Medicinal use of Gokhru (Puncture vine)

Gokhru ( Tribulus terrestris ) is prostrate spreading medicinal herb which is found almost throughout India up to 3000 m altitude. In most part of India it is known as Gokhru Kata. It has many common names like cathead, yellow vine, goathead, burra gokharu, puncture vine, bindii, etc. In Indian market is sold with brand name gokhru kadha. It is one of the ten roots used in preparation of Dashmula.

Gokhru is used to treat various clinical conditions like sexual weakness in men, kidney dysfunction, urine problem, dysuria, Leucorrhoea (Shveta Pradar), etc. It helps in breaking and elimination of the kidney stone from the body. It also prevents recurrent stone formation. Gokhru also increases hormones secretion in the body. It supports testosterone production and muscles building.

General Information

Gokharu common Names

1. Latin name: Tribulus terrestris Linn (Zygophyllaceae)
2. Sanskrit Name: Laghu gokhru
3. English name: Small Caltrops, land Caltrops
4. Hindi name: Gokshura, Gokhru
5. Kannada: Sanna neggilu
6. Malayalam: Neringil
7. Marathi: Sarata
8. Tamil: Nerunji
9. Telugu: Palleru

Gokhru Parts used

Fruit, Roots, whole plant

Here are remedies that can be done at home using Gokhru

• Sexual weakness, Low sperm count, erectile dysfunction

  Boil Gokhru powder, ashwagandha powder in one cup milk. Drink twice a day for ten days. Gokhru contains saponins which stimulates secretion of Testosterone and promotes spermatogenesis.

• Kidney problem, Kidney stone, Recurrent stone formation

  Prepare decoction of Gokhru fruit or panchang (all parts of Gokhru herb) in water and drink twice a day.

• Increased Serum Creatinine, Blood urea, Uric acid in the body

  Take gokhru, Sonth(Dry ginger), methi (Fenugreek seeds) and ashwagandha in equal quantities. Grind to make powder. Take this powder twice a day. This decreases Uric acid and gives relief in swelling.

• Coughing (Khansi aana)

  Take Gokhru, tulsi leaves and dry ginger powder. Grind and take in small amount.

• Frequent urination, urine infection, prostrate problem

  Mix black sesame powder and Gokhru powder in equal quantity. Take twice a day.

• Urine blockage, painful urination

  Take Gokhru fruits (1 tsp ), coriander seeds ( ½ tbsp) in water (450 ml). Cook till volume reduces to half. Drink prepared infusion (2 tbsp.) twice a day for a few days.

• Blood in urine

  Take whole plant of Gokhru. Wash to clean dirt and soil. Grind the herb to extract juice (¼ cup). Mix this juice in a cup of buttermilk and drink for ten days.

• Jaundice

  Take whole Gokhru plant, clean it and dry in shade. Grind to make powder. Mix this powder with cinnamon (1 tsp), cardamoms (6), and misri (1/4 cup). Take this powder (1/2 tsp ) three times a day with water.

• Weakness, muscle building

  Mix gokhru, mulehti, bhringraj and amla. Grind to make powder and take twice a day.

• Uterus infection and inflammation

  Prepare decotion of Gokhru fruit ( 10 gm) and ajwain (2 gm) in water and drink for a few days.

• This is also good for the digestive system.

• Leucorrhoea

  Take fresh Gokhru and bhumi amla. Grind and make paste. Take this paste (1 tbsp) with yoghurt twice a day for 10 days.

Gokhru has diuretic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Its ability to promote urination is clinically tested.

Here are some important medicines containing Gokharu as chief ingredients

Gokhru churna is a herbal Ayurvedic medicine in powder form used to treat painful urination, UTI, kidney diseases, inflammation and cough.

Gokshuradi Guggul is a herbal Ayurvedic medicine. It contains Gokshuru, Triphala, Trikatu and Musta. This medicine has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties and indicated in the treatment of the urinary problems.

Dhatupaushtik Churna is an Ayurvedic medicine This powder is nutritive tonic and cures weakness. In Ayurveda, Dhatu refers to tissues, the most important elements that make up body.

Amrutadi Churna herbal medicine is useful in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and kidney stone.

Aimil Neeri is prepared from natural ingredients and used to treat various types of the urinary disorders like urinary calculi (kidney stone), urinary tract infections and prostate associated disorders.

Charak Femiforte contains bark of Ashoka, Lodhra and several other ingredients. Femiforte has an astringent action which arrest excessive vaginal discharge( leucorrhoea).

Himalaya Tentex forte contains natural ingredients and is a non-hormonal sex stimulant. Its intake improves sexual performance. It has anti-stress and adaptogenic properties.

Hempushpa is an ayurvedic medicine to cure women related health problems such as regulating periods, blood purification, irritability, improving appetite and general health.

Cystone is indicated in the treatment and prevention of the urinary calculi. Cystone is available as tablets and syrup.