Tribulus terrestris

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   Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris L., puncture vine, Zygophyllaceae, is a spreading ground herb of tropical Asia.   It is common along road sides and waste lands throughout India.   It is easily recognised by the bright yellow flowers (Tribulus terrestris1) and spiny fruits (Tribulus terrestris2).

The leaves and tender shoots are used as a pot herb and the fruits yield flour.

Leaves are rich in calcium and contribute to the nutritive value of other greens.

The roots are an aperient.   The leaves are stomachic.   The fruit is a tonic and diuretic, used in painful micturition and calculus affections.   It is also recommended in Bright’s disease.  

The herb contains the saponins, chiefly  diosgenin and gitogenin,

Excessive collection of the whole plant has made it rare in some parts of India, though it is abundant in others.