Jí Lí (蒺藜) — Tribulus Fruit

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Cautions and contraindications
6. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Jí Lí (蒺藜), also known as Bái Jí Lí or Cì Jí Lí, is the dried ripe fruit of Tribulus terrestris. It belongs to the category of Herbs that extinguish Wind and stop tremors (also classified by some sources under herbs that clear the Liver) in the Chinese Materia Medica. In Chinese herbal medicine it is used principally to calm Liver Yang ascending, ease constraint with chest and breast distension, and dispel Wind from the skin and eyes.

I prescribe Jí Lí as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Calms the Liver and subdues rising Yang
2. Eases Liver Qi constraint with chest and breast distension
3. Dispels Wind and stops itching
4. Brightens the eyes

Indications

1. Headache and dizziness from Liver Yang ascending or Liver Wind stirring
2. Premenstrual breast tenderness and chest fullness from Liver Qi stagnation
3. Itchy skin from Wind — urticaria, vitiligo, chronic dermatitis
4. Red, itchy, dry eyes and photophobia from Liver Wind

4. Modern research

Tribulus terrestris fruit contains steroidal saponins (notably protodioscin), flavonoids and alkaloids. Pharmacological studies report mild antihypertensive, diuretic, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. The herb has been widely (and often misleadingly) marketed as a "testosterone booster" in the sports supplement industry — clinical evidence for that specific claim in healthy adults is weak. The traditional Chinese use described above is not the same as the modern sport-supplement application and rests on a different evidence base.

5. Cautions and contraindications

Use with caution in patients with Blood deficiency presenting with weak vision and dryness, where the dispersing action may aggravate the picture. Avoid in pregnancy. Drug interactions with antihypertensives are plausible at higher doses.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

6. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Jí Lí as part of tailored herbal formulas for tension-type and Liver-Yang-rising headaches, premenstrual breast distension and irritability, and Wind-itch skin presentations including urticaria. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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