TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS
The parts of the plant used are the leaf, fruit and root. It is a flowering plant located in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa and in northern Australia.
The component that is suspected to be responsible for Puncturevine benefits is saponins (a type of steroid glycosides), specifically protodioscin. It is suggested from animal studies that it increases testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) levels, leading to an increase in sex drive.
In animal studies, this herbal supplement increases testosterone levels which lead to increased sex drive. It is suspected that the herb might increase sex drive through the synergy of increased testosterone level and the increased release of nitric oxide (necessary for achieving an erection).
In many studies done in humans, researchers found that Puncturevine does not increase testosterone levels sufficiently to explain its benefit as an aphrodisiac. One researcher suggested that there might be a different mechanism of action that has not been discovered yet.
The natural supplement does seem to dilate the blood vessels in the heart to help with angina (chest pain) and it might therefore also increase the blood flow to the penis to support a stronger erection. This is speculation until further research is done. Because of the weakness of the results from good research studies done on human subjects, we are unable to assign more than a one-leaf rating on this herb for its use in treating erectile dysfunction.
A. Adimoelja (2000) commented that, "Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Puncturevine L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA..."
Suggested Benefits and Traditional Uses - Puncturevine
- anemia
- aphrodisiac / low libido / increase sex drive
- appetite stimulant
- cancer
- chest pain (angina pectoris)
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- colic pain
- coughs and sore throat.
- diabetes.
- digestive aid
- diuretic (to promote water loss)
- eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- enhancing athletic performance
- erectile dysfunction / impotence
- flatulence
- headache
- hepatitis
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- increase muscle mass
- infertility
- inflammation (generalized)
- kidney stones
- laxative
- psoriasis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- urinary problems / painful urination
- vertigo