Pharmaceutical Name:

Fructus Tribuli

Botanical Name:

Tribulus Terestris L.

Common Name:

Tribulus Fruit
Puncture-Vine Fruit

Source of Earliest Record:

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

The ripe fruit is gathered in autumn, dried in the sun and baked until the fruit turns yellow.

Properties and Taste:

Bitter, pungent and neutral

Meridian:

Liver

Functions:

To pacify the liver and subdue the yang
To promote the free flow of qi in the liver and release stagnation
To expel wind and stop itching
To brighten the eyes

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Hyperactivity of liver yang manifested as dizziness, vertigo, distension and pain in the head.
*Use with Uncaria stem (Gouteng), Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua) and White peony root (Baishao).

2.     Qi stagnation of the liver manifested as distension in the breasts, uncomfortable feeling in the chest and hypochondriac regions and obstructed lactation.
*Use with Bupleurum root (Chaihu), Tangerine leaf (Juye), Green tangerine peel (Qingpi) and Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu).

3.     Wind and heat in the liver meridian manifested as red eyes and profuse lacrimation.
*Use with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Chastetree fruit (Manjingzi) and Cassia seed (Juemingzi).

4.      Wing and heat in the blood manifested as rubella and itching.
*Use with Schizonepeta (Jingjie) and Cicada slough (Chantui).

Dosage:

3-10 g

Cautions:

This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy.