Ayurvedic Medicine
A great portion of essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy has its roots on Ayurveda, an ancient form of Indian herbal medicine. Starting about 5000 years ago with the colonization of the Ganga river plains, what was once a nomad society used the fertile land to settle into an agricultural community. As it grew, soon enough philosophers began raising questions about the relationship between man and nature, establishing colonies outside the urban areas that soon developed into learning centers called ashrams.
After extensive research and experimentation, they concluded that every element in nature has a specific purpose, with each one of them maintaining a complex balance between themselves. Inappropriate interaction with nature can cause pain and disease, while an informed approach will result in healing and happiness. Furthermore, they realized that each patient is unique and, therefore, requires customized treatments.
Armed with this knowledge, the philosophers compiled an encyclopedia made up of four volumes: the Vedas. Rig-Veda and Atharva-Veda contained several references to the medicinal treatment of diseases, and were later systematized and renamed Ayurveda.
The recent translation of many original texts into western languages led to a rise in popularity of Ayurvedic medicine.
Tribulus terrestris extract
| Name: |
Tribulus terrestris |
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| Synonyms |
Gokhru, Chhota Gokhru, Caltrop, Njerinjil |
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| Biological source: |
It consists of dried ripe fruits of Tribulus terrestris belongs to family Zygophyllaceae. Fruits & Roots are used for medicinal purposes. |
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| Introduction: |
It is a perennial trailing plant used widely in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of various urinary disorders including Urolithiasis. It is a natural herb, commonly known as the puncture vine, that has been used for the treatment for impotence and as a stimulant to enhance sexual drive and performance. This powerful extract can elevate testosterone levels safely and its effects have been coveted by Bulgarian athletes for decades. Tribulus works extremely well if taken in conjugation with DHEA. Tribulus serves as an alternative and safe body building supplement. The increase of low testosterone level, LH, FSH and estradiol, facilitates muscle growth, muscle strength, muscle recuperation and overall muscle building.
The extract is popularly used as a sport nutrient in USA. It exhibited dose-dependent antiurolithiatic activity and almost completely inhibited stone formation. It has been used as a styptic in China & Vietnam in the treatment of Post-partam haemorrhage, epistaxis and gastro intestinal bleeding. It is a south African remedy for inflammation and arthritis. It has antioxidant and hypolipidaemic activities.
Tribulus extract (TT-040) is prepared by Crystallising the alcohol extract of the whole plant. Arjuna's product is an ideal and safe non-hormonal sports nutrition supplement, excellent bioavailability, dramatically & safely increases sex drive etc.
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| Geographical Source: |
It is an annual, prostrate, yellow flowered herb growing wild throughout the plains of India up to 6000m attitude. It is seen in the tropical road sides and is a common weed of waste places. It is distributed also in the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. |
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| Description: |
The dried and ripe fruits of Tribulus are yellowish globose and spiny-each having five woody spiny Cocci. Hirsute, Prostrate herb, leaves opposite, stipulate, leaflets 4 to7 pairs, almost sessile, flowers yellow, solitary, extraaxillay, sepals 5, stamens 10, spinous, tuberculate, Schizocarp; separating into 5 cocci. |
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| Chemical constituents: |
The fruits contain 20 to 40% steroidal saponins which on hydrolysis gives diosgenin, ruscogenin and gitogenin. Three flavone glucosides, traces of alkaloids - Harman and harmine, fixed oil and potassium nitrate have also been reported from the fruits. The active substance of Tribulus are specific phytosterols (tetracyclic lipophil triterpene derivatives) such as saponins and protodioscin. |
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| Mechanism of Action: |
Tribulus lowers hyperoxaluria, by converting glycolate into glyoxylate, by inhibiting the enzyme GAO at the II oxidation step, thereby resulting in glyoxylate accumulation and its rapid removal through urinary excretion. Protodioscin, an important constituent of tribulus will increase the spermatozoa concentration, mobility as well as to improve libido, sex drive, ejaculation etc. It has anti-inflammatory and cancer chemo preventive action by inhibiting INOS activity, Cox-2 activity, prostaglandin production and nitric oxide production.
It increases the level of several hormones including Testosterone, the Luteinizing Hormone (LH), the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol. This increase, enhances the muscle building activities. It contain a colouring substance called Rutin with antioxidative effects, thus prevents the Saponins from being oxidated by free radicals. |
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| Clinical indications: |
1. As Body Building Supplement: Numerous clinical studies and blood work have confirmed the efficacy of Bulgarian. Tribulus containing protodioscin, which are believed to increase the level of several hormones including testosterone, LH, FSH & estradiol which enhances body building activities. (Ref:12)
2. For treating sexual deficiencies: One follow-up- study, conducted on healthy men aged 28-45, showed that 3 doses of 250mg taken evenly through out the day for just 5 days, elevated the testosterone levels by 30% or more. In addition, subjects saw an increase in libido frequency and strength of erections and recovery from sexual activity. (Ref:4)
3. Antiurolithiatic activity: Evaluation of antiurolithiatic activity of Tribulus was done in rats against artificially induced urolithiasis. The conclusion is supported by the elevated levels of calcium, phosphate and oxalate contents in the urine of rats indicating their retention in the bladder. Treatment with the plant extract inhibited the deposition of salts around the nucleus thereby preventing the development of stone. (Ref:2)
4. In coronary heart disease: Among 406 cases of Angina pectoris in coronary heart disease treated with saponin of Tribulus terrestris, which dilates the coronary artery. Remission was 82% vs. 67% in controls. (Ref:11)
5. Against colic pains: A study investigated the effects of lyophilized saponin mixture of this plant on several smooth muscle preparations in vitro. The LD50 of saponin mixture on albino mice were calculated. According to these results, it has been suggested that Tribulus extract may be useful on some smooth muscle spasms or colic pains.(Ref:10) |
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Side effect and Toxicity:
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Just as with any supplement, caution should be exercised when considering taking tribulus also. Other side effects are photosensitization and decreased peristalsis of isolated jejunum. |
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| Contraindications and warning: |
Prolonged usage could down-regulate its effects and make it less potent and long term usage and its effects have not yet been studied, therefore cycling Tribulus terrestris usage might be advantageous.
Cycling schemes include a 3 week "on cycle" followed by a 1-3 week "off cycle", or a descending dosage pattern such as 4-6 weeks "on" followed by 3-6 weeks "off". |
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| Dosage: |
General recommended dosage can vary from 250-750mg extract per day, depending on individual need. Body builders and athlets have reported excellent benefits from a dosage of 1 capsule (250mg) 3 times per day with meals for a period of 40-90 days. |
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| References: |
1. S.K. Gupta &.D. Pathak, Review on phytochemical & pharmacological aspects of Tribulus, Ind Drugs August 34,1997.
2. Anand, B.N. Dhawan, Evaluaton of Antiurolithiatic activity of Tribulus, In .J . Pharm, 32, 217,1994.
3. Yan W. Kasai R. Steroidal Saponins from the fruits of Tribulus. Phytochemistry ,1417,1994 Jul 4.
4. K.M. Arsyad. Effect on Protodioscin on quantity & quality of sperms from males. Medical Biology Division of Andrology, Medika 22 (8), 614,1996.
5. H. Sidhu, S.K. Thind, Effect of Tribulus on oxalate metabolism in rats J. Eth. 44, 61, 1994.
6. G. Santhakumari & G.Y Iyer. Preliminary studies on the diuretic effects of Tribulus, Ind. J. Med. Res; 55, 7, July 1997.
7. Anonymous, "The wealth of India", Raw materials Vol X, 1982, C.S.I.R, N.D, Pg. 283.
8. Nadkarni, K.M. Indian Material Medica 1993, 1:1129.
9.Punnonen, R., Lukola, A., Oestrogen like effect of Tribulus. Br. Med. J. 1980, 281: 1110.
10. Sandberg, Clinical effects of Tribulus preparations, Z. Prakt Klin Geriat 1974; 4: 264.
11. Chen X Cardio vascular protection by Tribulus. Clin Exp. Pha. Phys. 1996; 23; 728.
12. Propov, I. M., Gold wag W.J. A review of properties and clinical effects of Ginseng. A.M.J. Chin. Med. 1, 263,1973. |
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