Learn how extracts of two local weedy species, Tribulus terrestris and Fadogia agrestis, increase the testosterone (male hormone) level of the blood. The aqueous extracts may thus be used to modify impaired functions in humans with their saponin components. Indeed, the saponin component of plants can be enhancing aphrodisiac properties due to its androgen increasing property. Until now, these herbs have been widely used in the management of male dysfunction most especially erectile dysfunction. However, the validity of these claims as aphrodisiacs has been proved.
Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae. It is commonly called devil's thorn, puncture vine, caltrop, yellow vine and goathead. In the French, it is croix de Malte and abrolhos in Portuguese. Meanwhile, Fadogia agrestis, of plant family, Rubiaceae, is called ''The aphrodisiac'' which the potentials of these herbs were confirmed.
According to The Useful Plants, the fruit and leaf decoctions of Tribulus terrestris are taken as diuretics, tonic and aphrodisiac. you can take a leaf infusion for gonorrhoea treatment. Its use against diarrhoea and gastritis is recorded too. The Seed ground can be made into pap and drink for swollen stomach.
The plant is also put onto withlows. It is used against rheumatism too. The root has astringent properties".
On Fadogia agrestis, The root-decoction is used in Upper Volta in a general way for diarrhoea and stomach ache, and sometimes for blennorrhea (any free discharge of mucus, especially a gonorrheal discharge from the urethra). For toothache a piece of root is sucked and juice swallowed. The hard woody root-stock is used medicinally in prescriptions to increase virility.
A decoction is drunk for kidney pains and the leaves are embrocated topically. The fruit is fleshy, but not edible". Tribulus terrestris may work by relaxing smooth muscles and increasing blood flow into the corpus cavernosa (genital area).
"The relaxant effect observed is probably due to the increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nerve endings. Since Tribulus relaxes smooth muscles, this may account for its benefits in abdominal colic. It is possible that Tribulus may trigger release of testosterone,"Fadogia agrestis has been used for decades as a natural cure for erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac. The plant as a prostate, decumbent, yearly herb, stems to BE 90 cm long, of fields, "The fruit is armed with thorns rendering it a sort of calthrop, a menace to the feet of both man and cattle. The spiny burs entangle with the coat of stock and penetrate the flesh and harvested crops contaminated with burs are lowered in value.
Scattered on paths and roads, they have been known to puncture bicycle and car tyres, the name was acquired from South-East United States, 'puncture vine'", Fadogia agrestis is 'a woody herb or shrub, multi-stemmed, from a woody base; of savanna woods and meadows; The aqueous extract of the Fadogia agrestis stem may be adduced to increase in the testosterone level of the blood, which may be due to its saponin component. The aqueous extract of the Fadogia agrestis stem may thus be used to modify impaired functions in animals, especially those arising from hypotestoster-onemia (primary organ failure or secondary to pituitary failure)". The aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus terrestris extract (protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats found Tribulus to be a booster.
The behaviour and intracavernous pressure (ICP) in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of Tribulus as an aphrodisiac. ICP refers to blood flow into the corpus cavernosa. Adult rats were divided into groups of eight each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated) and Tribulus treated (castrated). Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or Tribulus extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP.
There is also a mild to moderate improvement in behaviour as evidence to an increase in mounting frequency. Protodioscin (a saponin) is a phytochemical agent derived from the herbal plant Tribulus terrestris. It has been clinically tested extensively, and is found to improve drive and to enhance erection in men. The mechanism of protodioscins action is suspected to involve its conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as well as testosterone. Tribulus terrestris may also have an influence on testosterone release.
The tribulus has an influence on androgen receptors, which are located on brain cells in the hypothalamus. Phytochemical analysis indicates that the fruits of Tribulus contain a number of different substances including saponins (protodioscin, furostanol), glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, and essential oil. Recently, two new saponins have been isolated from Tribulus terrestris: Terrestrinins A and B. While the phytochemical screening of Fadogis agrestis revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins while anthraquinones and flavonoids are weakly present.
Besides improving functions, Fadogia agrestis and Tribulus terrestris have been reported to have a wide range of health benefits. In Turkey, Tribulus terrestris is commonly used in folk medicine for blood pressure and cholesterol. In Europe, Tribulus has been used in folk medicine throughout history, as far back as the Greeks, for wide-ranging conditions as headache, nervous disorders, constipation, and dysfunctions. In China and India, Tribulus terrestris has been touted for use in liver, kidney, urinary, and cardiovascular remedies.
The tonic properties of Tribulus terrestris has been tested to the effects of ginseng, but these occur due to entirely different mechanisms. Claims have been made that it enhances testosterone levels by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. LH is responsible for "telling" the body to produce testosterone. One interesting fact is that extended use of anabolic steroids reduces levels of LH, thus reducing and sometimes shutting down the body's production of testosterone. It is also claimed that Tribulus terrestris increases testosterone by increasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which in turn stimulates the production of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Testosterone, besides its role in muscle-building and raising fertility and libido, is also known to have a positive effect on bone marrow activity (for red blood cell production) and the immune system.
On the other hand, The T terrestris caused no increase in testosterone or LH in young men, and another commercial supplement containing androstenedione and herbal extracts, including T. terrestris, was no more effective at raising testosterone levels than androstenedione alone. Tribulus terrestris has been studied in China and found to reduce the frequency of angina pectoris (heart attack). Tribulus also have anti-microbial and anti-tumour potential. There is not yet any good evidence that Tribulus enhances athletic performance. Tribulus terrestris has been shown to lower blood levels of cholesterol, and, in addition, may have antioxidant properties.
Tribulus has also been shown to lower blood pressure in rats with hypertension and has a blood sugar lowering effect. The saponins from Tribulus terrestris inhibited the growth of a certain type of liver cancer cell line.
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