Tribulus terrestris, as it is properly called, is an herb of South Asian origin that can support reproductive function and boost libido in men and women. It does so by increasing levels of the pituitary hormone LH (Luteinizing Hormone), otherwise known as Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1), which is responsible for the initiation of testosterone.

Known by the Sanskrit name 'gokshurma' it has been used as a tonic and aphrodisiac in India and other areas round the subcontinent. It began to be used commonly in Eastern Europe in the 1970s to increase the sex drive, and its use in this respect has spread to most of the western world. Also known as the 'Puncture Vine' (the bane of cyclists!), tribulus has been used at least since ancient Greek times for the treatment of many conditions such as headache, urinary problems and sexual dysfunction. In the Far East it has been used for many purposes including liver and heart conditions.

Although scientific evidence for these effects is low, those that use it claim significant improvements in their libido, and a loss of sexual impulse when they stop taking it. This is more than a placebo effect and many claim that the medical investigations have been carried out less than adequately due to the potential social rather than medical applications of the herb. However, there is tenuous evidence that it may affect the brain cells in the hypothalamus responsible for the release of testosterone into the body.

In fact close study of these results indicates that they might well be supporting the claims made by the users of tribulus. What they show is that testosterone levels can be increased by 30% - 50% above base levels, but still within normal levels, and the argument being in that case that it does not increase testosterone above normal. Now 50% is a big increase, and if someone with a low testosterone level is brought back to normal by use of this herb extract, then surely that is an argument for its success with such people. Nobody wants any more than their fair share of testosterone, unless they are body-building athletes wanting to cheat!

In addition, the opponents of tribulus make great play of the fact that it does not increase the testosterone levels in most young men. It should be pretty obvious that most young men are full of testosterone, and their levels only need supplemented as they grow older. The major of users of libido enhancing drugs are in the older age groups, so while it is claimed that the scientific evidence for its effectiveness is low, it can be argued that for those that need it, there is a very strong argument indeed for its use.

Unknown to most men, testosterone is also the major hormone that governs women's libido, and after that the most important is estradiol. Testosterone is produced in small but significant quantities by the ovaries until the menopause, after which its production is continued by the adrenal glands in the majority of women. That is why most, but not all, women maintain a sex drive after the menopause when there is no biological need for it in relation to procreation. This proves, however, that testosterone production with women is essential for their libido, and tribulus terrestris is said to increase the production of the fore-mentioned LH in women.

The active ingredients of tribulus have been proved by various spectroscopic analytical techniques (IR, NMR and MS) to be four furostanol saponins: two protodioscins, and two prototribestins, the protodioscin being generally regarded as the most prevalent and important. This is a hormone related to DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone that is a prohormone for the sex steroids. Some argue that it has little effect on the sex drive other than provided by ginseng, although the two are active through different biochemical pathways.

It is important, then, that tribulus supplements be sourced carefully, since many have been shown to contain no protodioscin. In fact may companies have never heard of protodioscin and have no idea whether it is in their product or not. That is why such products must be purchased from reputable natural health food outlets and not supermarkets or even some multinational companies that sell by the name and not their knowledge of the product. This is true not only of Tribulus, but also of many other supplements, the biological pathways of which the public generally have little knowledge.

There is Tribulus Terrestri extract on sale today from many outlets that contain zero percent protodioscin that has been proved scientifically to be the active ingredient. Without protodioscin a tribulus supplement is worth nothing and will do nothing for your sex drive. Always check the bottle or tub for the protodioscin content. You might as well buy Scotch malt whisky without the alcohol.

The dosage of the supplement can be from 80 - 1500 mg (milligrams) daily, but this really means nothing. It is important, like any supplement, that it is standardized to the equivalent content of the active ingredient that can stated in terms of saponins or of protodioscin, depending on which brand you purchase. 250 -500 mg at 40% saponin content is a reasonable dosage to start with, but this can be reduced or increased according to the effect.

Too many websites have the same information that indicates few have any original knowledge because they all copy each other. Ignore any information that is not provided on the basis of the active ingredients: as stated, these are saponins or protodioscin (both are basically the same information). Purchase and test the effectiveness of your dosage on the basis of a standardized active content. Hence, 500 mg of 20% saponins or protodioscin is the same strength as 250 mg of a 40% extract.

Although medical research on tribulus terrestris is sparse, what there is indicates that it can support reproductive function and boost the libido of those with a deficiency in testosterone production by up to 50%, and that is something that older men and women would truly appreciate!

There are no known side-effects, though pregnant women should refer to their doctor. However, make sure that you purchase your supply from a reputable online or offline health food or supplement supplier since most supermarkets and chain stores do not know what they are selling. Some tribulus supplements have no active ingredient at all!

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More information can be found at http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of Standardized tribulus can be found.