- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe (south), Asia, Africa (Old World, warm-temperate)
- Sanskrit
- Gokshura
- Other names
- Gokshura
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Chinese medical traditions, Unani medicine
Europe · Herb · № 565
Tribulus terrestris
Herb · Europe
Puncture vine
Tribulus terrestris
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.
Safety notes
Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Chinese materia medica: Not during pregnancy or with yin or blood deficiency.
Preparation
Tea 4–8 ml; decoction 56–112 ml; powder 0.5–1 g; part of 'dashamula'.
Use in traditions
In Ayurveda (gokshura) it is a remedy for the urinary tract and fertility and one of the ten roots of dashamula. In Unani medicine it is called khar-e-khasak, in Chinese medicine ji li. Supplements are sold to raise testosterone, but studies do not show this. The spiny fruits give it the English name puncturevine. Sanskrit name: Gokshura.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; for seminal loss, painful urination, gonorrhoea, chronic cystitis, kidney and bladder stones, gout, impotence, uterine complaints after childbirth, cough, heart disease, urinary retention.
Preparation and amount
Tea 4–8 ml; decoction 56–112 ml; powder 0.5–1 g; part of 'dashamula'.
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, bitter, warm
- Meridians
- liver, lung
Attributed effects
Bai ji li calms rising liver yang in headache and dizziness, expels wind-heat in red, painful, watery eyes, and moves liver qi in pain in chest and flanks and too little breast milk.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. The hard, spiny fruits pierce bare feet and bicycle tyres.
Combinations
- With gou teng, chrysanthemum and white peony for headache from high blood pressure
- With chai hu, green tangerine peel and xiang fu for liver qi stagnation
Caution: Not during pregnancy or with yin or blood deficiency.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionPowder and kitchen