Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Gokhru/Caltrops

Gokhru is an effective traditional herb that is widely used throughout the world because of its powerful medicinal values. 

It is effectively used to treat various urinary related diseases and promotes the function of the kidney. The fruit and root of this herb can be used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicines to treat many diseases. 

The ash of this plant also treats rheumatoid arthritis. Gokhru is an excellent aphrodisiac agent that improves sexual performance for male and females. 

It is also used as a worshiped herb for Hindu religious festivals. Gokhru is an ancient herb that has a wide range of applications.

About Gokhru 

Gokhru is a perennial plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family. It generally grows in Asia, Southern Europe, throughout Australia and Africa. 

It is a great adaptable plant that withstands hard environments, and it grows in dry climates like dessert. It is botanically known as Tribulus Terrestris and grows well in light-textured soils widely. 

The rootlets grow from the taproot of the plant to get moisture from the soils, so it withstands warm environments. The stems of this plant grow 10 cm to 1 m from the crown. 

The stems contain dense hairs. The leaves of this plant are very small and opposite. The hairy leaflets are 1⁄8 inch long. The Caltrops flowers are 4-10 mm wide, which has five sepals, ten stamens, and five petals with lemon-yellow color. 

The flowers blossom from April to October month in Southern California. The fruits of Caltrops are separated into five nutlets that have 2-3 sharp spines. 

The spines are 4-6 mm wide and 10 mm long. The nutlet has the same appearance as the head of the bulls and goats. The spine of the nutlets is sharp enough to puncture the cycle tire and injure your feet.

Common Names of Gokhru (Caltrops):

Botanical Name: Tribulus Terrestris
English Name: Caltrops, Puncture vine
Tamil Name: Nerunjil, Nerinjil
Malayalam Name: Nerinjil
Telugu Name: Palleru
Kannada Name: Neggilamullu
Hindi Name: Gokhru
Marathi Name: Chikana, Bala, Tupkaria
Punjabi Name: Gokhru, Bhakhra
Bengali Name: Gokhri, Gokshura
Sanskrit Name: Trikata, Gokshuraka, Trikantaka

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses of Gokhru / Caltrops

Gokhru or Caltrops provide various health benefits due to its powerful medicinal properties. It contains rich amounts of nutrients that helps to treat several diseases. 

It is mainly used for improving kidney function and treats urinary problems. It also plays a major role in treating kidney stones and related problems.

Gokhru Benefits for Kidney Stone

Gokhru provides effective treatment for urinary related diseases such as painful urination, urinary incontinence, burning sensation, etc. 

Generally, urinary problems occur due to the formation of stone in the kidney. The diuretic property of Gokhru helps to relieve and improve the flow of urination. 

Consuming Gokhru with cow’s milk helps to decrease the pain and burning sensation during urination. Regular consumption of Gokhru helps to dissolve the kidney stones in the urinary tract and makes the urine flow smoother. 

The anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties present in Gokhru clears the microbes in the tract and prevents urinary infections. 

It also prevents urinary tract bleeding and cystitis diseases. The lithotriptic activity of Gokhru regulates kidney functioning.

Boosts Sexual Energy and Stamina

Gokhru has been used as an effective remedy for sexual performance since ancient times. It is an excellent herb that improves the health and stamina for men. 

The aphrodisiac property present in Gokhru helps to improve evolution and the production of sperm. It is a great natural medicine to treat fertility issues. 

It improves libido in both men and women. It also improves sperm quality in men. It regulates the testosterone hormone level. 

The powerful spermatogenic property of Gokhru helps to provide effective treatment for asthenozoospermia, teratospermia, teratospermia, and oligospermia. 

It contains numerous natural antioxidants that help to increase the production of luteinizing and testosterone. 

It also prevents premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. According to studies, consumption of Gokhru improves the sexual satisfaction.

Relieves PCOS

PCOS is a common problem faced by many teenage and young females. It occurs due to the infertility, irregular periods, hormonal imbalance, mood swings, hair loss, acne, etc. 

It may cause difficulties during pregnancy. The powerful diuretic property of Gokhru helps to remove excess water. It is very effective in managing the levels of hormones in the blood and improves the organs of the female reproductive system and improves maturation. 

According to studies, regular consumption of Gokhru helps to stimulate hormones and relieves the symptoms of PCOS. 

It increases the capacity of exercise and prevents diabetes in women who have suffered from PCOS. The combination of Gokhru and Ashwagandha provides better results.

Improves Heart Health

Gokhru contains lots of natural anti-oxidative that have  powerful cardiovascular properties to improve the functioning of the heart and prevent diseases associated with the heart. 

It provides effective treatment for various heart diseases. It strengthens the heart muscles, and it prevents the lipid formation. 

It prevents atherosclerosis by inhibiting the formation of other parts in the blood vessels. It promotes the functioning of the heart by increasing the blood flow and ATP levels in the body. 

It effectively relieves heart diseases and decreases heart attacks. Gokhru helps to decrease the level of cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and hypertension. 

Thus, it decreases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, etc. The powerful anti-tumor and antibiotic properties of Gokhru helps to prevent cancer.

Gokhru for Kidney Stone

Gokhru effectively promotes the functions of the kidney by managing the level of uric acid and eliminates excessive uric acid in the kidney. 

It contains an anti-lithiasis property that helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones by decreasing the calcium level in blood. 

It also helps to decrease the size of stones and prevents many diseases such as cystitis, polycystic kidney diseases. It prevents frequent urination. The diuretic property of Gokhru helps to eliminate excessive minerals in your body.

Caltrops Use for Bodybuilding

Caltrops are the most famous herbs among the bodybuilders to strengthen their muscles and body. It is the best natural way to make your muscles and body structure. 

Nowadays, men use steroid injections to maintain fitness that may be harmful in a long-time, but Gokhru is a natural alternative for steroids. 

Consume Gokhru regularly for a long time helps to improve muscles and body strength. Gokhru releases nitric oxide, which is a gas that extends the blood vessels to supply the oxygens to muscles properly, so it improves testosterone and muscles. Gokhru contains various minerals that help to improve the muscles and body strength.

Helps in Digestion

Gokhru contains powerful digestive properties that help to improve the digestive system. It promotes the digestive juice secretion and improves digestion by boosting the absorption of the nutrients. 

It effectively treats digestion-related symptoms such as abdominal pain, irritable bowel system, abdominal distension, and ulcerative colitis and also inhibits fluid retention.

Slow down Aging

Gokhru is an effective herb that acts as an anti-aging agent and slows down the process of aging. It treats all aging problems and slows down aging by improving libido and increases the level of testosterone. 

The regular consumption of Gokhru helps to make your skin glow and young. It also helps to treat various psychological diseases associated with aging symptoms such as wrinkles, fine lines, etc. It improves the strength of the muscles.

Relieves Pain

Tribulus Terrestris is an effective painkiller that helps to provide great relief from pain. It contains powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve pain. 

The powdered form of Gokhru plays an important role in decreasing pain and inflammation, so it is widely used to cure joint pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Improves Brain Functions

Gokhru is an effective remedy to improve the functions of pain. It contains MOA inhibitors that help to regulate the serotonin level. 

Serotonin is a hormone that affects the mental and emotional state. Gokhru contains powerful antioxidants that help to improve the concentration, memory capacity, focus, alertness, and calmness. 

The powdered form of Gokhru helps to improve problem-solving, reasoning, cognitive abilities, memory. The regular consumption of Gokhru helps to treat psychological imbalances, headaches, Parkinson’s diseases, and reduces stress and tension. The Neuro-protective property present in Gokhru helps to treat mild to severe neurological diseases.

Reduces Water Retention

The powerful diuretic property present in Gokhru helps to eliminate excess water in your body and decreases the cyst size. Gokhru is an effective remedy to treat diabetes. Glucose intolerance may cause diabetes so that Gokhru effectively fights against glucose intolerance.

Fights against Cancer

According to research, Gokhru is an effective natural medicine to treat cancer. It helps to eliminate the free radicals and prevent spreading cancer cells. 

The powerful antitumor property of Gokhru helps to cure the cancer tumors. The regular consumption of Gokhru prevents breast and prostate cancer.

Gokhru Benefits for Skin

In Ayurveda, Gokhru is an effective remedy to cleanse your skin. It contains powerful natural antioxidants that help to treat oxidative free radical damage that occurs due to sun rays. 

Nowadays, there are lots of youngsters who are affected by acne, dark circles, dots, breakouts, etc. The regular consumption of Gokhru helps to eliminate and prevent these symptoms. 

It helps to treat all symptoms related to aging, such as wrinkles, dark circles, fine lines, etc. The healing properties present in Gokhru helps to heal acne, itchiness, wounds, skin inflammation, etc. 

Prepare a paste using 2 teaspoons of Gokhru powder, 2-3 teaspoons of rose water, and 1 teaspoon of honey. 

Apply this paste on your face and wash with cool water after 15 minutes. Repeat this two times per week helps to decrease fine lines, wrinkles and makes your skin smooth.

Reduces Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety and Depression may lead to various severe diseases that can occur in all age groups of people. Gokhru is an effective remedy to decrease depression, anxiety, and mental stress, etc. 

The powerful antidepressant and anxiolytic action present in Gokhru effectively treat symptoms related to depression. It contains saponins that help to decrease the level of serum cortisol.

Gokhru for Creatinine

In Ayurveda, Gokhru is an effective herb that helps to decrease the level of creatinine in your body. It helps to improve the filtration capacity of the kidney, maintain the kidney health, and regenerate the kidney cells. In Ayurvedic formulation, it provides effective treatment without causing side effects.

Other Uses of Caltrops / Gokhru

• Gokhru helps to prevent clumps that stimulate stress in blood platelets.
• It strengthens your body and improves the growth of muscles.
• Decreases sodium, fluid retention, and the cholesterol level in your body.
• Caltrops help to stimulate the hormonal immune system and increase the count of red blood cells and white blood cells.
• It improves the performance of athletes by boosting testosterone and muscle mass.
• It decreases high blood pressure, joint pain, arthritis, and flank pain.
• The litholytic and Anti-urolithiatic action present in Gokhru helps to treat kidney stones and urinary tract diseases.
• Gokhru is an effective remedy for treating menopause and premenstrual syndrome.
• It boosts libido, strength, and stamina in sexual performances.
• The powerful aphrodisiac property of Gokhru helps to treat fertility problems and improves the production of sperm.

Traditional Benefits of Gokhru / Caltrops

• Gokhru is an effective herb widely used in Ayurveda medicine to treat diseases associated with the kidney, such as urinary tract diseases, burning sensation, etc.
• It contains a diuretic property that helps to treat kidney stones, diseases related to urogenital, and effectively maintains the functions of the kidney.
• Gokhru improves heart health and provides effective treatment for diseases related to the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure, anemia, angina, high cholesterol, and poor circulation.
• It is an effective remedy to treat the male reproductive system in the traditional Chinese system.
• Gokhru is an effective herb for bodybuilders to regulate the level of testosterone.
• Gokhru is widely used in Ayurveda to improve sexual performance in both males and females since ancient times.
• It improves libido, stamina, and energy and also treats kidney renal stones. It is effectively used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
• In Chinese medicine, it acts as a liver tonic and used to treat overeating and food poisoning.
• Gokhru contains powerful properties that help to dissolve the gall bladder stones and treats Bright’s diseases.
• It is an effective blood purifier and fights against itchy skin. It is used to treat the nervous system and reproductive system.
• It regulates the digestive system and increases appetite.
• It relieves joint pain, arthritis, and rheumatism.
• The leaves of Gokhru used to treat diabetes.
• Gokhru helps to treat breathing difficulties and heart-related diseases.

Nutritional Values of Gokhru (Caltrops)

The various nutritional contents and their values in 100 grams of Gokhru.

Nutrient	Value
Energy	73.48 Kcal
Carbohydrates	15.9 g
Proteins	1.3 g
Fats	0.25 g
Flavonoids	19.92
Vitamin C	14.2 mg
Calcium	59 mg

Dosage of Caltrops / Gokhru

Dosage of Gokhru can vary from person to person based on the age, condition, severity, and formulation of the herb. It is better to consult your doctor before taking  Gokhru because they will check your condition and prescribe the proper dosage. The overdose may cause various side effects. The general dosage of Gokhru is described as follows in different formulations.

Gokhru Tablet Dosage

Take 1-2 tablets along with warm water or milk after a meal according to the prescription.

Gokhru Guggulu Dosage

Consume 500mg – 1 gm of Guggulu rawly or along with water after meals based on the prescription.

Gokhru Kwath Dosage

Take 4-6 teaspoon of Gokhru Kwath along with water or milk after food according to the prescription.

Gokhru Side Effects

Gokhru is considered as safe, and it doesn’t provide side effects when you take in the proper dosage. It may cause some side effects when you overdose without consulting your doctor. In this case, it is possible to have the following side effects.

• Stomach Pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sleeplessness
• Nausea
• Cramps 

Excessive bleeding during menstrual

Pregnancy & Lactation

According to the research, it is strictly recommended to avoid Gokhru during pregnancy and lactation because it may cause abnormal or birth deficiency to the child. The effect of the medicine can pass through the child from the mother through breast milk that can affect other problems.

Interactions

Gokhru may interfere with the person who has taken medicine for high blood pressure and diabetes. Thus, it is better to consider the doctor’s advice before taking Gokhru.

Conclusion

Caltrops or Gokhru is an effective traditional herb that has numerous nutrients and provides various health benefits for many diseases. It is mainly used to improve the function of the kidney and provides effective treatment for all diseases associated with kidney disease. It also used to improve fertility, cardiovascular system, and sexual performance. The combination of Gokhru with several herbs provides better results.