Family : Zygophyllaceae

English : Land caltrops, Small caltrops

Hindi : Gokharu

Gujarati : Nanu gokhru, Bethu gokhru

Sanskrit : Gokhshura, Shvadamstra

Part used : Fruit

Botanical Description: An annual prostrate herb with many slender spreading branches and silky villous young parts; leaves pinnate, opposite, leaflets among sessile, round or oblique at the base, mucronate at the apex; flowers bright yellow, solitary, pseudo axillary or leaf opossed.

It is found throughout India.

Modern Pharmacological Action: Tribulus terrestris possesses anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle relaxation and diuretic actions, which are useful in genitourinary infections, painful micturition, hematuria, dysuria and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The diuretic activity of Tribulus terrestris helps relieve associated subclinical urinary insufficiency and also helps to reduce post-void urine. Moreover, it possess antibacterial activity against susceptible micro-organisms and helps prevent symptoms of urethritis and prostatitis. The diuretic activity of Tribulus terrestris helps relieve associated subclinical urinary insufficiency and also helps to reduce post-void urine. It also stimulates the production of Luteinizing Hormone (LH). When LH levels are elevated, the natural production of testosterone increases.