Can you tell us more about the use of herbs for women’s health, specifically the herb Tribulus.
Hi Catherine,
Can you tell us more about the use of herbs for women’s health, specifically the herb Tribulus as a liver tonic. My naturopath highly recommends it use as an adjunct to progesterone supplementation.
Thank you,
Andea
Dear Andea,
I strongly advocate the use of herbs in women’s health, offering relief in the initial stages of hormone imbalance for PMS and menopausal symptoms and/or complimenting bioidential HRT.
The following article by Peter O’Hara BA Hons Dip. Hom., makes a convincing case for its use in hormone balancing and liver function. Furthermore, I can report glowing reports of this herb during a recent practitioners workshop ‘A Unique Insight on Optimal Health & Ageing’ in Melbourne a few weeks ago.
Demand has skyrocketed in recent years as women become more aware of natural products that offer relief of PMS and menopausal symptoms. One reason demand has increased is because more women are experiencing hormonal imbalance problems. Why is this so? Several reasons ? lack of minerals, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients in the diet, livers stressed by excessive fats and sugars in the diet, higher chemical exposure (further taxing the liver), and day to day stress in our life.
Do you notice the references to the liver in the above list of reasons? The liver is not often considered to play a role in hormone balance but its role is critical in the correct functioning of the endocrine system. The liver has an important role in the production of hormones, and when stressed by our modern lifestyle ,hormone production is one function that deteriorates.
The good news for people with hormone imbalance problems is the recent listing on the Australian Register of the Therapeutic Goods of Tribulus for relief of menstrual and menopausal symptoms. This is also good news for people whose liver is stressed or congested because Tribulus is especially beneficial for the liver. In fact Tribulus? benefit to the hormonal system is due to its action on the liver.
The liver, upon which Tribulus acts is a major synthesizer of hormones. The hormones are synthesized from cholesterol (a product of the liver) Tribulus has a stimulating and detoxifying effect on the liver, exerting and major influence on cholesterol and other products of the liver. In the typical western diet an abundance of fats and sugars puts enormous strain on the liver which cannot break them down efficiently. The excessive stress we live with today places extra strain on the liver. Both these influences contribute to the accumulation of fats in the body. Poor liver function is one reason some people have difficulty losing weight.
Tribulus, in stimulating the liver assists in the breakdown of fats into essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins, essential fatty acids are the building blocks of hormones, and fat soluble vitamins are used used by the body in the manufacture of hormone-like compounds. It is through this action that Tribulus has such great benefit for the endocrine (or hormonal) system of both men and women. Tribulus is a non-hormonal dietary supplement because the herb does not contain any of the three major hormonal compounds ? oestrogen. progesterone or testosterone. It does have a phyto-hormone action, improving the hormone status, without having a direct hormonal influence.
Clinical studies on Tribulus demonstrated increased concentrations of estradiol in women there by improving ovulation, reproductive function, and libido. Studies show that while hormone levels are increased, they are never over stimulated (because the Tribulus does not contain any hormonal compounds). This feature of Tribulus makes it especially valuable because it promotes balance in the body. In this way Tribulus is unlike anabolic steroids which firstly stimulate, then over-stimulate, hormones.
The great benefit of assisting a return to balance for women with PMS or menopausal symptoms is that these symptoms are indicative of imbalance in the system. When the hormonal system is nourished to balance, symptoms of imbalance disappear. For men clinical studies demonstrate improved testosterone levels, increased sperm production and improved reproductive functions. In men, as with women, the hormonal system is nourished to a point of balance, and is not over stimulated.
Revolutionary Herb
Tribulus Terrestris, commonly known as “Puncture Vine” or Caltrop fruit, is a herb that has been used for centuries in Europe for hormone insufficiency in men and women. It has been used in the treatment of liver, kidney and urinary tract disease, and all types of skin disorders by Chinese herbalists.
Tribulus Terrestris is the closest and strongest natural herbal alternative to synthetic anabolic hormones. This non-hormonal dietary supplement has been used by athletic, sporting and weightlifting teams around the world in the past ten years with apparent great effectiveness.
When scientists begun studying the remarkable curative power of Tribulus Terrestris, they discovered that it significantly improves the body’s production of several hormones: Testosterone; Luteinizing Hormone (LH is a gonad stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland); Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); and Estradiol.
Clinical studies on Tribulus, conducted at the Chemical Pharmaceutical Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, showed improved reproductive functions, including improved sperm production and testosterone levels in men.
Tribulus has been found to stimulate the production of the hormones Testosterone, Progesterone and Estrogen only to the normal levels of healthy men and women.
Among women, Tribulus increased the concentration of hormones including estradiol, with testosterone being very slightly influenced, thereby improving reproductive function, libido and ovulation.
Clinically documented benefits include:
- Growth hormone regulation via HPA axis
- Intensification of protein synthesis (anabolic)
- Male and female infertility
- Menopause
- Andropause
- Impotence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Libido enhancing
A significant benefit of Tribulus is the stimulation of hormone production to a balanced level, without over-stimulating the secretion of hormones.
The fruit and root of the Tribulus contains pharmacologically important metabolites like phytosteriods, flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides. These active components have a stimulating effect on the immune, sexual and reproductive systems, with improved muscle building, stamina and endurance. Other positive changes observed in a number of cases were a reduction in cholesterol, enhanced mood and well-being. Tribulus exhibits a mild diuretic effect.
The liver is a major synthesizer of hormones. They are synthesized from cholesterol, so a herb such as Tribulus that has a stimulating effect on the liver, will have a major influence on cholesterol and other products of the liver.
Tribulus’ role as a liver tonic is very important - breaking down the cholesterol and fats that inhibit healthy liver function. The cholesterol and fats are converted to hormones and energy resulting in increased performance and stamina. This role of improving liver function, stamina and endurance is particularly beneficial to athletes and bodybuilders. No longer do they have to look to synthetic steroids for increased performance.
No adverse effects to the central nervous or cardiovascular systems were noted in any of the clinical studies; no toxicity and no deviations in blood occurred. No known negative effects presently exist when Tribulus is used as a dietary supplement.
For male athletes and body builders, an increase in testosterone levels by Tribulus will promote protein synthesis, positive nitrogen balance as well as recuperation and recovery from muscular stress. Tribulus therefore has a positive effect on strength and stamina.
This peripatetic weed grows in many different countries but results in different phytochemical profiles, i.e. different chemotypes. The Bulgarian grown chemotype has been extensively researched and found to be superior. Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris is the only Tribulus Terrestris that is standardised to contain Protodioscin.
How to use Tribulus
Should you cycle Tribulus Terrestris? There is no evidence that shows conclusively what the optimal usage and duration of Tribulus terrestris should be. Many of the research studies done used 750mg of Tribulus terrestris for short periods of time. Unlike DHEA and Androstenedione, Tribulus terrestris is not manufactured by the body, however, prolonged usage could down-regulate it’s effects and make it less potent and long term usage and its effects have not yet been studied, therefore cycling Tribulus terrestris might be advantageous.
Given the reproductive system one may do well using tribulus after the initial few days of the cycle after menstruation when the egg is preparing for maturation and release.
While there is no definitive guide on how much Tribulus terrestris should be taken, there are different guidelines suggested by experts in the medical field. Most suggest 250-750mg per day taken evenly throughout the day.
As mentioned a few weeks back, Andrea, in my response on the herb Maca, diet modifications that include nutritional & herbal supplements known to improve our body’s natural production of hormones would be an ideal starting point for any woman looking to correct hormone imbalance.
Where to buy Tribulus?
Australia:
UK & Europe:
USA & International:
