Also known as Tribulus terristris, Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, Goat Head, Devil’s Thorn, Devil’s Weed, Tackweed, Ground Caltrop, Mexican Sand-burr, Bullhead, Cats Head, Texas Sand-burr, Gokshura Introduction Tribulus terrestris, also known as the puncture vine, grows naturally in many places throughout the world, including North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. In many places, it is considered a pest weed that grows in vacant lots and on roadsides, but the indigenous populations have often had a different use for the noxious weed. Tribulus fruits consist of several single-seeded nutlets, each of which bears two or three spikes sharp enough to puncture bicycle tires. In southern Africa these spikes have been sometimes coated with the sap of Acokanthera venenata (bushman’s poison, a cardiotoxin) and used to commit homicide. Constituents saponins (protodioscin, furostanol), glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, sugars, sterols, essential oils, Terrestrinins A and B, protodioscin Parts Used Whole or diced fruit and powder Typical Preparations Tea, extract, and encapsulated powder Precautions Not for persons with stomach inflammation, ulcers, serious digestion or liver disorders. May cause gastro-intestinal upset. For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.