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Herbs and plants

Tribulus — natural performance enhancer for men or a myth?

Sources: 5 · Article: 8 748 characters

Henryk Różański describes tribulus as an herb believed to raise testosterone and increase libido.

  • Extracts are said to promote muscle growth and strength, and reports after using the preparations describe improved erections and increases in sperm count, motility, and viability.
  • The effects of a preparation and satisfaction with it may vary depending on its dose and composition.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

An appropriate dose of tribulus is said to raise natural testosterone levels.

„At an appropriate dose, it raises natural, endogenous testosterone levels, but at the same time blocks androgen receptors in the prostate gland. This may reduce inflammation and swelling of the prostate, make urination easier, and reduce pain during urination.”W odpowiedniej dawce podnosi poziom naturalnego, endogennego testosteronu, ale równocześnie blokuje receptory androgenowe w gruczole krokowym, przez co może zmniejszać stan zapalny i obrzęk prostaty, ułatwiać oddawanie moczu i zmniejszać ból podczas mikcji.
Buzdyganek ziemny – Tribulus terrestris L.
Henryk Różański

The effects of a preparation and satisfaction with it may vary depending on its dose and composition.

„The effect of a tribulus preparation depends on its dose, its steroidal saponin content, and the ratio of phytosterols to saponins and flavonoids. This is why the effects of taking tribulus vary, as does patients’ level of satisfaction. The quality and precision of a preparation developed for athletes determine the effect it will have in a living organism.”To, w jakim kierunku preparat buzdyganka zadziała zależy od dawki, zawartości saponin sterydowych i stosunku fitosteroli do saponin oraz flawonoidów. Stąd efekty po podawaniu buzdyganka są różne i stopień zadowolenia pacjentów zróżnicowany. Jakość i precyzja opracowania preparatu dla sportowców decyduje o efekcie jaki przyniesie w żywym organizmie.
Buzdyganek ziemny – Tribulus terrestris L.
Henryk Różański

In Turkey and Bulgaria, tribulus is considered an herb that boosts male libido.

„In Turkey and Bulgaria, tribulus is considered an herb that boosts a man's sexual abilities (libido). In medicine, it is used to treat urinary disorders, inflammation of the prostate gland, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, and diseases of the liver, kidneys, and circulatory system.”W Turcji i Bułgarii buzdyganek jest uważany za zioło podnoszące zdolności seksualne mężczyzny (libido). W medycynie stosowane w leczeniu zaburzeń oddawania moczu, stanów zapalnych gruczołu krokowego, nadciśnienia, podniesionego poziomu cholesterolu we krwi, chorób wątroby, nerek i układu krążenia.
Buzdyganek ziemny – Tribulus terrestris L.
Henryk Różański

Extracts are said to increase free testosterone, promote muscle growth, and improve physical strength.

„Tribulus extracts increase free testosterone levels and stimulate the release of gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The resulting effects include stimulated muscle growth, an increase in the number of red blood cells, and greater physical strength.”Wyciągi z buzdyganka zwiększają poziom wolnego testosteronu, pobudzają uwalnianie gonadotropiny, lutropiny LH i folikulostymuliny FSH. Efektami tego są: pobudzenie wzrostu mięśni, podniesienie liczby erytrocytów we krwi oraz zwiększenie siły fizycznej.
Buzdyganek ziemny – Tribulus terrestris L.
Henryk Różański

After taking tribulus preparations, improved erections and increases in sperm count, motility, and viability have been reported.

„Support for penile erections is linked to the release of nitric oxide at nerve endings near the erectile bodies of the penis. Reports describe increases in sperm count, motility, and viability in semen, as well as a clear improvement in ejaculation (the expulsion of semen and the volume of semen) after taking tribulus preparations.”Wspomaganie wzwodu prącia jest związane z uwalnianiem tlenku azotu do zakończeń nerwowych w pobliżu ciał jamistych prącia. Istnieją doniesienia o zwiększaniu liczby, ruchliwości i żywotności plemników w nasieniu i wyraźnym poprawieniu ejakulacji (wytrysku nasienia i porcji /ilości/ nasienia) po podawaniu preparatów buzdyganka.
Buzdyganek ziemny – Tribulus terrestris L.
Henryk Różański

Tribulus is said to raise testosterone and increase libido.

„It raises blood testosterone levels. It increases libido.[4] Therefore, it is an herb typically associated with men. Tribulus is not recommended for women because it may intensify the masculinizing effects of androgens. Tribulus can stimulate ovarian theca cells to produce androgens in women.”Podnosi poziom testosteronu we krwi. Zwiększa libido.[4] Zatem jest to zioło typowo męskie. Tribulus nie jest wskazany dla kobiet, bowiem może potęgować wpływ maskulinizujący androgenów. Tribulus jest zdolny do stymulowania komórek wnękowych jajnika do produkcji androgenów u kobiet.
Buzdyganek–Tribulus w praktycznej terapii i w medycynie sportowej. Doustny Tribulus nie dla wszystkich kobiet.
Henryk Różański

Tribulus is described as an aphrodisiac that increases sexual desire.

„It is considered an aphrodisiac, meaning a substance that increases sexual desire (libido). It stimulates digestion, relaxes muscles, and stimulates liver function[5],[6]. It relieves muscle and nerve pain. It is said to cleanse the blood.[7] It soothes coughs and prevents asthma attacks.”Uznawany jest za afrodyzjak, czyli środek nasilający popęd płciowy (libido). Pobudza trawienie. Rozluźnia mięśnie, stymuluje czynności wątroby[5],[6]. Znosi bóle mięśni i nerwów. Jest środkiem odtruwającym krew.[7] Łagodzi kaszel i hamuje ataki astmy.
Buzdyganek–Tribulus w praktycznej terapii i w medycynie sportowej. Doustny Tribulus nie dla wszystkich kobiet.

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 77.

A meta-analysis found that tribulus improved erectile function scores in men with erectile dysfunction, but did not significantly increase testosterone.

Aim of the study: Tribulus terrestris is a medicinal herb purported to enhance reproductive function, particularly in instances of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of administering Tribulus terrestris to patients with ED.

Results: Additionally, on both the IIEF-5 [MD 3.23 (95%CI 1.89, 4.58), p < 0.00001] and IIEF-15 [MD 14.44 (95%CI 5.75, 23.14), p = 0.001], Tribulus terrestris outperformed placebo. However, the two groups were not significantly different in terms of total testosterone levels. We observed no difference in the incidence of adverse events between Tribulus terrestris and placebo. Tribulus terrestris supplementation may offer benefits in improving erectile function among patients with ED with a relatively good safety profile.

Tribulus terrestris for management of patients with erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. · Int J Impot Res 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A review found improved erections in some studies, but most reported no significant changes in androgen profiles.

Aim of the study: Background: Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae (TT) is a plant that has been claimed to increase testosterone levels and improve sexual function, particularly erectile dysfunction, with potential benefits for male sexual health.

Results: TT supplementation at doses of 400 to 750 mg/d for 1 to 3 months improved erectile dysfunction in 3 of the 5 studies that assessed this parameter. Eight out of ten studies did not report significant changes in androgen profile following TT supplementation, but the subjects in the neutral studies did not have low androgen levels at baseline. Therefore, only 2 studies showed significant intra-group increase in total testosterone levels, which had low clinical magnitude (60-70 ng/dL) and involved subjects with hypogonadism. Conclusions: TT supplementation has a low level of evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction, and no robust evidence was found for increasing testosterone levels.

Effects of Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.) Supplementation on Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels in Men-A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. · Nutrients 2025
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · University of Brasília—DPI/BCE/UnB
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyreview of many studies
Participants483

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a study of men with late-onset hypogonadism, testosterone levels and erectile function scores increased after 3 months of taking tribulus.

Aim of the study: Aging is associated with a series of morphological and functional modifications that leads to reduced physiological efficiency and atrophy of various organs and systems. Tribulus terrestris induces its effect in fertility and sexual functions through the steroidal saponins, particularly the dominant saponins protodioscin.

Results: Moreover, there were significant elevations in the means of both total testosterone together with the score of the validated Arabic index of erectile function (5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function) (2.2, 10.7 (before), 2.7, 16.1 (after), p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Finally, the mean of the total prostate-specific antigen was elevated in this group (1.4 (before), 1.7 (before), p = 0.007, respectively). Interestingly, there were no worsening of the lower urinary tract symptoms in group A as there was no change in the mean score of the international prostate symptom score, which was used to assess these symptoms before and after treatment (mean 14.4 (before), 14.6 (after), p = 0.67, respectively).

Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with late-onset hypogonadism: A placebo-controlled study. · Urologia 2019
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants70

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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