Tribulus is a medicinal herb used to calm the liver and subdue wind; it is the fruit of Tribulus terrestris L., a plant belonging to the genus Tribulus in the family Zygophyllaceae.It has the effects of calming the liver and relieving depression, promoting blood circulation and dispelling wind, improving vision, and relieving itching. It is used to treat headaches and dizziness, distending pain in the chest and flanks, blocked lactation and breast abscesses, redness and opacities of the eyes, and itching caused by hives.
Tribulus
Tribulus is a medicinal herb used to calm the liver and subdue wind; it is the fruit of Tribulus terrestris L., a plant belonging to the genus Tribulus in the family Zygophyllaceae.It has the effects of calming the liver and relieving depression, promoting blood circulation and dispelling wind, improving vision, and relieving itching. It is used to treat headaches and dizziness, distending pain in the chest and flanks, blocked lactation and breast abscesses, redness and opacities of the eyes, and itching caused by hives.
Chinese Name : 蒺藜
Latin Name : Tribuli Fructus
Aliases : Tribulus seed, Pangtong, Quren, Zhixing, Chaiyu, Shengtui, Jili, White Tribulus seed, Du Tribulus, Earth Tribulus, White Tribulus, Dry Grass, Triangular Tribulus,Triangular Thistle, Octagonal Thistle, Tribulus Seed, Wild Water Chestnut, Ground Water Chestnut, Hard Tribulus, Tribulus Capsule
Authentic Producing Area : Mainly produced in Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Taste: bitter and pungent; nature: slightly warm; enters the Liver meridian
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Calms the liver and relieves depression; promotes blood circulation and dispels wind; improves vision; relieves itching.
Indications
Used to treat headaches and dizziness, distending pain in the chest and flanks, blocked lactation and breast abscesses, redness and opacities of the eyes, and itching caused by hives.
Usage and Dosage
Decoct and take 6–10 g.
Precautions
1. Avoid consuming spicy, stimulating, raw, cold, or greasy foods while taking this medication. 2. Do not consume with tea, as it may affect the efficacy of the medication.
Chemical Constituents
It primarily contains steroidal saponins: Tribulus saponins A–E; flavonoids: tribuloside, kaempferol, quercetin, etc.; and also contains essential oils, fatty acids, and other components.
Pharmacological Actions
This product has effects including protection against acute liver injury, promotion of melanocyte proliferation in skin hair follicles, enhancement of reproductive function, protection against myocardial ischemia, neuroprotection, blood glucose reduction, anti-aging, antithrombotic effects, and antitumor effects.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Shennong Bencao Jing*: “Treats stagnant blood, dissolves masses and accumulations, relieves sore throat, and alleviates lactation difficulties. Long-term use builds muscle and improves eyesight.”
2. *Mingyi Bielu*: “Treats itchy skin caused by wind and headaches.”
3. *Ben Cao Qiu Zhen*: “It dispels wind-pathogens from the Liver Meridian. For all conditions caused by excessive wind—such as redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes, as well as unbearable itching and white patches all over the body—taking this remedy is invariably effective.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
1. For treating headaches, fever, and pain in all joints caused by typhoid fever: Tribulus terrestris seeds (roasted, thorns removed), Angelica dahurica, Aconite root (processed), and white silkworm pupae (roasted), in equal parts. Pound the four ingredients into a fine powder. Take two qian per dose, mixed with clear tea or wine, at any time. (*Shengji Zonglu*: Si Bai San)
2. For treating wind-toxin ascending from the liver and kidneys, causing red, painful, and itchy eyes, blurred vision, photophobia, and excessive tearing: Astragalus, Duhuo, and White Tribulus, each in equal parts, ground into a powder. Take two qian per dose, mixed with mint wine. (*Yixue Rumen*: Sisheng Powder)
3. For treating chest bi syndrome, with distension, oppression, and obstruction in the diaphragm, or accompanying pain: One jin of spiny tribulus (stir-fried with thorns intact); grind into a fine powder. Take four qian each morning, noon, and evening, mixed with plain hot water.
4. For treating breast distension without lactation, or breast cancer presenting as lumps and pain: Two to three jin of spiny tribulus (stir-fried with thorns intact); grind into a powder.Take it every morning, noon, and evening at any time, mixed with plain hot water to form a paste.
5. For the treatment of stagnant blood accumulations or masses (zhengjia): One jin of Tribulus terrestris (roasted with thorns), two liang of dried lacquer (roasted). Grind both into a fine powder, moisten with water to form pills the size of mung beans. Take two qian every evening after dinner and before bedtime, washed down with wine.
6. For all types of beriberi, regardless of whether the condition is due to deficiency or excess, cold or heat: 8 liang of Tribulus terrestris (stir-fried with thorns), 5 liang of Carica papaya (stir-fried). Grind both into a fine powder. Take 5 qian every morning, mixed with plain hot water.
7. For jaundice: 5 liang of Tribulus terrestris (stir-fried with thorns), 4 liang of Artemisia capillaris (stir-fried). Grind both into a fine powder.Take five qian each morning and evening, decoct in two bowls of water, and drink the decoction. (Formulas 3–7 are from *Ben Cao Hui Yan*, citing *Fang Longtan Jia Mi*)
8. For treating inguinal hernia with pulling pain in the lower abdomen: Tribulus terrestris (roasted without spines), Aconite root (roasted, with skin and navel removed), and Gardenia seeds—each in equal parts.Grind into a fine powder. Take three qian per dose; decoct in one and a half zhan of water until reduced to six fen, strain, and take warm before meals. (Tribulus Decoction from *Xuanming Lunfang*)
9. To induce menstruation: Angelica sinensis and Tribulus terrestris, each in equal parts. Grind into a fine powder; mix with rice-water decoction and take before meals. (Angelica Powder from *Rumen Shiquan*)
10. For scrofula with suppurating ulcers that fail to heal: Eight liang of Tribulus terrestris (with thorns, stir-fried), three liang of Moutan bark (stir-fried), and four liang of Angelica sinensis root (stir-fried). Grind all into a fine powder, make into honey pills, and take morning and evening. (From *Ben Cao Hui Yan*, citing *Fang Longtan Jia Mi*)
Related Compatibility
1. Tribulus terrestris Combined with Schisandra Fruit: Tribulus terrestris is pungent and dispersing, bitter and purgative, primarily entering the Liver Meridian; it can both dispel wind and improve vision, as well as subdue Liver Yang. Schisandra fruit is pungent in taste, excels at ascending and dispersing, and is particularly effective at clearing and benefiting the head and eyes, as well as dispelling wind and relieving pain.When these two herbs are combined, they enhance the effects of dispelling wind-heat, subduing liver yang, clearing the head and eyes, and relieving headaches. This combination is suitable for headaches, dizziness, red eyes, and corneal opacities caused by wind-heat ascending or liver fire flaring upward.
2. Tribulus terrestris combined with Chrysanthemum: Tribulus terrestris calms the liver and relieves depression, dispels wind, and improves vision; Chrysanthemum calms and clears the liver, dispels heat, and improves vision. When used together, these two herbs enhance the effects of calming the liver and improving vision. This combination is suitable for conditions such as excessive Liver Yang rising, headaches, dizziness, and Liver Fire rising, which manifest as red eyes and corneal opacities.
Medicinal Identification
1. Raw Tribulus and Roasted Tribulus: These are two different processed forms of Tribulus. Due to differences in processing methods, their therapeutic effects have distinct emphases.Raw Tribulus terrestris excels at dispersing wind-heat in the Liver meridian and has the effect of improving vision and removing opacities. It is used to treat wind-heat rising upward, redness of the eyes, and opacities, and is particularly effective at dispelling wind and relieving itching, making it suitable for treating itching associated with hives. Roasted Tribulus terrestris has a reduced pungent-dispersing nature and excels at subduing Liver yang, relieving depression, and unblocking the meridians; it is commonly used to treat headaches, dizziness, and insufficient lactation.
2. Tribulus terrestris and Oyster Shell: Both can calm the liver and improve vision, and are used to treat headaches, dizziness, and redness and opacities of the eyes. However, Tribulus terrestris can also relieve depression, invigorate blood circulation, dispel wind, and relieve itching, making it suitable for treating distending pain in the chest and flanks, blocked lactation, mastitis, and itching associated with hives.Shi Jue Ming is salty, cold, and heavy in nature; it cools and calms the liver while nourishing liver yin. It can be applied to eye disorders involving both excess and deficiency patterns and is particularly effective for treating headaches and dizziness caused by yin deficiency with excessive yang.
3. Tribulus terrestris and Semen Syae: Both possess the ability to improve vision. However, Tribulus terrestris is pungent in nature and promotes dispersion; it excels at dispersing wind-heat in the Liver Meridian to improve vision and dispel opacities, and is often used to treat wind-heat ascending to the head, resulting in red eyes and opacities. Semen Syae has a sweet taste and tonifying properties; it excels at tonifying the Liver and Kidneys to improve vision, and is often used to treat Liver and Kidney deficiency, blurred vision, and dizziness with visual disturbances.
Related Medicines
Vitiligo Capsules, Eye-Brightening Tribulus Pill, and White Erosion Pill.
Related Prescriptions
Formula for Treating Wind-Induced Itching (*Fang Longtan’s Family Secrets*), Tribulus Powder (*Thousand Gold Prescriptions*), Formula for Treating Breast Cancer (*Fang Longtan’s Family Secrets*).
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with Chinese herbal medicine should first consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional pattern differentiation and prescribe an herbal formula.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest the plant when the fruits ripen in the fall, sun-dry it, and then thresh the fruits.
Processing Methods
Sun-dry the harvested fruits and remove impurities.
Storage Methods
Store in a dry container; for roasted Tribulus terrestris and salted Tribulus terrestris, seal tightly and keep in a cool, dry place.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
The compound fruit consists of 5 mericarps, arranged radially to form a pentagonal sphere, 7–12 mm in diameter.In commerce, the fruit is often split into individual mericarps, which are ax-shaped and triangular, 3–6 mm long, pale yellow-green, convex on the back, with longitudinal ridges and numerous small spines, as well as one pair each of symmetrical long and short spines that diverge in a figure-eight pattern; the lateral surfaces are rough, reticulate, and grayish-white; the pericarp is hard and woody, containing 3–4 seeds.The seeds are ovoid, slightly flattened, and oily. They have a faint odor and a bitter taste.
Properties of Processed Slices
1. Tribulus: Radially pentagonal in shape, 6–10 mm in diameter, with a greenish-white or grayish-white surface; the dorsal side is convex, with numerous reticulate patterns and small spines. The texture is hard; a cross-section reveals a white, oily seed kernel. Odorless; bitter and pungent in taste.
2. Roasted Tribulus: Irregular triangular granules with a pale yellow surface.
3. Salted Tribulus: Resembles Tribulus, with a pale yellow surface and a slightly salty taste.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Tribulus terrestris, a plant of the genus Tribulus in the family Zygophyllaceae.
Morphological Characteristics
An annual herb. The stem usually branches from the base, lies prostrate on the ground, is ribbed, and can reach a length of about 1 m; the entire plant is covered with silky soft hairs. The stipules are lanceolate, small and pointed, about 3 mm long; the leaves are even-pinnate compound, opposite, with one long and one short leaf;the long leaf is 3–5 cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide, usually with 6–8 pairs of leaflets; the short leaf is 1–2 cm long, with 3–5 pairs of leaflets; the leaflets are opposite, oblong, 4–15 mm long, with acute or obtuse tips, glabrous on the upper surface or bearing filiform hairs only along the midrib, and covered with white, appressed filiform hairs on the lower surface.Flowers are pale yellow, small, regular, and solitary in the axils of the short leaves; pedicels are 4–10 mm long; the calyx consists of 5 ovate-lanceolate, acuminate sepals, approximately 4 mm long, hairy on the back, and persistent; petals are 5, obovate, with a slightly truncate apex, and alternate with the sepals;There are 10 stamens, attached at the base of the disk, with scale-like glands at the base; the ovary consists of 5 carpels. The fruit is a schizocarp, pentagonal or spherical, composed of 5 star-shaped mericarps, each bearing one pair of long and short spines, with short, stiff hairs and tuberculate projections on the back. Flowering occurs from May to August, and fruiting from June to September.
Distribution Area
Distributed throughout China.
Growth Habits
It prefers a warm and humid climate, is drought-tolerant, but sensitive to waterlogging. It is best cultivated in sunny locations with loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. It is not suitable for planting in areas with heavy rainfall, clay soils, or low-lying areas.
Propagation Methods
Propagated by seed.
Cultivation Techniques
Because the fruit shell is hard, the fruit must be ground before sowing to separate the segments; then, the spines must be ground off before sowing. Prepare raised beds and dig holes with a row spacing of 50 cm × 40 cm and a depth of 10 cm. Sow 5–6 seeds per hole, cover with soil, and lightly tamp down.