Tribulus Terrestris is an annual plant, which is known as a "Tribulus" and in other parts of the world it is called “cat’s head,” ” bullhead,” “devil’s thorn,” or “devil’s eyelashes.”
Tribulus is known for its many benefits, attributed to folk medicine, properties. In recent decades, this herb has been one of the few ones that stand in the elite of dietary supplements and is among the most popular products in the sports supplementation.
The useful properties of Tribulus are also popular in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. They are associated with the treatment of impotence, poor appetite, heart disease, jaundice and back pain.
In men, it increases the luteinizing hormone in the testicles where testosterone is being formed. In women, Tribulus does not increase testosterone and regulates female hormones.
For increasing muscle mass, the most suitable combinations are with creatine monohydrate, whey protein, and leucine. Combining Tribulus and leuzea demonstrates improved libido and quality of sperm.
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What Is Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is an annual plant, which is known as a "Tribulus" and in other parts of the world it is called “cat’s head,” ” bullhead,” “devil’s thorn,” or “devil’s eyelashes.”
The names of the herb originate from its special appearance, which includes hairy stems and leaves and small spikes on top of the fruit. The herb is distributed in southern Europe, parts of the West, and China.
The fruits of Tribulus are popular in Chinese medicine and are used for the treatment of ocular problems, edema, hypertension, and heart disease.
The useful properties of Tribulus are also popular in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. They are associated with the treatment of impotence, poor appetite, heart disease, jaundice and back pain.
The root and fruit of Tribulus Terrestris have the highest content of active ingredients and contain some steroidal saponins, proteins, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides and large amounts of vitamin C.
Types of Tribulus: Difference in the Active Ingredients in Extracts
Tribulus is a common herb in Europe and Asia. There are significant differences in the proportion of active plant ingredients in different geographical areas.
Protodioscin, which is the most active saponin in Tribulus and allegedly has muscle-building properties, is contained in the largest quantities in the Bulgarian, Turkish and in Macedonian Tribulus. The content of protodioscin in these three types is almost twice as much as the protodioscin in the other kinds.
Moreover, the Indian and Vietnamese Tribulus are missing the important steroidal saponins tribestin and prototribestin. However, the tribulosin concentrations are several times more.
Scientists have found that the geographical location affects the balance of saponins as Tribulus, growing in Southeast Europe and West Asia, is rich in protodioscin and that in South Asia and the Far East is rich in tribulosin and gitogenic saponin.
There are other types of Tribulus, which differ in their content of active ingredients. Tribulus pentandrus is extremely rich in bioflavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, and tricine. It exerts powerful antioxidant properties.
Tricine is completely missing from the Tribulus content. Another popular type, used in some sports formulas is Tribulus alatus, which contains steroidal glycosides similar to those in Tribulus Terrestris. There is a study that demonstrates the ability of Tribulus alatus to increase testosterone in rats.
How Does Tribulus Terrestris Work
Like most herbs, Tribulus Terrestris has a whole set of bioactive plant substances that can affect certain body processes. Tribulus is rich in saponins, which are derived from metabolic substances in plants.
Saponins in Tribulus are based on steroid skeleton and therefore; they are called steroidal saponins. The main steroid saponin in Terrestris Tribulus is protodioscin, which in some cases may constitute up to 45% of the weight of the dry extract.
Other saponins in Tribulus are pseudoprotodioscin, dioscin, tribulosin, prototribestin and tribestin, spirostanol and furostanol. Despite the conflicting data, researchers argue that the main mechanism of action of Tribulus is bound with its effect on hormones.
In men, it increases the luteinizing hormone in the testicles where testosterone is being formed. In women, Tribulus does not increase testosterone and regulates female hormones.
Among the other active ingredients, phenols are about 18% of the aqueous extract and vitamin C concentrations and can reach 900 mg per 100 g. This attributes certain antioxidant properties to the herb.
Proven and Potential Benefits on People
- The use of Tribulus in some individuals shows an increased appetite, but the scientific evidence for this effect is not currently available;
- The traditional use of Tribulus is associated with increased sexual desire in men, although there are no specific studies;
- The only study on the effects of Tribulus on blood pressure in humans found that intake of 3 grams a day reduces blood pressure within one week. It continues to be reduced by nearly 10% within the 4th week. Regulation of heart rate and cholesterol have been also been stated;
- Potential benefits in the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, reducing the symptoms and prostate volume. Tribulus is used in combination with curry leaves.
Side Effects
The use of Tribulus is relatively safe, no extreme side effects or toxicity has been seen. Some studies note some side effects that may occur, though.
The most common manifestation of side effects is irritation of the stomach or abdominal pain. In these cases, Tribulus is recommended to be taken with food.
There is one isolated case, in which the use of Tribulus leads to the occurrence of gynecomastia and a decrease in testosterone.
Due to the peculiarities of the health of a 21-year-old athlete, who smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol regularly and was prone to gynecomastia, some people point at Tribulus as the causative agent of these adverse side effects.
The herb probably accelerated their manifestation. Other isolated cases show side effects like neurotoxicity and kidney problems, but recent analyses suggest that complications are not due to the herb.
Despite not being toxic to humans, Tribulus is extremely toxic to sheep and cattle.
How to Combine Tribulus
Tribulus is a herb that is not known for its side effects and can, therefore; be combined with a wide range of nutritional supplements.
If the user aims to stimulate hormones and we assume that Tribulus has a positive influence on them, then the herb can be combined with other herbs like nettle root, Saw Palmetto, Epimedium, amino acids like D-aspartic acid, or micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium and vitamin D.
For increasing muscle mass, the most suitable combinations are with creatine monohydrate, whey protein, and leucine. Old School fitness and bodybuilding recommends combining Tribulus with ecdysterone, as the most potential is in the extract of leuzea.
Leuzea is the only source of ecdysterone that shows benefits in the researches. Combining Tribulus and leuzea demonstrates improved libido and quality of sperm.
Due to the properties of a strong aphrodisiac, Tribulus can be combined with products such as arginine, yohimbine, Longjack, and others.
Recommended Dosage
Food additives manufacturers recommended intake of Tribulus from 500 to 1000 mg, from 1 to 3 times daily. Because the half-life of the oils is 8 hours, it is recommended to take the herb by three equal time intervals.
Tribulus can be taken on an empty stomach, before or after meals. Although not toxic in recommended doses, Tribulus can be dangerous when taken in extremely high amounts.
Scientists in a rat study found that a dose equivalent to 80 mg/kg weight is completely safe and non-toxic. On the other hand, higher doses and a dose of approximately 118-143 mg/kg body weight can be extremely dangerous and toxic.
In Which Supplements Can We Find Tribulus
The most popular products are in doses between 500 mg and 1000 mg, in the form of capsules and tablets. Tribulus is a very popular ingredient in the formulas for increasing libido and sexual stimulants.
Manufacturers of sports supplements often add Tribulus in formulas for increasing testosterone, increasing strength and muscle mass. The doses are not more than 500 mg.
