Tribulus Terrestris

It belongs to the family of Zygophyllaceae, with twenty species worldwide. It has seeds with three spines and yellow flowers and grows up to a meter high.

Tribulus may enhance libido in men as a testosterone booster

Since the 1980s, Tribulus is a known enhancer for vitality and for libido as a testosterone booster for active men. It has also been proposed in cases of kidney stones, high cholesterol, hypertension, and as a diuretic (1).

Tribulus contains many chemical compounds, such as steroidal glycosides (saponins) and alkaloids (2). Anabolic properties are attributed to this plant as it elevated blood testosterone levels and stimulates skeletal muscles hypertrophy.

Research on Tribulus Terrestris is focused mainly on healthy athletes and physically active adults, with mixed results on blood testosterone, androstenedione, and/or luteinizing hormone after about four weeks of supplementation (3). However, a study by Milasius et al (2009), showcased that after twenty days of supplementing with a dietary supplement named Tribulus, anaerobic and lactic muscular power and blood testosterone were significantly increased among young male participants (4).

1. Pokrywka, A., Obmiński, Z., Malczewska-Lenczowska, J., Fijałek, Z., Turek-Lepa, E., & Grucza, R. (2014). Insights into Supplements with Tribulus Terrestris used by Athletes. Journal of human kinetics, 41, 99–105. 

2. Chhatre S, Nesari T, Somani G, Kanchan D, Sathaye S. Phytopharmacological overview of Tribulus terrestris. Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8:45-51

3. Van Eenoo P, Delbeke FT, Desmet N, De Backer P. Excretion studies with Tribulus terrestris. In: Schänzer W, Geyer H, Gotzmann A, Mareck U, editors. Recent advances in doping analysis (8) Köln: Sport und Buch Strauß; 2000. pp. 13–22.

4. 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;55:89–96.