Tribulus Terrestris — Puncture Vine

(Tribulus terrestris)

Tribulus terrestris — Puncture Vine, Goathead, Caltrop, or Devil’s Thorn — is a robust, prostrate annual herb of the family Zygophyllaceae with one of the widest natural distributions of any flowering plant on Earth, native to warm temperate and tropical regions across southern Europe, southern Asia, Africa, and Australia, and now naturalized throughout North America. Tribulus terrestris is one of the most cosmopolitan of all botanical herbs — it thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, sandy wastelands, and arid environments across six continents, and it has been independently used in the traditional medicine systems of virtually every culture in whose territory it grows: in Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), where it is known as Gokshura (गोक्षुर — “cow’s hoof”) and is one of the most important tonic herbs of the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as Bai Ji Li (白蔺跅) and has been used for over 2,000 years; in Unani medicine (the Greco-Arabic medical tradition); and in Bulgarian and Eastern European folk medicine. The common name “Puncture Vine” refers to the plant’s notorious spiny seed pods capable of puncturing bicycle tires and shoe soles. The genus name Tribulus derives from the Latin for “caltrop” — the ancient military weapon of spiked iron balls designed to impede cavalry.

Tribulus terrestris contains a well-characterized phytochemical profile, most notably steroidal saponins including protodioscin (the principal saponin and primary quality marker), protogracillin, dioscin, gracillin, tribulosin, terrestrosin A, B, C, D, and E, gitonin, hecogenin, and diosgenin (a steroidal sapogenin and key precursor in the commercial synthesis of steroidal hormones); along with flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, rutin, tribuloside, astragalin), beta-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harmane, norharmane), phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid), phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol), tannins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese. Available in Powder form.

Product Highlights

• Powder of Tribulus terrestris — Puncture Vine / Goathead / Gokshura (Ayurveda) / Bai Ji Li (TCM)
• One of the most cosmopolitan botanical herbs on Earth — used independently in Ayurveda, TCM, Unani medicine, and Eastern European folk medicine
• The name Tribulus derives from the Latin for “caltrop” — the ancient military weapon — a reference to the plant’s formidable spiny seed pods
• Known in Ayurveda as Gokshura (गोक्षुर — “cow’s hoof”) — one of the most important tonic herbs of the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia
• Primary bioactive compounds: protodioscin and related furostanol saponins — among the most extensively studied steroidal saponins in the plant kingdom
• Contains diosgenin — a steroidal sapogenin and key precursor in the commercial synthesis of steroidal hormones
• Rich in flavonoids — kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, rutin, and tribuloside
• Available in Powder form

How to Use

Herbal Tea (Decoction): Simmer ½–1 teaspoon in 8 oz of water for 15 minutes; strain. Mildly bitter and slightly earthy. Smoothies: Blend ½ teaspoon into smoothies or protein shakes. Encapsulation: Fill capsules for convenient daily use. Herbal Formulas: A traditional component of Ayurvedic tonic formulas — combines with ashwagandha, shatavari, and other rasayana herbs.

Available in Powder (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications (particularly hormone-related medications), or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.