Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Tribulus terrestris Linn.
• Family: Zygophyllaceae
• English Name: Small Caltrops / Puncture Vine
• Sanskrit Name: Gokshura

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1️⃣ Introduction

Gokshura is one of the most important Mutrala (diuretic) and Vrishya (aphrodisiac) herbs described in Ayurveda. It is widely used in disorders of:

• Mutravaha Srotas (urinary system)
• Shukravaha Srotas (reproductive system)

The name “Gokshura” refers to the shape of its fruit resembling a cow’s hoof. It is a key drug in Laghu Panchamoola and numerous classical formulations.

It grows in dry, sandy, xerophytic regions throughout India.

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2️⃣ Vernacular Names

• English – Small Caltrops
• Hindi – Gokharu
• Tamil – Nerunjil
• Telugu – Palleru
• Kannada – Negalu
• Malayalam – Nerinnil

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3️⃣ Synonyms (Sanskrit)

गोक्षुरो लघुगोक्षुरो शष्ट्रस्त्रिकंटकः ।
श्वदंष्ट्रो वृषमूत्रघ्नो बल्यो बलविवर्धनः ॥

Important synonyms:

• Gokshuraka
• Trikantaka
• Shvadamshtra
• Kshudra Gokshura

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4️⃣ Classification in Brihattrayi

According to Charaka Samhita

• Sothahara
• Mutravirechaniya
• Krimighna

According to Sushruta Samhita

• Vidarigandhadi Gana
• Viratarvadi Gana
• Laghu Panchamoola

According to Ashtanga Hridaya

• Vidarigandhadi Gana

गोकण्टः कण्टफलो भक्षरः स्वादुकण्टकः । श्वदंष्ट्रको व्यालदंष्ट्रो गोक्षुरु गोक्षुरः क्षुरः ॥६८॥
Kaidev Nighantu- Aushadhi Vargha – Shloka no. 68

गोक्षुरो मधुरो वृष्यो दीपनो बलपुष्टिकृत् ॥६६॥
शीतलो वस्तिवातघ्नो दोषत्रयनिबर्हणः हृद्रोगमेहकृच्छाश्म श्वासकासरुजाहरः ॥७०॥
Kaidev Nighantu- Aushadhi Vargha – Shloka no. 66 & 70

गोक्षुरः पुरकोऽपि स्यात्त्रिकण्टः स्वादुकण्टकः । गोकण्टको गोजुरको वनश्शृङ्गाट इत्यपि ॥४४॥
पलङ्कषा श्वदंष्ट्रा च तथा स्यादिनुगन्धिका । गोचुरः शीतलः स्वादुर्वलक्रुद्वस्तिशोधनः॥४५॥
मधुरो दीपनो वृष्यः पुष्टिदश्चाश्मरीहरः । प्रमेहश्वासकासार्शः कृच्छ्रहृद्रोगवातनुत् ॥४६॥
Bhavprakash Nighantu – Guduchyadi Vargha – Page 262 – Shloka no. 44-46

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5️⃣ Varieties & Controversy

• Tribulus terrestris (Laghu Gokshura)
• Pedalium murex (Gaja Gokshura)

Controversial/adulterant species:

• Xanthium strumarium
• Martynia diandra
• Acanthospermum hispidum

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6️⃣ Morphology

• Prostrate spreading herb
• Opposite pinnate leaves (6–8 pairs leaflets)
• Yellow solitary flowers
• Hard spiny fruits (4–5 segments)
• Flowering: April–September

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7️⃣ Distribution

• Found in dry regions across India
• Common in sandy soils

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8️⃣ Chemical Constituents

• Steroidal saponins: Diosgenin, Gitogenin
• Flavonoids: Rutin, Quercetin
• Alkaloids: Harmane, Harmine
• Potassium salts
• Essential oils

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9️⃣ Ayurvedic Pharmacology

Rasa	Guna	Virya	Vipaka
Madhura	Guru, Snigdha	Sheeta	Madhura

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🔟 Karma (Actions)

• Mutrala
• Vrishya
• Rasayana
• Balya
• Ashmarihara
• Vata-Pitta Shamak
• Deepana

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1️⃣1️⃣ Effect on Doshas

• Tridosha balancing
• Especially pacifies:
  • Vata
  • Pitta
    ⚠ Excess may increase Kapha.

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1️⃣2️⃣ PARTS USED

• Whole plant
• Fruits (mainly)
• Roots
• Leaves

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1️⃣3️⃣ DOSAGE

• Churna: 3–6 g
• Kwatha: 50–100 ml
• Leaf juice: 10–15 ml

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1️⃣4️⃣ DETAILED INDICATIONS WITH HOW TO USE

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🔹 1. Mutrakrichra (Dysuria)

Symptoms:

Burning urination, pain, scanty urine.

Action:

• Diuretic
• Cooling
• Reduces inflammation

How to Use:

• Decoction 50 ml twice daily
• Add honey
• Duration: 7–14 days

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🔹 2. Ashmari (Kidney Stones)

Symptoms:

Severe flank pain, hematuria.

Action:

• Stone dissolving
• Smooth muscle relaxant
• Increases urinary flow

How to Use:

• Fruit powder 3–6 g with honey + goat milk
  OR
• Decoction twice daily
  Duration: 4–6 weeks (under supervision)

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🔹 3. Urinary Tract Infection

Action:

• Antibacterial
• Diuretic

How to Use:

• Kwatha twice daily
• Combine with Chandraprabha Vati in practice

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🔹 4. Prameha (Diabetes)

Action:

• Hypoglycemic
• Rasayana

How to Use:

• 3 g powder twice daily
• Combine with Gudmar for better effect

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🔹 5. Klaibya (Erectile Dysfunction)

Action:

• Vrishya
• Improves sperm count & motility

How to Use:

• 5 g powder with warm milk at bedtime
• Combine with Ashwagandha

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🔹 6. Female Infertility & Vaginal Disorders

Action:

• Strengthens reproductive tissues
• Supports hormonal balance

How to Use:

• Powder with milk
• Decoction 50 ml twice daily

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🔹 7. Hypertension with Edema

Action:

• Diuretic
• Cardiotonic

How to Use:

• Decoction daily
• Monitor BP regularly

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🔹 8. Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Action:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Vata-pacifying

How to Use:

• Decoction with Sunthi
• Twice daily

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🔹 9. Lumbago (Katishoola)

• Decoction morning empty stomach
• 2–3 weeks

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🔹 10. Hair Growth

How to Use:

• Paste of Gokshura + Tila flowers + honey + ghee
• Apply on scalp

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1️⃣5️⃣ Important Classical Yogas

• Dashamoola Kashaya
• Gokshuradi Guggulu
• Brihatyadi Kashaya

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1️⃣6️⃣ Modern Pharmacological Activities

• Anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic
• Antibacterial
• Hypotensive
• Hypoglycemic
• Aphrodisiac

Recent research:

• Improves sperm parameters
• Helps in renal stone expulsion
• Supports PCOS management

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1️⃣7️⃣ Precautions

• Avoid excessive use
• Use cautiously in:
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension

Always use under medical supervision.

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🌟 CONCLUSION

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) is a cooling, strengthening, diuretic, stone-dissolving, and rejuvenating herb. It is one of the most important drugs for:

• Urinary disorders
• Kidney stones
• Reproductive weakness
• Edema
• Inflammatory conditions

It plays a major role in Mutravaha and Shukravaha Srotas management in Ayurveda.