PARTE UTILIZADA=Used part: Semillas.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA=Pharmacological action: Astringente, hemorragias nasales.

POSOLOGÍA=Posology: Las semillas son astringentes y su cocimiento es recomendable para las hemorragias nasales. También es recomendable para hacer gárgaras y buches para irritaciones en las encías. El cocimiento en este caso se prepara con 30 gramos de semillas por litro de agua.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA=Chemical composition: From the methanolic ext. of the roots of Tribulus cistoides the cardioactive saponin-3, which is known to occur in the leaves, was isolated along with tribulosin, a pregnane-type glycoside and eight new cholestane glycosides.  D-(+)-Pinitol and sucrose were major constituents.  The structures were established by spectroscopic studies of the isolated compds., their acetylated derivs. and their hydrolyzation products.  Chem. conversions revealed the configurations at C-22 and C-25, resp.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA=Geografical zone: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay.

Occurrence
Tropical America up to the south of the USA. In Venezuela it is found in hot and dry regions on dry spots and frequently along the sea shore.

Ethnobotanical and general use

Medical use
Leaves, roots, fruits and seeds are medicinally applied. Ground and cooked leaves are applied as an emollient cataplasm for abscesses and tumors. A decoction is also used to cleanse wounds. Roots in decoction are tonic and diuretic. Seeds are astringent. A decoction of the seeds is used for nasal and intestinal haemorrhage, as a gargle and mouth wash for buccal affections, for a sore throat and swollen gums.

Method of use
As a decoction or cataplasm. Abscesses are treated several times a day with some drops of a 2 or 10% decoction, according to whether it is used internally or externally.

Healing properties
Astringent, antiinflammatory, diuretic, haemostatic, antispasmodic, disinfectant, as an emmenagogue. The fruits of T. terrestris L. are used as a diuretic.

Toxicity
In Australia it is said that the plant has caused the death of stock when eaten on an empty stomach. Likewise in Colombia it is believed to be poisonous to animals.

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Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

In Jamaica this plant is used for colds and malaria, and also apparently for kidney and bladder infections.

1) CONSELL, Danilo M. Enciclopedia de plantas que curan. Buenos Aires: Ediliba, 1987. 2 volúmenes. p. 6

2) ACHENBACH, Hans; HUEBNER, Harald; REITER, Melchior. Cholestane- and pregnane-type glycosides from the roots of Tribulus cistoides. Phytochemistry. 1996, Vol.41, nº3, p.907-17.

3) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

4) Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts I & II. – p. 30.