It is rich in saponins and is mainly used for men’s fitness and general vitality, but the popular claim that it reliably raises testosterone is not well supported in human studies. It is a herbal supplement, not a medicine: if you take medication or have a heart, blood pressure, kidney or liver condition, ask your doctor first. Tribulus is one of six botanicals in EROJAN Men’s Energy Capsules, which we sell in Singapore.
Tribulus is a familiar name on men’s supplement labels, and an often oversold one. Where we mention our own product, we only use what our Singapore product page states.
What is tribulus terrestris?
Tribulus terrestris is a creeping plant with small yellow flowers that grows in warm, dry places across Asia, Africa, southern Europe and Australia. Its hard fruits carry sharp spines, which is where the names puncture vine and caltrop come from. In Chinese medicine the fruit is known as ji li, and in Ayurveda as gokshura.
Supplements use extracts of the fruit or the whole above-ground plant. The compounds people talk about are steroidal saponins, such as protodioscin, and the amount differs a lot from one extract to another. You may also see Tribulus omanense, a related species from the Arabian Peninsula that is far less studied, and “tribulus complex” products, which are blends of tribulus with other herbs or nutrients.
What are tribulus benefits for men?
Traditionally, tribulus was used in formulas for men’s strength and vitality, and gym-goers adopted it for training. Our EROJAN page puts it in those traditional terms: tribulus is “rich in saponins, which support healthy blood circulation” and has been “long used in traditional formulas for men’s fitness.”
Modern research in people is limited and mixed. Small studies have looked at well-being, exercise and general vitality with varied results, and the quality of the extract matters. A fair way to think of tribulus is as a traditional herb that some men include in a daily routine, not a performance drug and not a medicine.
Does tribulus raise testosterone?
This is the claim that made tribulus famous, and it is the weakest part of its reputation. Early animal research and heavy marketing built the “testosterone booster” label, but controlled studies in healthy men have generally not found a consistent rise in testosterone from tribulus. Some lab and animal results have not carried over to people.
So do not buy tribulus, or any supplement, expecting it to change your hormone levels. If you have ongoing tiredness, low mood or loss of strength and wonder about testosterone, see a doctor: a simple blood test gives you a real answer. We describe EROJAN the way its bottle does, “traditionally used for men’s health and energy”; it is not a test or a treatment for low testosterone.
Tribulus supplement: what to look for
- The Latin name Tribulus terrestris, and which part of the plant is used.
- The amount per serving and whether it is an extract. Extract strengths differ, so milligrams on two labels are not directly comparable.
- Single herb or blend. In a blend, check every ingredient, and do not double up on two products that contain the same herbs.
- Lab testing. Men’s supplements are a category where some products have been found to contain undeclared medicines, and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority regularly publishes alerts about such products. Look for a seller who shows a drug screen and heavy-metal test.
- Modest claims. “Instant” or dramatic promises are a warning sign.
For EROJAN, our page shows the papers: the Toxicology Laboratory of the National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, screened the capsules for 26 undeclared drugs by GC-MS and detected none, and Bio Synergy Laboratories detected no arsenic, cadmium, lead or mercury.
Side effects and who should avoid it
In short-term use, the side effects most often reported for tribulus are mild, such as stomach upset or trouble sleeping, but long-term safety information is limited. Avoid it or ask a doctor first if:
- you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding;
- you have a heart, blood pressure, kidney or liver condition;
- you take prescription medication, including for blood pressure or blood sugar;
- the supplement is for a child or teenager.
Our EROJAN page says it is for adult men, and that if you take medication or have a medical condition, such as a heart or blood pressure condition, you should ask your doctor before you start.
Where tribulus fits in EROJAN
EROJAN does not sell tribulus on its own. Two vegetable capsules a day bring six botanicals: Tongkat Ali, Tribulus terrestris, Epimedium, maca, Butea superba and Cuscuta chinensis, with the full composition on the bottle label. The page says the blend is there “to lift your daily energy, stamina and endurance”, and that it is made for busy men in their 30s, 40s and beyond who work long hours, stay up late or train at the gym. Directions: two capsules once a day, after a meal, with water, and no more than 2 capsules a day.
