Tribulus Terrestris
Also known as: Puncture Vine, Gokshura, Caltrop, Tribulus terrestris L., TT
Effective Dosage
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. The provided research suggests it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with one small clinical trial showing it may help reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage markers in CrossFit athletes at 770 mg/day over 6 weeks. Animal studies suggest it may protect against reproductive toxicity and pulmonary hypertension, but these findings have not been confirmed in human trials.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't boost testosterone — no provided studies show this in humans. Won't build muscle or improve athletic performance directly. The libido and 'natural testosterone booster' claims plastered on most products have no support from the studies reviewed here. Don't expect it to work like a hormone replacement.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Tribulus terrestris extract shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in both animal and limited human studies; in CrossFit athletes, 770 mg/day for 6 weeks attenuated exercise-induced oxidative stress markers (LDH, CRP, TAS) compared to placebo (PMID: 36498228). In rodent models, TT extract protected against triclosan-induced reproductive and hepatic toxicity (PMID: 41382328) and hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via HIF/NF-κB signaling modulation (PMID: 41687517). Plant-based studies also demonstrate its genoprotective and cytoprotective potential against pesticide-induced damage (PMID: 41407821).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic or bioavailability data in the provided studies
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human clinical trials in the provided data are very small (as few as 7 people per group), making results unreliable
- Commonly marketed as a testosterone booster, but none of the provided studies demonstrate this effect in humans
- Often used in multi-ingredient blends, making it impossible to isolate its specific effects
- Animal and plant-cell studies dominate the evidence base — results may not translate to humans
- Appears in 1,000+ registered supplement products despite weak human clinical evidence
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06