Improve Libido, Diabetes and more with these 10 Benefits of Tribulus Terrestris

Utilizing the medicinal properties of herbs can be an excellent way to allow your body to naturally heal itself. Although many conventional pharmaceuticals are derived from botanical sources, sometimes there can be unpleasant side effects where particular herbs may not be as hard on the system. One herbal supplement that has had multiple positive effects on the body is tribulus terrestris. 

Used for centuries in ancient healing circles, notably Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurveda medicine, this creeping herb widespread in Asia and southern Europe has been linked to alleviating a variety of health ailments. 

Modern science has taken note and put tribulus to the laboratory test to show how it may improve libido, diabetes and more with these 10 benefits. 

Blood Sugar Control

For some people, controlling blood sugar can be a challenge. Whether it is associated with diabetes or other factors, tribulus may help. It is important to check with your doctor before taking tribulus to make sure there isn’t any contraindication with medications or health history.

A study published in the Journal of Evidence Based Complimentary & Alternative Medicine

“Tribulus terrestris showed a significant blood glucose-lowering effect in diabetic women compared to placebo. Also, the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein of T terrestris group was significantly reduced compared with placebo, []. The study showed preliminary promising hypoglycemic effect of T terrestris in women with diabetes mellitus type 2.”

Reducing blood glucose may help prevent blood vessel damage as well as reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Chronic Mild Stress

Stress is a major player in causing a variety of health compromises. It is a static mental state that overrides normal systemic functions causing the body to go into “alarm mode” or “a fight and flight response”. When this feeling of stress continues on a daily basis it may be diagnosed as CMS or Chronic Mild Stress. 

Researchers at Tufts University studied the effects of tribulus on CMS publishing findings in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine which stated that,

“CMS procedure not only significantly decreased the scores of crossing, rears and grooming in OFT [open-field test] and the sucrose preference in SPT [sucrose preference test], but also markedly increased serum CRH [corticotropin-releasing hormone] and CORT [concentration of cortisol levels]. Conclusion: Treatment with TTS [tribulus terrestris saponins] could significantly prevent all of these abnormalities induced by CMS. CMS can affect rat behavior and neuroendocrine and cause depression. TTS has the antagonism on CMS and produce anti-depressive effects.”

Libido Booster

Tribulus has long been used as a sexual tonic, particularly for men, but it has been linked to helping women as well. 

• Some researchers found that when men with reduced sex drives consumed 750–1,500 mg of Tribulus terrestris daily for two months, their sexual desire increased by 79%.
• 67% of women with very low libidos experienced increased sexual desire after they took supplements of 500–1,500 mg for 90 days
• Other studies have also reported that supplements containing the herb enhanced sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction in women with low libido.

Erectile Dysfunction Aid

Due to the observational studies of this ancient application, researchers began looking at a possible increase in testosterone (a major component in erectile function). Although studies are still pending regarding human research, animal studies show promising results.

Science Direct reports on several Tribulus studies regarding effects on sexual performance and biological response stating that, 

“In animal studies, Tribulus has been shown to increase the levels of certain sex hormones, including testosterone, and also to improve nitric oxide synthesis,…Tribulusappears to enhance male fertility through its ability to increase sperm count, viability, and libido

Tribulus is one of many components often included in natural male sexual enhancement formulas. 

6 More Potential Benefits of TT

Healthline cites six more possible benefits, with corroborating scientific evidence, of Tribulus Terrestris in the lab. 

• Fluid balance – This plant may act as a diuretic and increase urine production.
• Immune system – Immune system activity in rats has been shown to increase when they are given this supplement.
• Depression – As part of a multi-ingredient supplement, Tribulus terrestris may have antidepressant effects in mice.
• Inflammation – A test-tube study showed possible anti-inflammatory effects.
• Pain relief – High doses of this supplement may provide pain relief in rats.
• Cancer – Test-tube research has shown a possible anti-cancer effect of Tribulus terrestris

These 10 benefits of using tribulus terrestris offer good science for the right applications. Although minimal adverse effects of tribulus have been reported, talk to your physician or naturopathic doctor to determine if Tribulus is worth a try. 

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tribulus-terrestris?c=646697219101

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27255456/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23789222/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/tribulus-terrestris