Tribulus terrestris: its benefits for your sex life, composition, dosage

Tribulus terrestris, also known as Maltese Cross

Tribulus terrestris is a rampant plant native to the world’s tropical regions but which thrives in dry soil and maritime conditions. It grows to a maximum height of 50cm and produces subtle yellow flowers, often obscured by the long leaves that grow all along its stems (1).

But it is above all the plant’s fruit which has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda (2) and to which it owes its reputation as an ‘all-purpose plant’. Capable of puncturing a bicycle tyre, the fruit’s distinctive sharp and very tough thorns are in the shape of a Maltese Cross, hence the plant’s alternative name (3).

Composition and active ingredients of tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris has for some years been attracting the interest of medical researchers and phytotherapists, giving rise to numerous studies aimed at pinpointing its active ingredients. Scientists have thus succeeded in identifying some large groups of beneficial molecules in the plant:

• steroidal saponins, including tribulosin and protodioscin, chemically similar to DHEA (4) ;
• beta-sitosterol-D-glucoside, a promising phytosterol (5) ;
• oligosaccharides ;
• and numerous other compounds.

However, these studies have also revealed a wide variation in the contentTribulus terrestris is grown.

The plant’s benefits for sexual function and health

The benefits of Maltese Cross are primarily due to its steroidal saponins particularly tribulosin and protodioscin. These compounds enable Tribulus terrestris to support the health of the:

• sex organs as well as normal hormone activity (6-8) ;
• skin and mouth (9) ;
• immune system (10) ;
• cardiovascular system (11) ;
• nervous system(12).

Tribulus terrestris is thus widely consumed in the form of dietary supplements designed to support sexual function in both men and women. In addition to this sexuality aspect, tribulus is also popular with many sportspeople who use the plant’s benefits to support their performance.

Dosage: how much Tribulus terrestris should you take?

The traditional dosage for Tribulus terrestris in Ayurveda and in all the traditional systems of medicine in which it is used is largely empirical and varies from one region to another (13). This is probably because of the wide disparity in the plant’s steroidal saponin content.

With high-quality extracts standardised to 40% saponins, as is the case for our supplement Tribulus terrestris, the recommended dose is 1500mg a day, but you can, of course, ask your therapist for advice on the right dose for your particular needs. We should point out that at the doses generally recommended, Tribulus terrestris has not resulted in any adverse side-effects (14).

Some natural substances to take alongside Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris can be combined with various natural compounds:

• the plant Avena sativa, which supports urogenital health and helps to revitalise the body;
• catuaba bark, a small, vigorous tree from northern Brazil;
• epimedium, a plant often used in traditional Chinese medicine;
• and extract of Muira puama, a tree with a grey-coloured trunk sometimes referred to as ‘Potency Wood’

These various ingredients can be found, amongst others, in synergistic formulations (such as the well-known supplement for men Prosexual Formula Man).