2. Milanov, S. et al., Tribestan effect on the concentration of some hormones in serum of healthy subjects, 1983.
3. Milanov S, Maleeva E, Taskov M. Tribestan effect on the concentration of some hormones in the serum of healthy volunteers. Med-Biol Inf 1985;4:27-9.
4. P. Tabakova, M. Dimitrov, B. Tashkov Clinical Studies on Tribulus terrestris Protodioscin in Women with Endocrine Infertility or Menopausal Syndrome, First Obstetrical and Gynecological Hospital “T. Kirkoua” – Sofia, Bulgaria, IIMS Therapeutic Focus
5. Bulgarian study for Use of tribestan on rams with sexual disorders:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3629956
6.Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN. (2002). "Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats". Life Sciences 71 (12): 1385–96. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(02)01858-1. PMID 12127159.
7. Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP (Jan 2008). "The hormonal effects ofTribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction—an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat".Phytomedicine 15 (1-2): 44–54. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.11.011.PMID 18068966.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18068966
8. Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP, Prasad RN (2003). "Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model". Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9 (2): 257–65. doi:10.1089/10755530360623374.PMID 12804079.
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9. Adaikan, PG, Gauthaman K, Prasad, RN, Ng SC, Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000 Jan;29(1):22-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10748960
10. L. Setiawan. Tribulus terrestris L. extract improves spermatozoa motility and increases the efficiency of acrosome reaction in subjects diagnosed with oligoastheno-teratozoospermia. Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia (1996)
11.Burke, Edmund R. "Fad or Fact? A look at Tribulus terrestris."Nutrition Science News, March 1999, Vol. 4, No.3.
12. Chu S, Qu W, Pang X, Sun B, Huang X. [Effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris on hyperlipidemia] [Article in Chinese] Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 May;26(5):3414.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14535016?dopt=Abstract
13.Li M, Qu W, Wang Y, Wan H, Tian C. [Hypoglycemic effect of saponin from Tribulus terrestris] [Article in Chinese] Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Jun;25(6):420-2.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12583337?dopt=Abstract
14.Sharifi AM, Darabi R, Akbarloo N. Study of antihypertensive mechanism of Tribulus terrestris in 2K1C hypertensive rats: role of tissue ACE activity. Life Sci. 2003 Oct 24;73(23):2963-71.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14519445?dopt=Abstract
15. 10.406 cases of angina pectoris in coronary heart disease treated with saponin of Tribulus terrestris] Wang B; Ma L; Liu T Research Unit of Cardiovascular Disease, Jilin Medical College. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih Feb 1990, 10 (2) p87-7, 68
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2364467
16. Rogerson S, Riches CJ, Jennings C, Weatherby RP, Meir RA, Marshall-Gradisnik SM. (2007). "The Effect of Five Weeks of Tribulus terrestris Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Body Composition During Preseason Training in Elite Rugby League Players". The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 21 (2): 348–53. doi:10.1519/R-18395.1. PMID 17530942.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17530942
17 Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Jun;10(2):208-15.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10861339?dopt=Abstract
18. Milasius K, Dadeliene R, Skernevicius J. The influence of the Tribulus terrestris extract on the parameters of the functional preparedness and athletes' organism homeostasis. Fiziol Zh. 2009;55(5):89-96.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20095389
19.Rowland, DL; Tai, W (2003). "A review of plant-derived and herbal approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions." Journal of sex & marital therapy 29 (3): 185–205.doi:10.1080/00926230390155096.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12851124
20.McKay, D (2004). "Nutrients and botanicals for erectile dysfunction: examining the evidence.". Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic 9 (1): 4–16.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15005641
21. http://midliferocksblog.com/2010/06/01/testosterone-doesn%E2%80%99t-cause-cancer/
22. Harvard expert Dr Abraham Morgentaler M.D, Testosterone for Life, McGraw Hill, 2009.
http://www.amazon.com/Testosterone-Life-Recharge-Vitality-Overall/dp/0071494804
