The thistles (Terrestrial tribulus) are a perennial herbaceous species with creeping habits that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family. Known as abreojos, abrepies, goat's horn, breakwater, mormaga, tribulus, bull, rosette or cat's claw, it is a natural species of the Mediterranean basin.
It is a plant of decumbent growth that drags its branches of more than 1 m in length on the ground. The compound and pinnate leaves are composed of 5-8 pairs of small, green, slightly pubescent, facing leaflets..
The small flowers with yellow pentameric petals are arranged in the axillary position through a short peduncle. The fruit is a dry and indehiscent schizocarp covered with small firm and sharp spines that can cause injuries when lightly rubbed..
It is a plant that grows in temperate or tropical climates, on sandy, humid soils and with full sun exposure. It is located on the edge of roads, dumps, fallows, abandoned farmland and on the fringes of constructions.
The bioactive compounds present in this species, especially alkaloids, saponins, sterols and β-sitosterols, have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the body. In addition, it is an effective supplement for male sexual health, since it stimulates virility and libido, it also contains adaptogens that increase the strength and defense of the body.
Article index
A creeping perennial herb, it usually forms flattened thickets, although it can grow upright in the shade or under taller plants. The short stems end in a crown that branches widely radially into branches up to 1 m in length..
The stems are usually finely striated and slightly hairy, with abundant straight and curly hairs showing a woolly appearance. This characteristic is similar in the peduncles, pedicels and rachis throughout the plant, but more dense and closed.
The compound, pinnate and finely stipulate leaves are made up of 4-8 pairs of leaflets 5-7 mm long. They have a specialized petiole inserted into the rachis to facilitate their deployment in the absence or presence of sunlight..
The light green leaflets show dense hairiness over the entire underside surface. In contrast, only a narrow line of hairs is seen through the bundle along the main vein.
The tiny flowers, barely 10 mm in diameter, have 5 slightly hirsute lanceolate yellow petals. They are arranged on a short peduncle in a solitary way in an axillary position and alternate along the stem. Flowering occurs during spring and summer.
The fruit is a hanging schizocarp composed of 5 sharp fruits or mericarps arranged alternately like the flowers. Each fruit of firm consistency is formed by 2 sharp spines 10 mm long, 2 shorter spines and several persistent glandular hairs.
Larger spines are extremely sharp, capable of causing a deep wound in the skin or stinging a bicycle tire. Each mericarp or indehiscent dried fruit contains 3-4 oval seeds with a membranous seed coat and lacking endosperm..
The phytochemical analysis of leaves, young shoots and fruits has made it possible to determine the natural presence of various active substances.
These include the steroidal saponosides dioscin, protodioscin, pseudoprotodioscin, tribestin, prototribestin, terrestrosins AK, tribulosin and tribulosapins A and B. In addition to the b-carboline alkaloids harmano and norharmano and others, the flavonoids kaempferol, quercetin and rutinides, and the tribulusamides A and B.
The content of each of these bioactive principles depends on the structure of the analyzed plant and its degree of development..
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Zygophyllales
- Family: Zygophyllaceae
- Subfamily: Tribuloideae
- Gender: Tribulus
- Species: Tribulus terrestris L., 1753
- Tribulus: the genus name comes from the Greek term "τρίβολος" which means "tribulus" a type of weapon in the shape of a club with 4 spiny tips. In reference to the similarity of the fruits of the caltrop to a tribulus.
- terrestris: The specific adjective is related to the creeping growth of the species.
- Tribulus muricatus Stokes.
- Tribulus orientalis A. Kern.
- Tribulus terrestris var. orientalis (A. Kern.) Beck.
- Tribulus terrestris var. albidus Friv.
- Tribulus lanuginosus L.
- Tribulus saharae A. Chev.
- Tribulus terrestris subsp. orientalis (A. Kern.) Dostál.
- Tribulus terrestris var. sericeus Andersson ex Svenson.
The species Tribulus terrestris It is native to warm temperate and tropical regions in southern Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australia. At present it is naturalized throughout the world, being considered an invasive species in some regions..
It grows on any type of soil, both compact and mechanized, although it has a preference for well-drained, calcareous soil. It is located on the edge of roads, vacant or abandoned land, gutters, cobblestones, dumps, even in very poor soils and xerophilous ecosystems.
The presence of bioactive elements such as alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids and saponins provide it with various medicinal and therapeutic properties. In addition, it contains amino acids, phytosterols, glycosides, proteins and terpenoids that promote the proper development of the body's physiological activities..
The saponins include spirostanol and furostanol, the steroids protodioscin and protogracillin, and the flavonoids derived from kaempferol and quercetin. Most of these metabolites have a beneficial effect on the immune, reproductive and sexual systems, as well as increasing muscular and physical endurance..
Similarly, in herbal medicine it has been used since ancient times for the preventive treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and, in man, erectile dysfunction. Among its medicinal properties, its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and hepatoprotective or antihepatotoxicity stand out..
Caltrop extracts have antibacterial and antifungal properties, preventing the growth of batteries and fungi in the urinary tract. In fact, it has the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus Y Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Its various active components intervene in the process of cell death and metastasis of cancer cells, preventing their expansion.
The antioxidant activity of saponins reduces the presence of free radicals that act on aging processes and cellular stress. Its bioactive components improve the symptoms of intraocular pressure in experimental animals.
The bioactive activity of saponins favors the decrease of glucose levels in the blood and improves the symptoms of diabetes in insulin-dependent patients. Laboratory studies have confirmed the reduction of cholesterol levels in the blood in laboratory animals.
Its consumption allows to reduce the inflammation process in a similar way to the drug "Diclofenac", inhibiting the appearance of histamine at the time of injury. Its anti-inflammatory effect is equivalent to the consumption of 20 mg of the drug "Diclofenac Sodium".
The presence of various active components protects against the appearance of kidney stones and the urinary system. Its regular consumption allows to inhibit the crystallization of calcium oxalate, the main component of kidney stones, reducing its accumulation in the urine..
Saponins, especially dioscin, diosgenin, and protodioscin have shown a protective effect against certain cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac ischemia. Likewise, it favors cardiac function and coronary circulation..
Its regular consumption regulates the nervous system, reduces sleep disorders or insomnia, helping the person to sleep. It also moderates anxiety problems and improves the mood of people in a state of depression.
Various clinical studies have determined that plant extracts promote sexual function by increasing testosterone levels. Indeed, its intake activates the libido in postmenopausal women and in men it favors fertility.
Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity favors the protection of the nervous system, preventing certain neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer's or brain injuries. Its activity is focused on reducing the presence of free radicals such as nitric oxide after a brain hemorrhage.
The improvement in the performance and capacity of athletes is produced by its effect similar to epinephrine and testosterone. Similarly, its intake increases the production of cortisol, which reduces the symptoms of fatigue during training..
Its main effect is manifested in the anabolic and androgenic action of testosterone in the body, regulating hormonal levels for optimal performance. Laboratory studies have made it possible to determine the increase in muscle mass and extend the period of exhaustion.
The various bioactive components of thistle help to strengthen the immune system. Its intake calms chronic fatigue and helps prevent certain liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or hemochromatosis.
- Its consumption must be under medical supervision and prescription, since among its components there are various potentially toxic alkaloids.
- It is restricted in pregnant women, during the lactation period, children under 8 years of age and patients with photosensitivity problems or liver diseases..
- Frequent intake can reduce blood glucose levels, making it necessary for the doctor to adjust the recommended medication to control diabetes.
- In postoperative patients, its consumption is limited, since it affects blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is recommended to avoid its consumption 15-20 days before surgery.
- The side effects of infusions, decoctions, extracts or tinctures have not reported discomfort or serious ailments. Its oral intake is recommended for a short period of time, no more than 10-12 days.
- Side effects include cramps, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, insomnia, nausea and vomiting.
- It is not recommended to chew or eat the fruit directly due to its toxic effect..
- The infusion or tea is the usual way of consumption, it is prepared by mixing a teaspoon of the dried plant in a cup of boiling water. It can be sweetened with a little honey or consumed alone to take advantage of all its therapeutic properties. It is recommended to take 2-3 times a day.
- It is common to prepare a 5% decoction of the plant or a 2% maceration. It is recommended to consume 100-150 ml of the decoction or 250 ml of macerate, both doses on an empty stomach.
- In the same way, with the dried plant a 1: 1 extract in boiled water or a 1:10 tincture is prepared. From the stratum 10 drops 1-3 times a day are recommended, from the tincture 20-30 drops 3 times a day.
- Topically, the decoction of the plant is applied on wounds or eczema as a compress, friction or washes. In the same way, maceration can be applied on external wounds, stomatitis, pharyngitis, ulcers or periodontitis..
The thistle is an easy plant to propagate that is planted both in pots and directly on the ground. Commercially, sowing is done in seedbeds to prevent the detrimental effect of frost on their growth.
It is advisable to use a sandy, humid and well-drained substrate, trying to cover the seeds with a thin layer of sand. Germination occurs 40 days after sowing, being the precise moment to carry out the transplant to the definitive ground..
Irrigation depends on the environmental conditions and the water needs of the plant, it is watered only when the dry substrate is observed. In general, in its initial growth phase it requires keeping the substrate humid, not flooded, an adult plant supports better the hydric deficiency.
In the wild it is very palatable for cattle, however, its fruits can cause damage to the mouth of sheep and goats. In fact, they easily adhere to the skin and hoof of animals, which favors their dispersion, which is why in some areas it is considered invasive..
Fresh seeds present physiological dormancy and their germination percentage is very low, which is why they require a period of rest during the cold months. It is recommended to stratify on wet sand for 1-3 months to break its dormant state..
The best indicator of the end of dormancy are bulky seeds or with signs of sprouting, in this way they will be ready for sowing. In addition, germination begins during the cool months when the temperature and humidity conditions are conducive..
Warm conditions are essential during the germination and growth process. Flowers generally appear 20-25 days after flowering begins and fruiting occurs continuously throughout the summer and fall..
The thistle is a highly invasive plant, the creeping growth habit and continuous fruit production favors constant multiplication. The provision of a plastic barrier under the plant favors the harvest and collection of ripe fruits.
Yet No Comments