Gokshura
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Gokshura |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Tribulus terrestris L. |
| Family | Zygophyllaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Tribulus terrestris L. (family Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as Gokshura, is an annual Mediterranean-climate herb widely utilized in traditional Ayurvedic and Asian medicine systems. The therapeutic profile of Gokshura is driven by its bioactive constituents, predominantly steroidal saponins (furostanol and spirostanol glycosides), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives), and trace alkaloids. Protodioscin, a primary furostanol saponin, serves as the principal biomarker for standardizing pharmaceutical extracts.
English name
Land caltrops, Puncture vine
Therapeutic use
- Gokshura (root)-Mainly used in Urinary disorders, dysuria (mutrakrichhra), premature ejaculation, dyspnoea with bronchial asthma (shwasa), heart diseases(hridroga), cough (kasa), diseases due to vata dosha, abdominal colic (shularoga), renal calculi (ashmari)
- Gokshura (Fruit)-Abdominal colic (shula roga), dyspnoea(shwasa), hemorrhoids (arsha), generalized weakness(daurbalya), heart diseases (hridroga), cough(kasa), difficulty in micturition (mutrakrichhra), renal calculi (ashmari), obstinate Urinary disorders including diabetes mellitus (prameha)[1]
Other varieties/ Other botanical names
- Tribulus terrestris var. bicornutus
- Tribulus terrestris var. inermis
- Tribulus terrestris var. robustus
- Tribulus terrestris var. terrestris
Identification Characters
- Chanadruma – Herbaceous plant with leaves resembling leaves of Chana (Bengal gram).
- Gokantaka – Fruits of Gokshura has spines which pricks grazing cattle.
- Kshuraka – The fruits bears sharp spines.
- Shvadamshtra – Fruits of Gokshura has spines resembling canines of dog.
- Trikantaka – Fruits bears three spines.
- Kantaphala – Fruits have spines.
Types
- Brihat Gokshura – Pedalium murex
- Laghu Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Shwadanshtra, Kshurak, Trikantaka, Svadukantak, Gokantak, Gokshurak, Vanshrugant, Palankasha, Ikshugandhika
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Heavy (guru), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify vata and pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/12 | Asthapana(herb used in therapeutic enema) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/22 | Mutrakrichhrahara yavagu(gruel for dysuria) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(15) | Krimighna(anthelmintic) mahakashaya |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(26) | Anuvasanopaga (sub – unctuous enema) mahakashaya |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(35) | Mootravirechaniya (sub – unctuous enema) mahakashaya |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(38) | Shwayathuhara(reducing edema) mahakashaya |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhura skandha (group of sweet drugs) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/12 | Santarpanajanya vikara (over nutrition and it’s disorders) chikitsa |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/15 | Santarpanajanya vikar(over nutrition and it’s disorders) chikitsa |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha(from the collections of best food articles, factors and drugs in various conditions) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana
1/1/42 |
As an ingredient of Brahma rasayana |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/1/26 | Ingredient in Brumhaniya Gutika |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/2/5 | Ingredient in Apatyakari Shashtikadi Gutika |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/3/8 | Ingredient in Apatyakar Kshir Yoga |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/3/14 | Ingredient in Vrushyapayas Yoga |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/4/28 | Ingredient in Apatyakar Ghrita |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/182 | Used as peya with where jwara is associated with Parshvashoola, Bastishoola, shirashoola. |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/224 | As an ingredient of Baladi Ghrita |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/236 | Used as ksheerpaka in varch-mutra vibandha(constipation) and shopha(edema) |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/234 | Used as Panchamuli shruta paya in Kasa, Shvasa, Shirashoola, Parshvashoola, Jwara |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/241 | As an ingredient of Patoladi niruha basti |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/84 | As an ingredient of Drakshadi yoga |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/85 | Used in Mutragata raktapitta (bleeding from urinary tract) |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/67 | To increase effect of Trayushanaadi ghrita |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/97 | Mixed with Shilajit prayoga |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/143 | Ingredient in Bhallatakadya Ghrita for Kaphaj Gulma(abdominal lumps) |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/149 | Ingredient of Mishrak Sneha |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/167 | Panak in Kaphaj Gulma(abdominal lumps) |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/65 | Ingredient in Mustadi Churna |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/81 | Ingredient in Triphalasava |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/52 | Ingredient in Apara Lashunadya Ghrita |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/18 | Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/50 | Ingredient in Kansaharitaki Avaleha |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/65 | In treatment of Vatodara for anuvasan basti(oily enema) |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/113 | As an ingredient of Panchakola ghrita |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/82 | As an ingredient of Dashamuladya ghrita |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/156 | As an ingredient of Mulasava |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/173 | As an ingredient of Pipallimuladya Kshara |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/94 | Used in yusha preparation for hikka svasa |
| 41 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana
17/102 |
Used in yavagu(dietary gruel) preparation for hikka svasa |
| 42 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana
17/96 |
Used in yusha preparation for hikka svasa |
| 43 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana
17/105 |
Dasamula kwath is used in condition of trishna(thirst) in terms of patients of hikka svasa |
| 44 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/140 | As an ingredient of Dashamuladhya ghrita |
| 45 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/89 | As an ingredient of leha yoga in treatment of Pittaja kasa |
| 46 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/127 | As an ingredient of Kantakari ghrita |
| 47 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/21 | As a pramathya(decoction) dravya |
| 48 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/26 | As a Ingridient of dipaniya(digestive stimulant) and sangrahi gana(constipationg) |
| 49 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/50 | As a yavagu dravya(ingredient of a dietary gruel) |
| 50 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/78 | Used for parisechana (pouring) in Daha (burning sensation) & shoola (pain) |
| 51 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/41 | As an ingredient of Piluparnyadi Yoga |
| 52 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/56 | As an ingredient of Shyonakdi Parisheka(poring) and Pralepa(external application) |
| 53 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/146 | As an ingredient of Shvdamstra taila |
| 54 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/168 | As an ingredient of Mulakadhya taila |
| 55 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/161 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
| 56 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/173 | As an ingredient of Mulaka taila |
| 57 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/76 | As an ingredient of Sthiradi Ghrita/Taila |
| 58 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/57 | Kshirapana in yoni shula(pain in vagina) |
Dose
- Gokshura (root): 20 – 30 gm of the drug for decoction.
- Gokshura (fruit)
- 3 – 6 gm of the drug in powder form.
- 20 – 30 gm of the drug for decoction.[2]
Important formulations
As per A.P.I.[3]
Gokshura (root)
- Sahacharadi taila
- Dashamula kwatha churna
- Dashamulakatutraya kwatha churna
- Dasamulapanchakoladi kwatha churna
Gokshura (fruit)
- Gokshuradi guggulu
- Trikantaka ghrita
- Drakshadi churna
Current availability
Available
- In India – West Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Out of India – Afghanistan, Algeria, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Austria, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, United states, Australia, New Zealand.
Current researches
Therapeutic indications and mechanisms
Sexual dysfunction and reproductive health
The most thoroughly investigated application of T. terrestris is its pro-erectile and androgenic-modulating activity. Extract administration enhances intracavernous pressure (ICP) and penile erection via nitric oxide (NO)/nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways, relaxing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in animal models.[4][5] Bioactive saponins like protodioscin also exert protective effects against toxin-induced gonadal toxicity, mitigating testicular oxidative stress and preserving androgenic parameters.[6]
Urolithiasis and renal function
Gokshura demonstrates clear anti-urolithiatic and nephroprotective efficacy. In vitro and in vivo models show that aqueous extracts diminish calcium oxalate crystallization, inhibit crystal nucleation, and reduce oxalate-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.[7] Co-administration strategies incorporating T. terrestris significantly reduce urinary oxalate excretion and prevent renal parenchymal calcification.[8]
Cardiovascular and vascular endothelial protection
Beyond urogenital targets, T. terrestris exerts vascular protective and anti-inflammatory activity. In hypertensive renal impairment, the herb protects glomerular endothelial cells by upregulating microRNA-155 (miR-155-5p) expression and downregulating target histone H2AC6 networks.[9]
Safety and clinical considerations
While standard doses of standardized extracts are well tolerated in clinical settings, excessive consumption or concentrated botanical water remedies pose acute safety risks. Isolated clinical reports highlight potential toxicities under unstandardized overuse, including severe nephrotoxicity and acute kidney injury.[10] Standardized dosing and monitoring remain critical during therapeutic administration.
References
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:25,26
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:25,26
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:25,26
- ↑ Do, J.; Choi, S.; Choi, J.; Hyun, J. S. (2013). "Effects and Mechanism of Action of a Tribulus terrestris Extract on Penile Erection". Korean Journal of Urology. 54 (3): 183. doi:10.4111/kju.2013.54.3.183.
- ↑ Gauthaman, K.; Adaikan, P. G.; Prasad, R. N. V. (2002). "Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats". Life Sciences. 71 (12): 1385–1396. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01858-1.
- ↑ Pavin, N. F.; Izaguirry, A. P.; Soares, M. B.; Spiazzi, C. C.; Mendez, A. S. L.; Leivas, F. G. (2018). "Tribulus terrestris Protects against Male Reproductive Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Mice". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2018: 5758191. doi:10.1155/2018/5758191.
- ↑ Aggarwal, A.; Tandon, S.; Singla, S. K.; Tandon, C. (2010). "Diminution of oxalate induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury and inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro by aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris". International Braz J Urol. 36 (4): 480–489. doi:10.1590/s1677-55382010000400011.
- ↑ Afkari, R.; Feizabadi, M. M.; Ansari-Moghadam, A.; Safari, T.; Bokaeian, M. (2019). "Simultaneous use of oxalate-degrading bacteria and herbal extract to reduce the urinary oxalate in a rat model: A new strategy". International Braz J Urol. 45 (6): 1249–1259. doi:10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2019.0167.
- ↑ Pei, H.-J.; Yang, J.; Hu, F.-X.; Chen, Y.-Z.; Yang, C.-H. (2021). "Tribulus terrestris L. protects glomerular endothelial cells via the miR155-H2AC6 interaction network in hypertensive renal injury". Annals of Translational Medicine. 9 (21): 1626. doi:10.21037/atm-21-5641.
- ↑ Talasaz, A. H.; Abbasi, M.-R.; Abkhiz, S.; Dashti-Khavidaki, S. (2010). "Tribulus terrestris-induced severe nephrotoxicity in a young healthy male". Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 25 (11): 3792–3793. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfq457.