Gokshura (puncture vine)

Tribulus terrestris · 蒺藜

Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

Also called Puncture vine, Caltrops, Goat's head

Pinyin: Jí Lí

Spanish: Abrojo

Sanskrit: गोक्षुर (Gokshura)

Does not reliably raise testosterone

Gokshura, or puncture vine, is a spiny plant used for urine flow and men's health, but it has not reliably raised testosterone in people.

Did you know? Its Sanskrit name is often explained as 'cow's hoof,' because the spiny fruit looks like small hooves.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used in Ayurveda to help urine flow. Most evidence is from animal and lab studies.
Traditional proof
Sexual health. Traditional use for sexual health. Human results are mixed, and no good trial shows a clear gain.
Traditional proof
Men's health. Sold to boost testosterone. Reviews of human trials found no reliable boost from the herb itself.
Not supported

Parts of the body

Hormones & reproduction, Kidneys & bladder

Traditional use

In Ayurveda, gokshura is used for urinary problems, weak stamina and sexual health. In Chinese medicine, the fruit (ji li) is used for itchy skin, eye problems and to soothe the liver.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Diuretic, Aphrodisiac, Tonic. Energy: neutral.
Ayurveda: Calms Vata and Pitta. Taste (rasa): sweet. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): sweet. Mutrala (diuretic), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Balya (strength).
Chinese medicine: 蒺藜 Calm liver & extinguish wind. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Liver channel.

How people take it

Supplements usually provide 250 to 750 mg of extract a day. Traditional doses are a few grams of fruit powder, taken as a decoction.

Powder, decoction and capsule.

Where to get it

A spreading, low plant with spiny fruit that grows in warm, dry regions of India, Africa, southern Europe and Asia. Sold as fruit powder, extracts and capsules, often in men's sexual health and sports products.

Be careful

Can cause stomach upset, dizziness or headache. It may lower blood pressure or blood sugar, so people on those medicines should be careful. Chinese medicine advises caution in pregnancy and in people with blood deficiency or weak qi, and long-term safety is not well studied.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; low blood pressure; diabetes medicines.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are used in Ayurvedic men's vitality blends.
Works well together
Both are traditional Ayurvedic men's and strength herbs.
Works well together
Both are classic Ayurvedic diuretic herbs for swelling.
Works well together
Varunadi vati also includes gokshura.
Works well together
Varunadi vati also includes gokshura, a classic diuretic herb.
Use caution
Blood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
May lower blood pressure, which can add to the effect of blood pressure medicines.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
May lower blood sugar, which can add to the effect of diabetes medicines.
Worth knowing
Water pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
Has urine-increasing effects in animal studies, which may add to diuretics.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

Adds up with others that may lower blood pressure: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 12 more.

The honest take

Gokshura is sold as a testosterone booster, but reviews of human trials found no reliable boost. Its use for urine flow and sexual health is traditional, with mostly animal and lab evidence. Long-term safety is not well studied.