Does puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) lower blood pressure?
Tribulus terrestris - also called puncture vine or sometimes "earth star" - has increasingly appeared on supplement shelves in recent years.
Another marketed benefit of puncture vine is an increase in libido and help with erectile dysfunction. All of these effects are attributed to a testosterone-boosting action of the plant. That effect was shown in lab tests on rats, but several studies have shown it does not transfer to humans.
However, puncture vine can actually improve both libido and erectile dysfunction. Animal studies have suggested possible endothelial- and nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms that could underlie these effects.
Tribulus terrestris also increases urine output, which can lower blood pressure. This is also how diuretics, commonly known as "water pills," work; they are often prescribed by doctors for existing high blood pressure.
It also has anti-inflammatory effects and is said to improve blood lipid levels. Both could benefit the health of blood vessels and thus help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
An Indian study with 75 participants split into three groups showed a reduction in blood pressure after four weeks of taking Tribulus terrestris. Participants received the substance either as an aqueous solution made from the whole plant or as gelatin capsules made from the plant's fruits. The third group served as the control and received placebos. Already after the first week, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the two groups taking puncture vine had fallen noticeably compared with the control group. The effect persisted throughout the four weeks. Those who took the whole-plant extract even achieved a slightly better blood pressure reduction than those who took extracts from the fruits.
In summary, puncture vine is claimed to help with a long list of complaints. Much has been researched, but most studies were done in animals or in test tubes. How well those results apply to humans cannot be determined with certainty. Regarding blood pressure, there are promising signs of a blood-pressure-lowering effect from Tribulus terrestris. As always, trying it yourself should be discussed with your treating physician, and you should never change or stop your current medication on your own.
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This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as outpatient care, and has headed the specialist editorial team at Tensana since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as an emergency medical technician, first responder, and in various areas of therapy and emergency care, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.
