Tribulus Terrestris is a common herb in traditional medicine (such as Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine in India). It has the most medicinal properties of roots and fruits. It is rich in sterols, saponins, and flavonoids in recent years.
It was found that it may have the effects of improving sexual function, increasing testosterone, improving exercise ability, protecting the heart, etc., and having anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidation effects.
Do you know Tribulus Terrestris’s benefits and side effects?
Table of Contents
- What is Tribulus Terrestris?
- What are the benefits of Tribulus Terrestris?
- Are there any side effects of Tribulus Terrestris?
- Where can I buy the most recommended Tribulus Terrestris extract capsules?
What is Tribulus Terrestris?
Tribulus Terrestris is an annual shrub plant belonging to the family Tribulus Terrestris, which originates in subtropical regions such as India, China, South America, Mexico, Spain, Bulgaria, and Pakistan.
Tribulus Terrestris is mainly characterized by the villi on the plant. It grows in a creeping shape, about 10-60 cm long, the leaves have an oval pinnate shape, yellow flowers, and the fruit has a five-pointed star shape with spinous protrusions.
What are the benefits of Tribulus Terrestris?
1. Tribulus Terrestris and improving male sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction)
According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, about 52% of men aged 40–70 have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
The causes of male erectile function problems can be divided into psychogenic and organic factors, and organic factors account for the highest proportion (80%),
Organic factors can be further divided into non-endocrine factors (angiogenic, neurogenic, and iatrogenic) and endocrine factors (decreased blood testosterone levels).
A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study (a 30-day study of 30 adult men who complained about erection difficulties but were relatively healthy) stated that taking Tribulus Terrestris (800 mg daily) failed to improve erectile dysfunction (to International Erectile Function Index/IIEF-5) and blood testosterone levels.
Another phase 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (12 weeks, 180 patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction) pointed out that taking Tribulus Terrestris extract (1500 mg daily) has improved international erection Function index/IIEF-5, sexual intercourse satisfaction, orgasm function, sexual desire, overall satisfaction and the effect of GEQ score.
*Conclusion: The use of Tribulus Terrestris may have an effect of improving erectile dysfunction in men, and it is more effective at higher doses, but more large trials are still needed to corroborate it.
3 types of health foods for beneficial dysfunction (the first type most people want to ask).
2. Tribulus Terrestris and improvement of female libido disorder
Low libido disorder is the most common type of female sexual dysfunction. The main diagnostic criteria are no or lack of sexual interest and/or desire, and it lasts for at least 6 months. The triggering factors may be related to hormones, nerves, metabolism, blood vessels, drugs, and psychology.
Compared with women with normal sexual desire, low libido disorder often shows depression, worry, unhappiness, disappointment, despair, restlessness, shame, and pain, causing a serious mental burden.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (4 weeks, 67 women with low libido), excluding the lack of stable sexual partners, severe medical conditions, previous reproductive system cancer or breast cancer, and major depression Barriers or other mental illnesses, menopause, pregnancy, husband’s sexual problems, and the person who is planning to divorce.
The study pointed out that the use of Tribulus Terrestris extract has the effect of improving the Female Sexual Function Index, including desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain indicators.
*Conclusion: For women with low libido disorder, the use of Tribulus Terrestris may have an improvement effect, but limited by the small sample size, more large-scale trials are still needed to confirm.
3. Tribulus Terrestris and Testosterone?
Testosterone is a multi-effect hormone that plays an important role in the human body, and the benefits for mental health, mood, cognition, bone density and pain control cannot be ignored.
But with age, testosterone secretion also decreases, and related symptoms include: fatigue, lack of vitality, decreased physical strength, weakness, decreased libido, decreased libido, and mood changes.
A randomized double-blind controlled study (4 weeks, 21 healthy men) indicated that Tribulus Terrestris extraction did not significantly improve testosterone, androstenedione, or luteinizing hormone compared to placebo.
*Conclusion: For healthy adult males, the use of Tribulus Terrestris failed to increase androgen production, to be confirmed.
4. Tribulus Terrestris and improving sports (fitness) performance?
For athletes, the pursuit of faster, higher, stronger is the main goal of mankind since history.
According to the survey, the use of sports supplements is very common among competitive athletes, but only if it is safe, effective, and legal, and it is also suitable for the athlete’s age.
A randomized controlled study (for 8 weeks, targeting 15 men undergoing resistance training) indicated that oral Tribulus Terrestris (3.21 mg/kg) had no significant effect on body composition (weight, fat percentage) and exercise performance compared to placebo Improve the effect.
Another randomized double-blind controlled study (a 5-week, 22 Australian Elite Rugby Union players) pointed out that compared with placebo, oral Tribulus Terrestris (450 mg daily) has no significant effect on muscle strength and muscle mass. But it will not cause a positive reaction in the drug test.
*Conclusion: For the currently limited research, oral Tribulus Terrestris does not have the effect of improving sports (fitness) performance.
Are there any side effects of Tribulus Terrestris?
Based on the current research, it is safe to use Tribulus Terrestris health supplements in an appropriate amount in the short term (not more than 3 months), but the possible side effects that have been reported include nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, cramps, diarrhea, insomnia or increased menstrual bleeding.
In addition, there was a case report that hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity occurred after consuming Tribulus Terrestris, but there is no evidence to prove that there is a causal relationship between the two.
Safety Precautions
Do not use for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children, and those with poor liver and kidney function (because the relevant safety is unknown).
May have a hypoglycemic effect. Please use it with caution in patients with diabetes or taking related hypoglycemic drugs.
Please stop using it 2 weeks before the operation (because the relevant safety is unknown).
Do not use in combination with lithium salts (Lithium salts, commonly used drugs for bipolar disorder) (because Tribulus Terrestris has a diuretic effect, it may lead to a decrease in the efficiency of lithium salt excretion and increase the chance of lithium salt poisoning).
Where can I buy the most recommended Tribulus Terrestris extract capsules?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
