What is it used for?
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Mutrala (diuretic) [Source note 2].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Vrsya (aphrodisiac) for men [Source note 3].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve Arsa (haemorrhoids) [Source note 4].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve Mutrakrcchra (difficult/painful urination) [Source note 5].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for headache and dizziness, distending pain in the chest and the hypochondrium, acute mastitis, red eyes and nebula, itching caused by rubella [Source note 6].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to calm the Liver and anchor the yang: for headache, vertigo, or dizziness from ascendant Liver yang [Source note 7].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to dispel wind and stop itching: for any kind of skin lesion with significant itching, such as hives [Source note 8].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to dispel wind-heat and brightens the eyes: for red, swollen, and painful eyes as well as increased tearing [Source note 9].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to dredge the Liver qi to smooth its flow while dispersing constraint and clumping: for pain and distention in the chest or flanks or insufficient lactation, from constrained Liver qi [Source note 10].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to pacify the Liver, invigorate blood and dispel wind, improve vision, and relieve itching [Source note 11].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve Arsa and Mutrakrcchra).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Tribulus is traditionally used in Ayurveda as Mutrala).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
What this guide covers
Restrictions when this reference is combined with other references (source review category II and III):
Specific combination rules apply to active ingredients with estrogenic (e.g., red clover isoflavone extract, soybean extracts and isolates and dong quai - Angelica sinensis) or anti-estrogenic effects [e.g., indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and, diindolylmethane (DIM)]. Consult the reference combination guide for more information.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms for any age category listed in this reference for the specified route of administration are listed in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
6 - 10 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 12]
Traditional Ayurveda Medicine
Arsa (haemorrhoid)
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
20 - 30 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 13]
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
3 - 6 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 14]
Mutrala (diuretic), Mutrakrcchra (painful urination) and Vrsya (aphrodisiac)
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
20 - 30 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 15]
20 - 30 grams of dried root, per day [Source note 16]
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
3 - 6 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 17]
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Mutrala (diuretic)
For occasional use only [Source note 18].
Warnings and precautions
All products except Vrsya (aphrodisiac for men)
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant [Source note 19].
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have qi or blood deficiency [Source note 20].
When should it be avoided?
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Do not use if you have low blood pressure or liver deficiency [Source note 21].
Possible side effects
All products
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 22]
All products except Mutrala (diuretic)
When using this product diuretic effect may occur.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribulus terrestris |
| Tribulus terrestris |
| Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2025; PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; API 2001; Common names: USDA 2025; PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004; API 2001; Source information: PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004; API 2001; Kapoor 2001.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- May 29, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.