The thistle or Tribulus terrestris L. It is a creeping or creeping plant of the zygophyllaceae family, with highly branched and hairy stems, leaves composed of up to 8 pairs of oblong leaflets and solitary flowers with yellow petals. Its most striking morphological feature is the fruitwhich is a capsule formed by five hard and rough carpels, armed with strong thorns, which stick into your feet or the sole when you step on them.

appears in beaches, sandy areasin roadsides and fields and is distributed by the entire Mediterranean basinthe Black Sea and Türkiye.

TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS: PROPERTIES

For medicinal purposes, from thistle or Tribulus terrestris flowers and leaves are used above alland to a lesser extent the fruits. They contain flavonoids, derived from kaempferol (an anti-inflammatory compound), steroidal saponins such as protodioscin, responsible for its stimulating action, traces of alkaloids, tannins and resins.

Among the properties of Tribulus terrestris stand out:

• Stimulating properties
• Anabolic properties
• aphrodisiac properties
• astringent properties
• Hemostatic and healing properties

TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS: WHAT IT IS FOR

Due to the ability of thistle to stimulate male sexual desire, extracts of Tribulus terrestris They are often called «natural testosterone,» but is there any truth to that? What other properties does it have?

TESTOSTERONE AND ERECTION

Due to the action of a saponin, protodioscin, some recent clinical studies attribute it to Tribulus terrestris the ability to promote sexual response in men, stimulating sperm productionand to combat associated dysfunctions, such as difficulty in erection and the premature ejaculation.

It has been considered a natural testosterone supply and has been intended to treat male infertility and improve sexual stimulation in men with low sexual interest. Nevertheless, there is no scientific consensus about its real effectiveness, since it has not always been possible to demonstrate that it increases testosterone levels in men.

Tribulus terrestris It also has a possible effect on mood, useful for reducing stress and combating reluctance, weakness and asthenia, all of which can be useful, on the other hand, to improve sexual function and experience.

LIBIDO AND MENOPAUSE

The thistle or Tribulus terrestris It has also been used to improve the sexual response in womenfor its stimulating effect.

Due to its analgesic and antispasmodic capacity, it could mitigate some of the menopause symptomsas headaches, muscle pain and low back pain. These assumptions also do not have scientific support.

PERFORMANCE IN SPORTS

Extract of Tribulus terrestris to improve the physical performance of athletes and other long-distance athletesas well as to combat the muscle painbut again there is no scientific evidence of its real effectiveness.

OTHER USES OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

As a diuretic planthas been intended, in traditional uses, to treat kidney stonesthe excesses of uric acid and ureathe urinary infections and the high blood pressurebut there are other plants better equipped for the treatment of these ailments.

Externally, It has been used as a local hemostatic, healing and anti-inflammatory on wounds, bleeding wounds, eczema, mouth sores and bleeding, mouth ulcers, canker sores, etc.

HOW THE CALBOR OR TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS IS USED

In phytotherapy, thistle is a plant that is little used today, but it is easily found and can be harvested in the field, and it is still served in some herbal shops. There is, however, a certain supply of stimulant and supposedly aphrodisiac products that, in some cases, combine caltrop with maca, ginseng and other natural stimulants, such as testosterone enhancers.

You can find thistle or Tribulus terrestris in the following ways:

• In liquid extractsto take up to 10 drops a day, sometimes combined with maca and Korean ginseng.
• in tincture with or without alcohol, 30 drops in three daily doses.
• In simple or mixed infusion in combination with other herbs, which is usually made with a teaspoon of coffee per cupto drink two cups daily.
• In decoction or maceration of the dried plant, two glasses daily.
• supplements Tribulus terrestris anabolics in capsules, combined with maca, zinc, vitamin B and other components, especially sold online.
• The decoction externally to apply it in the form of mouthwash, gargle or washes and compresses on skin disorders.

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

Is It is essential not to start treatment with caltrop for sexual and emotional problems without consulting your doctor. High doses should be avoided in all cases, and better yet, doses should be reduced, if not minimal.

The presence of traces of alkaloids makes this plant a natural resource to discard in pregnancy, lactation and in childhood. Should not be taken if there are neurological diseasesor by patients with heart and liver disease. Nor should it be taken if you are waiting for surgeryat least up to a month before. And it is not recommended for diabetic people.

The thistle or Tribulus terrestris contains a nerve agent that could be dangerous, especially if taken continuously.

In any case, before consuming caltrop it is necessary be well advised and do not take it lightly. and it must avoid eating the fruitto avoid severe damage to the digestive tract.

There have been some cases of side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and spasms gastrointestinal.

By Jordi Cebrián, journalist specialized in phytotherapy