Puncture vine
Scientific name
Tribulus terrestris L.
English Name
Puncture vine
Malayalam name
ഞെരിഞ്ഞിൽ
Common name
Gokhru
Description
- Habit : Herb
- Habitat : Open deciduous forests
- Leaves : Opposite, pinnately compund
- Flowers : yellow , wide
Uses
Stomach problems, bladder stones, ocular disorders
Parts used
Whole plant
How to use
- For stomach problems and bladder stones : Boil the dried fruit powder to make a tea (decoction) or mix it with barley water and honey, which helps flush the urinary tract and aid digestion.
- For male reproductive disorders : Mix a teaspoon of the fruit powder with warm milk and drink it at night to boost vitality and libido.
- To support ocular health and relieve eye inflammation : consume the powder mixed with a small amount of ghee internally, which cools the body and nourishes the eyes.
Propagation & Cultivation
Propagated mainly by seeds, requiring pre-treatment (soaking, gibberellic acid, or moist stratification) to break dormancy, with best sowing in warm spring months (Feb-Mar) in well-drained, sunny spots. Cultivation involves direct sowing, minimal irrigation (only dry spells), basic weeding, and fertile soil, but be cautious as it's invasive, so use barriers to contain burrs