Tribulus terrestris, commonly known as puncture vine, gokshura, or caltrop, is a small, spreading herbaceous plant belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family. Native to warm temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, it thrives in dry, sandy soils and is known for its hard, spiny fruits that can puncture bicycle tires—hence the name “puncture vine.”

The plant has small, fern-like leaves, yellow flowers, and produces sharp, burr-like seed pods. In Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani systems, Tribulus terrestris is highly valued for its rejuvenating and energizing properties. It has been traditionally used as a tonic for the urinary and reproductive systems, particularly for enhancing libido, fertility, and muscle strength.

Phytochemically, the plant contains saponins, especially protodioscin, which is believed to contribute to its hormone-regulating effects—although scientific evidence on its testosterone-boosting properties is mixed. It is also used for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and cardioprotective benefits.

Family Name: ZYGOPHLLACEAE

Botanical Name: TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

Common Name: LAND CALTROPS, PUNCTURE VINE, GOKHRU

Part Used: WHOLE PLANT, SEEDS

Uses: The roots and fruits are sweet, cooling, emollient, appetiser, alternate, Laxative, cardio tonic, styptic, Lithontriptic and tonic. They are useful in strangury, dysuria, vitiated conditions of Vat and Pita, renal and vesicle calculi, anorexia, dyspepsia, helminthiasis, cough, asthma. The seeds are astringent, strengthening and are useful in epitasis, haemorrhages and ulcerative stomatitis. The ash of the whole plant is good for external application in rheum arthritis.