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
Scoring 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 desirennnn
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 mixture of nine herbs, including tribulus, has been evaluated using in vitro and in vivo experiments on laboratory animals and has shown improvement in sexual activity and erectile function. Clinical studies conducted in patients with erectile disorders show that taking 500 mg of tribulus three times a day for three months does not provide a clinically beneficial improvement in erectile function compared with placebo. Other clinical research shows that taking 400 mg of tribulus twice a day for 30 days does not improve erectile function compared with placebo. However, a preliminary clinical study conducted in patients with a partial androgen deficiency shows that taking 250 mg of tribulus three times a day for 3 months improves erectile function compared with baseline. 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 seaweed and 250 mg of chitosan twice a day for 3 months improves sexual satisfaction, desire, ejaculation function and sexual quality of life compared with placebo in patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Posologie
By mouth: 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 may relieve the mental and physical symptoms associated with menopause, without a notable effect on genitourinary symptoms. nnIn addition, tribulus saponins may increase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women, leading to higher estradiol levels, which indicates a potential action at the hypothalamic level. These compounds are also used to alleviate the symptoms of estrogen withdrawal in postmenopausal women. nn
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 desirennnn
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-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Benign prostatic hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
Tribulus, combined with other plants, has been tested to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in clinical studies. The results indicate a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life in treated men, comparable to the effects of the drug tamsulosin. However, the specific contribution of tribulus to these outcomes requires further research to be fully understood.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
1200 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Polycystic ovary syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study shows that daily intake of 245 mg of tribulus extract, combined with other ingredients and lifestyle modification during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle for 3 months, improves certain symptoms of PCOS, including a 33% reduction in oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and a 43-day reduction in the time between menstrual cycles, compared with lifestyle modification alone. nnThe herbal combination also improves quality of life and reduces body mass index by about 1 kg/m2 compared with placebo. Although the conception rate was quadrupled in patients taking the combined product, the live birth rate was similar to that of patients taking placebo.nn
Posologie
Oral: fruit
245 mg
3 - months
dry extract
Synergies
Properties
Hormonal metabolism
Tribulus is being studied for its potential effects on reproductive function and hormone levels in men and women. Preliminary research suggests it may improve sexual dysfunction in both sexes 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 levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, DHEA, and dihydrotestosterone. Research in rats has also indicated that steroidal saponins extracted from tribulus stimulate sperm production and improve sperm viability. A clinical study found that supplementation with tribulus at 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 have found that tribulus significantly increases free and bioavailable testosterone levels in pre- and postmenopausal patients suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Usages associés
Fertility effect
Tribulus stimulates libido and fertility, having shown positive effects on sexual behavior and sperm production in animal studies. It enhances sexual function, notably by improving aphrodisiac activity and positively influencing testosterone levels and other hormones important for reproduction. Chronic administration appears to be more effective than single doses. Proposed mechanisms include increasing androgen levels and the release of nitric oxide, contributing to improved sexual performance.
Usages associés
Diuretic
A high oral dose of tribulus, at 5 g/kg, showed diuretic activity greater than that of furosemide at 120 mg/kg in in vivo studies. However, the dose required to achieve this effect appears impractical from a clinical standpoint.
Cardiovascular
Tribulus exhibits cardioprotective actions, notably by dilating the coronary arteries and improving coronary circulation, which may help in the treatment of angina pectoris. It has also demonstrated antihypertensive effects in animal studies, potentially through inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme or by direct relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, involving the release of nitric oxide. In addition, tribulus may reduce serum lipids, mitigate damage to endothelial cells, and partially repair endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperlipidemia. These effects suggest a potential benefit 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 types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. These results suggest a potential use of tribulus in cancer research.
Safe dosage
Adult up to 18 years: 750 mg - 1500 mg
Tribulus extract has most often been used at doses of 750-1200 mg per day for 12 weeks.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Warfarin: minor interaction
A herbal combination including Tribulus terrestris has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding in people on warfarin.
Precautions
Breastfeeding: avoid
Insufficient data.nn
Contraindications
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Abortifacient effect.nn
Prostate cancer: contraindicated
People with androgen-sensitive tumors should avoid using tribulus.nn
