The majority of herbs offer health benefits to almost everyone. However, they also have gender-specific, age-specific, or disease-specific benefits. Gokshura is a traditional herb utilized for centuries for its various therapeutic benefits in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Unani medicine systems. It has many male-specific health benefits also. Gokshura benefits for males, traditionally involve improving fertility, libido, and erectile function apart from many other advantages. With increasing awareness of the side effects associated with synthetic drugs, more people are turning to plant-based medicines for safer, natural alternatives. This article will explore the numerous gokshura benefits for males, highlighting its potential to enhance overall male health.
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What is Gokshura or Gokhru?
Gokshura, also known as chota gokhru, gokhru, puncture vine, or tribulus terrestris is an annual shrub found in Mediterranean and warm climates, including India, China, the Southern USA, Mexico, Spain, and Bulgaria.
Gokshura is a Sanskrit word that means that its fruit will damage the legs of grazing cows because they have thorns.
Almost all parts of the plant including fruit, stem, root, leaf, and flower are used for medicinal purposes.
Classical Ayurvedic texts have described the role of gokshura in various diseases.
Gokshura as an ingredient in various formulations is very well-mentioned in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
Nutritional Value of Gokshura
Various parts of gokshura or gokhru contain medicinally important elements such as flavonoids, flavonol, glycosides, steroidal saponins, and alkaloids.
There is a lot of protein (21.33%) in gokshura with a richness of minerals such as potassium, calcium, and copper.
The typical nutrient and mineral content of gokshura (gokhru) is tabulated below:
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Gokshura Benefits for Male
The benefits of gokshura for men are well supported by both modern scientific research and ancient Ayurvedic texts.
Many studies have shown that its health benefits include reducing inflammation, protection from cancer, lowering blood sugar, controlling blood pressure, increasing testosterone, and protecting the liver, heart, reproductive, and urinary health.
Supplements made from gokshura improve muscle strength, boost energy, and increase sperm production.
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Let us look at each of Gokshura’s benefits for males one by one.
1.) Gokshura Benefits for Diabetes
As per folk medicine, gokshura has been traditionally used to manage diabetes.
Recent studies have also shown that natural compounds in gokshura can help control blood sugar levels.
Gokshura is beneficial for men with diabetes as it helps to lower blood sugar and fat levels, protect against oxidative stress, and improve heart health.
The Saponin compound of gokshura is effective in lowering blood sugar levels.
In a study on diabetic male rats, gokshura significantly reduced blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
Gokshura was shown to slow down glucose production in the liver, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
2.) Gokshura Benefits for Kidney
Studies have shown that men are at a higher risk of developing kidney stones than women.
Gokshura is beneficial in treating men facing kidney stone problems by preventing their formation, reducing stone size, and protecting kidneys from damage.
In a study on rats, gokshura extracts significantly reduced the formation of kidney stones.
It also lowered the high levels of white blood cells and urea in the blood, both associated with kidney stone formation.
An improvement in various markers of blood and urine were noticed, restoring normal kidney and bladder function.
Another study has found that gokshura extract stopped the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, the main cause of kidney stones.
Gokshura also protected kidney cells from the damage caused by these crystals.
3.) Gokshura Benefits for Prostate
Prostate problems are common in men, particularly after age 50.
By age 60, half of the men have enlarged prostate, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, unusual urine color or smell, and pain while urinating that can affect the quality of life.
About 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
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It is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of death from cancer among men.
Studies have shown that gokshura can suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Researchers tested a compound of gokshura called Terrestrosin D (TED) to observe its effects on castration-resistant prostate cancer, a type of prostate cancer that continues to grow despite low testosterone levels.
They found TED effective in stopping the growth of prostate cancer.
They also discovered that gokshura extract was potent and harmful to prostate cancer cells.
4.) Gokshura Benefits for Male Testosterone Levels
Gokshura benefits male by boosting their testosterone levels.
The natural compound saponins in gokshura stimulates the production of hormones that signal the testes to produce more testosterone.
Testosterone levels are crucial in improving male health, especially sexual performance, muscle growth, and overall vitality.
Studies on male rats showed a noticeable improvement in testosterone levels when researchers regularly gave them gokshura.
The research also suggests that a component of gokshura, protodioscin, converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more powerful form of testosterone linked to improved strength and performance.
5.) Gokshura Benefits for Male Sexual Health & Libido
Gokshura is an excellent natural herb to improve sexual function and libido.
In a study involving 52 men, gokshura along with other herbs showed significant improvement in many aspects of sexual health.
Men experienced better erections, longer periods of intercourse, and sexual afterglow.
This was due to the testosterone-boosting properties of gokshura, which improve blood flow and stamina during sexual activities.
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Gokshura also increases libido or sex drive due to its properties to increase testosterone levels.
Traditionally, people use the herb for its aphrodisiac, stimulant, and nutritious qualities.
They have used it to improve sex drive in men.
6.) Helps with Erectile Dysfunction
Gokshura may help with erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis.
This is because it increases nitric oxide release helping relax blood vessels and smooth muscles in the penis, making it easier to get and maintain an erection.
7.) Gokhsura Benefits for Male Fertility
Gokshura has spermatogenesis properties, which means it promotes the production of healthy sperm.
Studies have shown that it protects against testicular damage, which helps improve male fertility.
In one study, gokshura protects the testicles from the damage caused by a harmful metal cadmium by reducing oxidative stress and improving testosterone production.
In a study on fish, gokshura extract increased the number of males in the population and improved sperm production.
This suggests that gokshura results in better sperm count and quality, necessary for male fertility.
8.) Gokshura Benefits for Males in Bodybuilding
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Gokshura is a popular supplement among both athletes and non-athletes who want to increase their strength, build muscles, and improve their recovery.
- Increases Testosterone and Muscle Growth – The natural compound saponin in gokshura increases the production of testosterone and Luteinizing hormones, needed for muscle growth and development.
By boosting testosterone, gokshura promotes muscle anabolism which helps build lean muscle mass more efficiently.
- Improves Strength and Performance – By increasing testosterone levels, gokshura improves overall strength and sports performance.
Many athletes use gokshura to enhance their physical abilities, faster post-workout recoveries, and gain strength for intense training sessions.
- Reduces Muscle Damage and Inflammation – The antioxidants in gokshura like polyphenols and flavonoids fight with free radicals, reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Antioxidant properties of gokshura protect the muscles from the damage caused by intense workouts and reduce inflammation, promoting faster recoveries.
9.) Protects the Liver Health
Studies on mice have shown that gokshura reduces the buildup of fat in the liver, protecting it from the harmful effects of high cholesterol.
Gokshura also boosted the liver’s natural defense mechanism by increasing the activities of certain enzymes that fight oxidative stress.
Also Read – Bhumi Amla Benefits for Liver: Rejuvenate Liver Naturally
10.) Cholesterol, BP and Heart Health
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Gokshura is also good for men’s heart health.
Studies have shown that it reduces bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
This includes both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), these are the types of cholesterols that can clog the arteries, leading to heart problems.
Gokshura also helps increase the good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Studies have also shown it lowering triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood that can cause heart problems.
The gokshura plant has potential as an herbal medicine for effective blood pressure control due to its diuretic activity (potassium-sparing), antihyperlipidemic activity, and cardioprotective activity.
Gokshura Side Effects
People consider gokshura a very safe herb, with only a few reported cases of toxicity.
Many research studies using gokshura and its extracts in different dosages have reported minimal side effects and no safety concerns.
However, a few cases report hepatotoxicity in humans after consuming gokshura.
In one case, a 46-year-old man took gokshura supplements daily for 2 months, but he developed severe jaundice and had to be hospitalized.
Another reported case described a 30-year-old man who developed nausea and poor appetite after taking gokshura supplements as a part of his muscle-building program.
These cases are only one of the few reported regarding liver and kidney toxicity from gokshura.
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Takeaway Message
Traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Chinese, Siddha, and Unani widely use Gokshura as an important herb.
Some commercially available formulations include Gokshuradi Guggulu, Trikantak Ghruta, Drakshadi Choorna, Rasayana Choorna, Gokshuradi Kwatha, and Dashamoola Kwatha.
Gokshura’s benefits for males make it an attractive herb for treating various male-related disorders.
Though it is a safer herb, one must always consult a healthcare professional before starting to take gokshura supplements.
Only buy gokshura supplements approved by the proper authorities, even though many are commercially available in stores or online.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered a substitute for an expert’s advice.
Readings & References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3931200/#sec1-3
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9368143/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260210811_Tribulus_terrestris_Linn_A_review_article
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024015809
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359506947_A_Systematic_Medico_Historical_Review_of_Gokshura_Tribulus_terrestris_L_A_Traditional_Indian_Medicine
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/tribulus-terrestris
- https://www.ayurvedjournal.com/JAHM_202282_08.pdf
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growing-problem-of-an-enlarged-prostate-gland#:~:text=By%20age%2060%2C%20half%20of,%2C%20the%20proportion%20reaches%2090%25.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.811044/full
- https://journals.lww.com/acgcr/fulltext/2024/02000/severe_liver_and_renal_injury_from_tribulus.6.aspx