This is a herb that grows in moderate climates in tropical areas. It has been used in ancient Greek, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an aphrodisiac and tonic for thousands of years. It has just recently gained popularity in the West due to rumours that athletes in Bulgaria used it for enhancing performance.
It contains compounds called furostanol saponins, which are thought to boost testosterone levels by elevating levels of luteinising hormone from the pituitary gland. Some studies show that testosterone can be boosted by as much as 41%. Tribulus definitely boosts libido and may also give gains in strength and muscle growth, however, research still needs to confirm this. Some experts suggest tribulus may improve liver, urinary tract and cardio functioning, as well as enhancing mood and reducing cholesterol levels. It is also a diuretic herb.
Tribulus has been used to:
It is normally available as a supplement and is usually standardised so that it contains 40% furostanol saponins. Most benefits are seen when taken at around 750mg per day, however slightly higher doses are sometimes taken (1,250mg per day). The important thing is to take it little and often, ideally with food. Some experts suggest taking the herb for 6-8 weeks, followed by a break of 2-4 weeks before re-using it. Athletes can use tribulus without concerns over drug testing. For this reason it was originally used in Eastern Europe when steroids were banned from the Olympic games and international competitions.
It is not recommended during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.
Men with BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) or enlarged prostate gland, should avoid using supplements that increase testosterone levels, which includes tribulus.
At the time of writing this article no other well-known side effects or drug interactions occur.
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