Tribulus Terrestris: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Puncture Vine, Maltese Cross
Scientific name(s)
Tribulus Terrestris
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Saponins
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Sexual Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Sexual disorders (libido and erection) with or without hypogonadism in men. Sexual disorders in women.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
400 - 750 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with late-onset hypogonadism: A placebo-controlled study
Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral Vascularization. Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Two Different Dosage Regimes
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction-A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Effect of a multi-ingredient based food supplement on sexual function in women with low sexual desire
Pilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM)
Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo - controlled study
Sexual asthenia: Tradamixina versus Tadalafil 5 mg daily
Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Efficacy of Tribulus Terrestris for the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Erectile Dysfunction ✪✪✪✪✪
A blend of nine herbs, including Tribulus, was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo animal studies and demonstrated improvement in sexual activity and erectile function. Clinical studies with patients suffering from erectile disorders show that taking 500 mg of Tribulus three times a day for three months does not provide clinically beneficial improvement in erectile function compared to placebo. Other clinical research shows that taking 400 mg of Tribulus twice daily for 30 days does not improve erectile function compared to placebo. However, a preliminary clinical study conducted with patients suffering from partial androgen deficiency shows that taking 250 mg of Tribulus three times daily for 3 months improves erectile function compared to baseline values. Tribulus has also been studied in combination with other ingredients. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a combined supplement containing 450 mg of Tribulus, 300 mg of brown algae, and 250 mg of chitosan two times a day for 3 months improves sexual satisfaction, desire, ejaculatory function, and sexual quality of life compared to placebo in patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
750 mg
3 - months
dry extract
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction-A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Effect of SA1, a Herbal Formulation, on Sexual Behavior and Penile Erection
Pilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM)
Alga Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris, and glucosamine oligosaccharide improve erectile function, sexual quality of life, and ejaculation function in patients with moderate mild-moderate erectile dysfunction: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded study
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Research suggests that a product combining Tribulus, ginger, saffron, and cinnamon can alleviate mental and physical symptoms related to menopause, without any notable effect on genitourinary symptoms. Additionally, Tribulus saponins could increase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women, leading to higher estradiol levels, indicating potential action at the hypothalamus level. These compounds are also used to alleviate estrogen withdrawal symptoms in postmenopausal women.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
750 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral Vascularization. Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Two Different Dosage Regimes
Effect of a multi-ingredient based food supplement on sexual function in women with low sexual desire
Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Efficacy of Tribulus Terrestris for the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
Tribulus, combined with other plants, has been tested for relieving symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in clinical studies. The results indicate a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life among treated men, comparable to the effects of the drug tamsulosin. However, the specific impact of tribulus in these results requires further research to be fully understood.
Posologie
Oral administration: fruit
1200 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study shows that the daily intake of 245 mg of tribulus extract, combined with other ingredients and lifestyle modifications during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle for 3 months, improves some symptoms of PCOS, including a 33% reduction in oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and a 43-day reduction in cycle duration compared to lifestyle modification alone. The combination of herbs also improves quality of life by around and reduces body mass index by 1 kg/m2 compared to placebo. Although conception rate was quadrupled in patients taking the combined product, the live birth rate was similar to patients taking the placebo.
Posologie
Oral administration: fruit
245 mg
3 - months
dry extract
Synergies
Properties
Hormonal Metabolism
Tribulus is studied for its potential effects on reproductive function and hormone levels in both men and women. Preliminary research suggests it may improve sexual dysfunction in both genders and erectile dysfunction in men. These beneficial effects could be related to changes in hormone levels. Indeed, animal studies have shown that protodioscin, a component of Tribulus, can increase testosterone levels, luteinizing hormone, DHEA, and dihydrotestosterone. Research in rats also indicated that steroidal saponins extracted from Tribulus stimulate sperm production and improve their viability. A clinical study noted that supplementation with Tribulus at a dose of 250 mg three times a day for three months can significantly increase serum testosterone levels in adults with partial androgen deficiency, without affecting luteinizing hormone. Other clinical studies found that Tribulus significantly increases levels of free and bioavailable testosterone in pre- and post-menopausal patients suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Usages associés
Fertility Effect
Tribulus stimulates libido and fertility, showing positive effects on sexual behavior and sperm production in animal studies. It enhances sexual function, particularly by boosting aphrodisiac activity and positively influencing levels of testosterone and other hormones important for reproduction. Chronic administration seems to be more effective than single doses. Proposed mechanisms include increased androgen levels and nitric oxide release, helping to improve sexual performance.
Usages associés
Diuretic
A high oral dose of Tribulus, 5 g/kg, demonstrated diuretic activity superior to furosemide at 120 mg/kg in in vivo studies. However, the dose required to achieve this effect seems impractical from a clinical viewpoint.
Cardiovascular
Tribulus exhibits cardioprotective actions, including dilating coronary arteries and improving coronary circulation, which may assist in treating angina. It also demonstrated antihypertensive effects in animal studies, potentially through angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or direct relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, involving nitric oxide release. Additionally, Tribulus can reduce serum lipids, mitigate endothelial cell damage, and partially repair endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperlipidemia. These effects suggest a beneficial potential of Tribulus for cardiovascular health.
Anticancer
Tribulus shows anticancer effects in the laboratory, notably by destroying malignant melanoma cells and inducing cell death in liver and breast carcinoma cells. Its compounds, particularly steroidal saponins, act against several cancer types, including ovarian cancer. These results suggest potential use of Tribulus in cancer research.
Safety dosage
Adult up to 18 year(s): 750 mg - 1500 mg
Tribulus extract has most often been used at doses of 750-1200 mg per day for 12 weeks.
Interactions
Médicaments
Warfarin: weak interaction
A herbal combination including Tribulus terrestris has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding in people on warfarin.
Precautions
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Insufficient data.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: prohibited
Abortive effect.
Prostate cancer: prohibited
Individuals with androgen-sensitive tumors should avoid using tribulus.
