Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
Tribulus terrestris
Hormones & Endocrine · Saponin-containing herb
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Tribulus terrestris as C+ (5.5/10) based on weak evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Classic supplement that does not do what its marketing suggests.
Typical use: 300-1500 mg/day standardized extract — OTC.
What this is
Classic supplement that does not do what its marketing suggests. In healthy eugonadal men, Neychev 2005 and others consistently show no testosterone effect. The library of trials in women suggests more legitimate libido effect. Bulgarian/Balkan Sopharma products historically most studied.
Mechanism
Protodioscin and related steroidal saponins; proposed LH release stimulation; reality is more modest — most trials in healthy men show no testosterone increase vs placebo
Dose & route
300-1500 mg/day standardized extract
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16174537/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28178380/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4163465/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Tribulus terrestris work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Tribulus terrestris as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.5/10). Classic supplement that does not do what its marketing suggests.
- Is Tribulus terrestris safe?
- Tribulus terrestris has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Tribulus terrestris?
- 300-1500 mg/day standardized extract
- How does Tribulus terrestris work?
- Protodioscin and related steroidal saponins; proposed LH release stimulation; reality is more modest — most trials in healthy men show no testosterone increase vs placebo
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.