Complete guide to Tribulus

Although used as a form of traditional medicine for centuries, tribulus supplements have recently become popular due to how they can influence sexual health and improve athletic performance.

In folk medicine, tribulus terrestris is used as a diuretic, analgesic, and appetite stimulant, as well as a treatment for kidney stones, high blood pressure, and urinary tract infections. But what does the research say about these health benefits?

Sexual health

Research on whether tribulus terrestris boosts libido is mixed, but the results remain inconclusive. 

For premenopausal women struggling with low libido, there's some evidence the dietary supplement can boost desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction, according to a 2018 clinical trial published in Gynecological Endocrinology. However, this was a small study that only included 40 participants and larger studies are needed to better understand the potential health benefits.

Tribulus has also been studied in men battling erectile dysfunction and low libido. A 2017 clinical trial found that men given a tribulus supplement reported better sexual function, satisfaction, desire, and orgasm than men given the placebo.

Although promising, clinical trials evaluating the benefits of tribulus on male sexual health have been inconsistent in terms of what researchers were studying - erectile dysfunction, low libido, or both - and the tools used to assess effectiveness - laboratory data measuring hormone levels against a subjective questionnaire.

However, other studies have subsequently demonstrated the effectiveness of tribulus in improving libido as well as erection in men. This is why you will find tribulus in many of our natural food supplements dedicated to sexuality.

Athletic performance

Tribulus Terrestris is a popular supplement among athletes due to its androgenic effects, or the way it stimulates testosterone production. Intense and prolonged exercise suppresses testosterone production, which negatively affects athletic performance. Tribulus supplementation can boost testosterone, preventing this drop in performance. 

However, a 2021 clinical study of CrossFit-trained athletes found that tribulus supplementation did not improve athletic performance or body composition. The authors noted that more research is needed to determine the potential benefits of tribulus terrestris supplements for athletes and gym goers.

Another study involving a group of highly trained boxers, published in 2017 in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, found no improvement in muscle mass or testosterone levels when supplementing with tribulus terrestris. However, the trained boxers experienced less muscle damage and improvements in their anaerobic performance - high intensity training.

Arterial pressure

In animal studies, tribulus terrestris may lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. However, it is unknown if this herbal supplement provides the same benefits to humans.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are a common condition that causes severe abdominal pain. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, tribulus terrestris is used to treat kidney stones.

The herb may reduce the risk of kidney stones by increasing urination. Current research on the potential health benefits of tribulus terrestris for kidney stones is limited to animal studies.