Gokhru

HABITAT

Gokhru is a tropical plant found all over India. It occurs in almost any soil type but grows best in dry, loose, sandy soils and prospers near the sand dunes or loose blown soil around field margins. It also grows in heavier soils, especially when these are fertile or moist, and on compacted soils such as those found along roadside.

INTRODUCTION

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) is an Ayurvedic herb most commonly known for its immunity boosting, aphrodisiac and rejuvenation properties. Its name is derived from two Sanskrit words; ‘Go’ meaning cow and ‘Aakshura’ meaning hoof, as the fruits of this plant resemble the hooves of cows. It has a long-standing use of` being a revitalizer and energizer (increases energy).

BENEFITS

Keeps the Reproductive System Healthy: Gokhru promotes a healthy reproductive system by increasing the fertility in men and women. A great herb that works as a libido booster, this herb also increases vigor, sexual desire and addresses erectile dysfunction.

Ayurvedic View: Gokshura helps improve libido and boost vitality in both men and women due to its Vrishya (aphrodisiac) property.

Used for Body Building: A natural way to build a great and shapely body, consuming Gokhru in the prescribed dosage supplies the body with all the nutrients and minerals that are required for muscle strength.

Ayurvedic View: Gokshura enhances athletic performance by boosting your energy level and vitality due to its Guru (heavy) and Vrushya (aphrodisiac) properties.

Keeps the Bladder Ailments at Bay: Gokhru helps curing urinary diseases and other chronic diseases like kidney stones and colic. As a diuretic it normalizes urine production and its flow. It helps in the almost complete emptying of the bladder thus decreasing urine retention. It also facilitates the process of dissolving preformed kidney stones and increases the excretion of urea and uric acid.

Ayurvedic View: Gokhru gives relief in urinary problems like kidney stone, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate gland due to its Mutral (diuretic) and Sita (cold) properties. This helps to increase urine secretion and reduce the swelling and burning sensation during urination.

Good for Diabetes: Saponin present in Gokhru has blood sugar lowering properties. It helps lower the level of serum glucose, serum triglyceride, and serum cholesterol due to its antioxidant property. Gokhru gives relief in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate gland due to its Mutral (diuretic) and Sita (cold) properties. This helps to increase urine secretion and reduce the swelling and burning sensation during urination.

Ayurvedic View: Gokhru helps to control blood sugar level by removing toxins from the body due to its Mutral (diuretic) properties. It also helps to improve metabolism because of its Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) removing nature which is responsible for high blood sugar level.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

The furastanolic type saponins (protodioscin and protogracilin etc.), from T. terrestris, has stimulating effect on spermatogenesis by increase in the amount of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) produced by Pituitary gland, which stimulate the secretion of male hormone ‘Testosterone’, resulting in significant improvement in quality and quantity of sperm. T. terrestris extract improves the body’s ability to build muscle mass and strength by promoting the production luteinizing hormone, thereby stimulating the secretion of testosterones, resulting in the development of male-like characters (i.e., strong muscles and strength) with increase in sex drive, as well as production of red cells, contributing to improvement in blood circulation and good oxygen transport. In this way it works only within body’s natural limits, supporting the balanced natural hormone levels.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Pokrywka A, Obmiński Z, Lenczowska JM, et al. Insights into supplements with Tribulus terrestris used by athletes. J Hum Kinet.2014;41:99–105.
Samani NB, Jokar A, Soveid M, et al.Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris extract on the serum glucose and lipids of women with diabetes mellitus.Iran J Med Sci.2016;41(3):S5.
Akhtari E, Raisi F, Keshavarz M, et al.Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: Randomized double-blind placebo - Controlled study.Daru. 2014;22(1):40.
Sandeep PM, Bovee TF, Sreejith K. Anti-Androgenic Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC and Tribulus terrestris L. and Their Beneficial Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Induced Rat Models. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2015;13(6):248-54.