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What is IO Genix Tribulus?
IO Genix Tribulus is a dry extract of Tribulus terrestris in capsules, enriched with vitamin B6. Two capsules provide 2,000 mg of extract, of which 1,800 mg are saponins, i.e. a 90% standardisation. The bottle holds 100 capsules, which comes to 50 days at the daily dose set by the manufacturer.
Tribulus, also known as puncture vine, is a creeping plant from dry regions, long used in the Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions. What interests supplement manufacturers are its steroidal saponins, and protodioscin in particular. Hence the importance of standardisation: an extract at 90% saponins has nothing to do with raw plant powder, where the content is measured in single-digit percentages.
This is the point to watch when comparing two tribulus products. A product advertising "1,000 mg of tribulus" without saying what percentage it is standardised to may contain ten times fewer saponins than this one. Here, the figure is printed on the label and can be checked. The rest of the Spanish range can be browsed in our IO Genix section, and the full category in our tribulus terrestris section.
What does a dose of Tribulus contain?
| Composition | Per 2 capsules (daily dose) | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Dry extract of Tribulus terrestris | 2,000 mg | NRV not established |
| of which saponins | 1,800 mg (90%) | NRV not established |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) | 1.4 mg | 100% |
| Pack size | 100 capsules, i.e. 50 days at two capsules per day | |
1,800 mg of saponins per day is a straightforward dose, at the top of what is offered in this category. Many products on the market stop at 500 or 750 mg of extract standardised to 40 or 60%, which gives three to five times fewer saponins for an equivalent number of capsules. If you are comparing two labels, that is the line to set side by side, never the gross weight of the extract.
The vitamin B6 is not there by chance, and it is the only ingredient in the formula that carries authorised claims in Europe. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. These are the exact wordings of the European framework. At 1.4 mg, the daily dose covers 100% of the nutrient reference value, which is amply enough to qualify for these wordings.
As for tribulus itself, let us be clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe. Not for testosterone, not for libido, not for strength, not for muscle mass. The dossiers submitted did not succeed. And on the substance of it, the published work in healthy adult men does not show any increase in circulating testosterone. This is information most sellers in this category would rather not give; we prefer you to have it before you buy rather than after.
Data missing from the manufacturer's file: the composition of the capsule shell is not specified, so it is not possible to state that it is plant-based. We will not infer it. The information appears on the packaging as received.
List of ingredients
Tribulus dry extract (Tribulus terrestris L., 90% saponins), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride).
May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.
How should Tribulus be taken?
Dose: 2 capsules. Liquid: a glass of water, 200 to 250 ml. Timing: 30 minutes before training, or split one in the morning and one in the evening with a meal. Frequency: two capsules per day, in one or two servings. Duration: a 6 to 8 week course, then one to two weeks off before any repeat course.
The manufacturer allows two possible dosing patterns and they are not equivalent depending on how you use it. Taken all at once before the session, you concentrate the dose; split morning and evening, you spread the intake across the day. If you have a delicate stomach, the second option is the right one: tribulus taken on an empty stomach sometimes causes digestive discomfort, and a meal solves the problem.
Duration matters more than timing. A two-week course makes no sense with this kind of plant: the manufacturer sets out 6 to 8 weeks, and that is the minimum needed to form an opinion. The 100-capsule bottle covers 50 days, i.e. a little over seven weeks — it is sized exactly for one full course, which is rather well judged.
The one to two week break between courses comes from the traditional use of the plant, not from any documented safety constraint. Above all it has the merit of forcing you to take stock: if you notice nothing after eight weeks, it is more honest to stop than to reorder out of habit.
Tribulus combines without overlap with a ZMA taken at bedtime, with maca or with fenugreek, which belong to the same category but are based on different plants.
Who is Tribulus for, and who is it not for?
The manufacturer restricts this product to adult men. That is a firm position, and it deserves to be respected exactly as it is written on the packaging.
It is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for minors. It is not advised for people on medical treatment: tribulus is not an innocuous plant and the opinion of a doctor or pharmacist is essential before combining it with any medicine. People with allergies should note the possible traces of gluten, egg, milk, fish and soya.
What you should not expect from it, and this is the heart of this page. Tribulus does not build muscle. It does not raise testosterone in a healthy adult man — the available studies do not show it. It replaces neither structured training, nor adequate protein intake, nor proper sleep. If your goal is muscle mass, the money is better spent on a protein and on creatine monohydrate, two products whose effect on strength and mass is, by contrast, extensively documented.
It remains an interesting plant for anyone who wants to try it as part of a traditional use, with a standardised extract and a clearly stated dose. That is what we sell here: a dosed and transparent extract, not a promise.
Tribulus or ashwagandha?
The two plants often turn up in the same basket, and yet they do not answer the same logic.
Tribulus is a saponin-bearing plant, associated in the Ayurvedic tradition with male vitality. Its interest lies in the standardisation: at 90% saponins and 1,800 mg per day, this product is seriously dosed. But in terms of human data, the file remains thin.
Ashwagandha sits on different ground: it is an adaptogen, traditionally associated with stress management and sleep quality, and it is the more studied of the two plants. If your motivation is poor sleep or a demanding period, it is our ashwagandha section you should go to, not this one.
In which case is tribulus the better choice? When you are looking for precisely that plant, for a traditional use, and you want a highly standardised extract rather than a raw powder. That is a legitimate choice, provided you know what you are buying. For an intake of minerals linked to hormonal metabolism, zinc rests on authorised claims, which is not the case for tribulus — that is a difference in kind, not in degree.
Frequently asked questions
How many saponins per day with two capsules?
1,800 mg, from 2,000 mg of dry extract, i.e. a 90% standardisation. That is the only line to compare between two tribulus products. A product advertising 1,000 mg of extract standardised to 40% delivers only 400 mg of saponins, i.e. more than four times fewer for a similar-looking claim.
Does tribulus raise testosterone?
The published work in healthy adult men does not show it, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe. It is a plant of traditional use, sold as such. If you have a question about your hormone levels, what you need is a blood test and a doctor, not a supplement.
Why is there vitamin B6 in a tribulus product?
Because it is the only ingredient in the formula that carries authorised claims. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the normal functioning of the nervous system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. The 1.4 mg covers 100% of the nutrient reference value.
How long does one bottle last?
100 capsules, two a day: 50 days, i.e. a little over seven weeks. The pack size corresponds exactly to the 6 to 8 week course recommended by the manufacturer, which avoids having to reorder halfway through.
Can women take it?
The manufacturer explicitly restricts this product to adult men, and it is not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women. We stick to what is written on the packaging. For use by women, turn to other plants in the category and seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
Should it be taken on an empty stomach or with a meal?
Both are provided for by the manufacturer. On an empty stomach or between meals if you tolerate it well, with a meal if you have a sensitive stomach — tribulus sometimes causes digestive discomfort on an empty stomach. The pattern of one capsule in the morning and one in the evening with meals is the most comfortable.
Can it be combined with a creatine or a protein?
Yes, without overlap: these are three categories that do not work on the same basis. If your goal is mass and strength, start with creatine and protein, whose data are solid, and treat tribulus as a traditional-use supplement that comes afterwards.
Where can I buy IO Genix Tribulus?
The 100-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we are happy to sell, but never without saying what the studies do and do not show — a customer who buys in full knowledge comes back, a disappointed customer does not. The rest of our plants and supplements can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
Un gramme d'extrait titré par comprimé
Le tribule terrestre (Tribulus terrestris) est une petite plante rampante des régions chaudes, utilisée dans les traditions ayurvédique et chinoise. Ses fruits et parties aériennes contiennent des saponines stéroïdiennes, qui servent de marqueur de titrage.
NOW Foods en utilise un extrait standardisé à 45 % minimum de saponines, dosé à 1 000 mg par comprimé. Le comprimé apporte aussi 130 mg de calcium issu de carbonate de calcium.
Le flacon de 90 comprimés couvre trois mois à un comprimé par jour.
Composition par comprimé
Autres ingrédients : cellulose microcristalline, acide stéarique d'origine végétale, enrobage végétarien, dioxyde de silicium.
Végétarien. Sans blé, gluten, soja, lait, œuf, poisson, crustacés ni fruits à coque ajoutés.
Le calcium est nécessaire au maintien d'une ossature normale et contribue à une fonction musculaire normale.
Questions fréquentes
Que sont les saponines du tribulus ?
Des saponines stéroïdiennes, dont la protodioscine est la plus citée. Elles servent de marqueur de titrage : 45 % de 1 000 mg représentent au moins 450 mg de saponines par comprimé.
Quelle partie de la plante est utilisée ?
Le fruit et les parties aériennes. Les extraits du marché varient sur ce point, ce qui explique des titrages très différents d'une marque à l'autre.
Les comprimés conviennent-ils aux végétariens ?
Oui. L'enrobage est végétarien et la formule ne contient aucun ingrédient d'origine animale.
Qu'est-ce que le Tribulus et Shilajit de Skill Nutrition ?
C'est un complexe en gélules végétales qui associe deux extraits de plantes titrés et quatre autres actifs : extrait de fruit de Tribulus terrestris, extrait de shilajit, zinc, sélénium, bore et L-arginine.
Le tribulus, appelé Gokshura en Ayurveda, est cultivé pour les saponines stéroïdiennes de son fruit. Le shilajit est cette substance brun-noir qui suinte des roches de l'Himalaya, riche en acides fulviques et humiques. Les deux se retrouvent souvent ensemble dans les formules de vitalité : ici, ils sont accompagnés des minéraux qui portent les effets reconnus. Le reste de la gamme se parcourt dans notre rayon Skill Nutrition.
Ce qu'il y a dans le Tribulus et Shilajit
Les deux extraits sont fortement concentrés. 200 mg d'extrait de fruit de tribulus concentré vingt fois, soit l'équivalent de 4 000 mg de fruit. Et 200 mg d'extrait de shilajit concentré soixante fois, soit l'équivalent de 12 000 mg de shilajit. Ce sont ces ratios qui font la différence entre une poudre de plante et un vrai extrait.
Autour, la portion apporte 700 mg de L-arginine, l'acide aminé précurseur de l'oxyde nitrique, 10 mg de zinc, 110 µg de sélénium et 3 mg de bore. Le zinc contribue au maintien d'un taux normal de testostérone dans le sang ainsi qu'à une fertilité et une reproduction normales. Le sélénium contribue à une spermatogenèse normale et à protéger les cellules contre le stress oxydatif.
À qui s'adresse le Tribulus et Shilajit ?
Aux hommes qui cherchent une formule de vitalité construite autour de plantes titrées plutôt qu'un simple comprimé de zinc, et qui veulent voir les ratios d'extraction affichés sur l'étiquette. C'est le profil classique du rayon : trentenaire ou quarantenaire, entraînement régulier, envie de soutenir le terrain.
Le fabricant précise que la formule s'adresse aussi aux femmes attentives à leur vitalité. Trois formats sont en rayon, 60, 120 et 180 gélules, le plus grand étant le plus intéressant pour un usage suivi.
Questions fréquentes
Pourquoi prendre du tribulus ?
Pour les saponines stéroïdiennes de son fruit, c'est la raison pour laquelle il figure dans les formules de vitalité masculine depuis des décennies. Ici, l'extrait est concentré vingt fois.
Quels sont les effets du tribulus et du shilajit ?
Dans cette formule, les effets reconnus viennent des minéraux : le zinc contribue au maintien d'un taux normal de testostérone dans le sang et à une fertilité et une reproduction normales, le sélénium contribue à une spermatogenèse normale et à protéger les cellules contre le stress oxydatif.
Qu'est-ce que le shilajit ?
Une substance brun-noir qui suinte des roches de l'Himalaya, utilisée de longue date en Ayurveda. Elle est riche en acides fulviques et humiques, et l'extrait retenu ici est concentré soixante fois.
Pourquoi de la L-arginine dans la formule ?
Parce que c'est l'acide aminé précurseur de l'oxyde nitrique, impliqué dans la circulation sanguine. Il est présent à 700 mg par portion, ce qui en fait l'ingrédient le plus dosé en poids.
Le tribulus, c'est réservé aux hommes ?
Non. Le fabricant présente la formule pour les hommes comme pour les femmes qui s'intéressent à leur vitalité, même si les effets du zinc sur la testostérone la rendent surtout populaire côté masculin.
Quel est le meilleur moment pour prendre du tribulus ?
Le matin, au cours d'un repas : c'est ce que recommande Skill Nutrition. La régularité compte davantage que l'heure exacte.
Comment choisir son tribulus ?
En regardant le degré de concentration de l'extrait et ce qui l'accompagne. Ici, le ratio est affiché, et le tribulus ne travaille pas seul : shilajit, zinc, sélénium, bore et L-arginine complètent la liste.
Où acheter le Tribulus et Shilajit ?
Ici, sur kissnutrition.fr, avec expédition en France et dans toute l'Europe. Vous pouvez aussi venir le chercher à la boutique KISS NUTRITION de Vendargues, à dix minutes de Montpellier, où le rayon vitalité est en libre accès et où les trois formats sont côte à côte.
Toute la gamme de la marque est rassemblée sur la page Skill Nutrition.
What is Tribulus terrestris, and what is protodioscin?
Tribulus terrestris, also known as puncture vine or bindii, is a creeping plant from the Zygophyllaceae family, found in hot, dry regions on all continents—including the south of France, where it is mainly known for its spiky fruits that puncture bicycle tires. It is listed in several traditional pharmacopoeias.
The molecule that has driven its commercial success is protodioscin, a steroidal saponin. The vendors' reasoning follows a chain: protodioscin has a steroidal skeleton, so it resembles hormones, and therefore it increases their production. This chain is not a proven mechanism; it's a structural analogy. All labels that display a saponin content are based on this analogy.
Does tribulus increase testosterone?
No, and it needs to be stated clearly, because this is the promise on which this product has been sold for over twenty years.
Studies conducted in healthy men, with initially normal testosterone levels, show no increase. A systematic review published in 2025 in Nutrients, covering ten clinical studies, concluded there was no solid evidence of testosterone elevation: eight out of ten studies reported no significant change, and their subjects did not have low levels initially. The only two positive studies involved hypogonadic men, showing a modest elevation, with a methodological quality that the authors themselves described as low.
In other words: if your testosterone is normal, the available literature does not suggest it will increase. And if it's not, the answer is not a dietary supplement but a medical check-up. A real drop in testosterone can be diagnosed and treated; it cannot be bought in capsules.
The regulatory reminder is also important: no health claim is authorized in Europe for tribulus. The assessment of claims for plants has been suspended since 2010, and no validated wording exists. A vendor who states that it increases testosterone, libido, strength, or muscle mass is therefore doubly outside the scope: that of the law, and that of the data.
Why are two "90% standardized" tribulus products not equivalent?
This is the most misunderstood technical aspect in this category. A "90% saponin" standardization says nothing about protodioscin: saponins form a broad family, and the announced percentage adds them all together. Two extracts standardized to the same figure can contain vastly different amounts of protodioscin.
The variability is considerable and documented. Analytical work reviewed by European health agencies shows steroidal saponin content ranging from approximately 2.9% to 0.0015% depending on geographical origin and plant part—a ratio of more than a thousand between the extremes. Two chemotypes are described: one rich in protodioscin, found in Southeast Europe and West Asia; the other dominated by other saponins, found in India and Vietnam.
Practical consequence: on a tribulus label, look for the plant part, the geographical origin, and, if indicated, the protodioscin content—not just the total saponin percentage. A product that provides no information on these three points does not allow you to know what you are buying.
What dangers have been reported?
This is the part that sellers omit, and it's far from empty.
Pharmacovigilance literature reports cases of liver and kidney damage in humans. The scientific committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety (AESAN) has summarized them: one case of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity in a young adult after two days of infusions, reversible upon discontinuation; one case of nephrotoxicity secondary to cholestasis with hyperbilirubinemia in a young patient after several months. In animals, toxic effects on the liver and kidneys have been observed after prolonged oral administration.
The conclusion of this committee is unambiguous: the available toxicological data are insufficient to assess the safe use of tribulus plant parts, and a safe intake limit cannot be determined. This is not a carte blanche, nor a prohibition: it is an admission of ignorance, and it should weigh on your decision.
The resulting contraindications:
- Liver or kidney damage, history of hepatitis, treatment at risk for the liver or kidneys: avoid.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: no safety data, and reproductive effects described in animals.
- Children and adolescents: no data, no indication.
- Cardiovascular treatments and hypertension: effects on blood pressure are mentioned in traditional and experimental literature; your doctor's advice is necessary.
- Prostate pathology or urological follow-up: a medical question that we will not answer on their behalf.
- Athletes subject to anti-doping control: tribulus is not a prohibited substance, but cases of cross-contamination of "booster" supplements with undeclared steroids have been reported. Prioritize products tested by an independent program.
- Before surgery: report any intake to the anesthetist.
Any unusual reaction—abnormal fatigue, dark urine, jaundice, flank pain—warrants stopping and consulting without delay. These events can be reported to the ANSES nutrivigilance system.
What is its regulatory status in France?
Tribulus is authorized, with precise conditions that almost no one mentions.
Tribulus terrestris L. is indeed listed in the annex of the order of June 24, 2014 establishing the list of authorized plants in food supplements. Two mentions are attached to it and are worth reading. The authorized plant parts are "leaf, young shoot, fruit"—the root is not included. And the restrictions column includes an explicit requirement: "plant parts must be cooked."
This condition is rarely highlighted on packaging, even though it is the only restriction retained by French law for this plant. It prompts consideration of how a preparation was obtained and reminds us that a root-based product would fall outside the scope of the list.
At the European level, there is no harmonization for plants: each Member State decides, and the same product can be accepted in one country and not in another. The status described here is that in force on the date of writing and may evolve.
What quantity, and for whom?
No maximum daily regulatory dose is set in France for tribulus, and the Spanish assessment concludes that a safe intake level cannot be determined. Therefore, there is no "recommended" dosage that we can provide without misrepresenting the facts. Stick to the dose indicated on the label, do not combine several products containing it, and do not increase the dose on your own initiative.
Regarding duration, available clinical studies typically cover one to three months. This is the tested order of magnitude, not a promise, and data beyond that is scarce—a strong argument for limited-time use rather than continuous use.
And for whom? Tribulus is not a fundamental for a practitioner. This foundation relies on training, sleep, proteins, and creatine monohydrate, the only ergogenic aid whose effect on strength is solidly established. Start there, then move on to our boosters or amino acids; our complete guide places each category in its proper context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tribulus terrestris?
A creeping plant from hot, dry areas, known in French as croix-de-Malte or tribule terrestre, found even in the south of France where its spiny fruits are mainly known for puncturing bicycle tires. As a supplement, extracts standardized in steroidal saponins, including protodioscin, are sold. It has been sold for twenty years on a hormonal promise—a promise that clinical trials do not confirm, as detailed above.
What are the benefits of tribulus?
We will not announce any, for two cumulative reasons. The first is legal: no health claim is authorized in Europe for this plant, neither on testosterone, nor on libido, nor on strength or muscle mass. The second is factual, and it is the most problematic for this product: trials in men with normal testosterone do not show an increase. A systematic review from 2025 covering ten studies concludes there is no solid evidence. In other words, it's not just that we're not allowed to say it: it's that the data doesn't say it either.
Does tribulus have an effect on erection?
No claim is authorized in this area, and the available data do not allow us to affirm it—trials conducted in healthy men have not shown the hormonal effects on which this reputation is based. Something more important than an opinion on a supplement needs to be added: erectile dysfunction that persists is a reason to consult a doctor, not to self-medicate. It can be the first visible sign of a cardiovascular problem, diabetes, or an adverse drug effect, and these are situations where early diagnosis makes a difference. Buying capsules to avoid talking about it is the only real risk on this page.
How to take tribulus, and in what quantity?
There is no reference dose: France does not set a daily maximum, and the Spanish agency concludes that a safe intake level cannot be determined based on current toxicological data. Any dosage you read elsewhere is a manufacturer's suggestion, not a validated threshold. Stick to the dose on the label, take it with a meal for digestive tolerance, do not combine two formulas containing it, and never increase it on your own initiative. Available studies cover one to three months: beyond that, data is lacking.
What is the best time to take tribulus?
No solid data indicates an optimal time, and the question implies an effect that we cannot announce. Taking it with a meal remains the only useful recommendation, for digestive tolerance.
Should it be taken in cycles with breaks?
Commercial use recommends it. The only defensible justification is not a proven addiction, but the lack of long-term data and the liver and kidney reports mentioned above.
Which tribulus to choose?
The one whose label indicates the plant part, origin, and, ideally, the protodioscin content rather than just the total saponin percentage. Without this information, the price tells you nothing about the content.
Is tribulus dangerous for the liver?
Cases of liver and kidney damage have been reported in the literature, few in number given the product's widespread use, but sufficiently documented to be taken seriously. A European health agency concludes that the data do not allow for establishing a safe intake limit. If you have a history of liver problems, abstain.
Tribulus and prostate, tribulus and hypertension?
These two questions constantly arise and require the same answer: they are medical. A prostatic pathology or treated hypertension warrants seeking your doctor's advice before purchasing, not after.
Tribulus or maca?
Two plants with no botanical or pharmacological relationship. Maca is a traditional Andean food whose main practical issue is digestibility; tribulus is a plant whose use is based on a promise that trials do not confirm. They are often combined in the same formulas, without this combination having been evaluated.
What to take instead?
If the goal is sleep and recovery, ZMA combines zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6—three micronutrients that, unlike any plant, have official claims whose wording is approved by the European Commission. If the interest is in so-called adaptogenic plants, the ashwagandha page details a significantly more extensive regulatory dossier, supported by ANSES opinions.
Where to buy tribulus terrestris, and at what price?
In specialized stores, pharmacies, and online—including this page, with shipping throughout France and Europe, or our Vendargues store ten minutes from Montpellier, with 2-hour pickup. Regarding price, a warning is better than a figure: comparing two tribulus products by the price of the box makes no sense, as the actual content of steroidal saponins varies by a factor of a thousand depending on the origin and plant part. A cheap extract without origin or detailed standardization may contain almost no active ingredients. The pharmacy provides no additional guarantee on this specific point—however, if you are undergoing treatment, the pharmacist can check before purchase.
What can you find in this section?
Our criteria: specified plant part, indicated standardization on the label, identifiable origin. IO.Genix offers a tribulus terrestris standardized to 90% saponins, the most common format on the market—with the reservation explained above about what this figure actually measures.
Tribulus is also found in compound formulas, alongside fenugreek, zinc, or shilajit. In these products, the displayed claims actually pertain to the added vitamins and minerals, never to the plants: this is the only legal way to print an effect statement on a box. We do not reference extracts without standardization or packaging bearing a prohibited claim. Our multivitamins, vitamin D, and omega 3 sections cover basic intakes on more solid grounds.
An opinion in store near Montpellier?
Our Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to return a box and read what matters: plant part, standardization, origin. We also ship throughout France and Europe. We will tell you what a product contains, what regulations allow us to say about it, and—for this one in particular—what studies do not show. Any questions about your testosterone, prostate, or liver belong to your doctor.
Sources: order of June 24, 2014 concerning authorized plants in food supplements, annex I, Tribulus terrestris L.; AESAN, scientific committee report on Tribulus terrestris in food supplements; European Medicines Agency, assessment report on Tribulus terrestris L., herba; systematic review published in Nutrients (2025) on tribulus supplementation in men; ANSES for nutrivigilance and food supplements for athletes; EFSA for the health claims regime.
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What is Tribulus terrestris, and what is protodioscin?
Tribulus terrestris, also known as puncture vine or bindii, is a creeping plant from the Zygophyllaceae family, found in hot, dry regions on all continents—including the south of France, where it is mainly known for its spiky fruits that puncture bicycle tires. It is listed in several traditional pharmacopoeias.
The molecule that has driven its commercial success is protodioscin, a steroidal saponin. The vendors' reasoning follows a chain: protodioscin has a steroidal skeleton, so it resembles hormones, and therefore it increases their production. This chain is not a proven mechanism; it's a structural analogy. All labels that display a saponin content are based on this analogy.
Does tribulus increase testosterone?
No, and it needs to be stated clearly, because this is the promise on which this product has been sold for over twenty years.
Studies conducted in healthy men, with initially normal testosterone levels, show no increase. A systematic review published in 2025 in Nutrients, covering ten clinical studies, concluded there was no solid evidence of testosterone elevation: eight out of ten studies reported no significant change, and their subjects did not have low levels initially. The only two positive studies involved hypogonadic men, showing a modest elevation, with a methodological quality that the authors themselves described as low.
In other words: if your testosterone is normal, the available literature does not suggest it will increase. And if it's not, the answer is not a dietary supplement but a medical check-up. A real drop in testosterone can be diagnosed and treated; it cannot be bought in capsules.
The regulatory reminder is also important: no health claim is authorized in Europe for tribulus. The assessment of claims for plants has been suspended since 2010, and no validated wording exists. A vendor who states that it increases testosterone, libido, strength, or muscle mass is therefore doubly outside the scope: that of the law, and that of the data.
Why are two "90% standardized" tribulus products not equivalent?
This is the most misunderstood technical aspect in this category. A "90% saponin" standardization says nothing about protodioscin: saponins form a broad family, and the announced percentage adds them all together. Two extracts standardized to the same figure can contain vastly different amounts of protodioscin.
The variability is considerable and documented. Analytical work reviewed by European health agencies shows steroidal saponin content ranging from approximately 2.9% to 0.0015% depending on geographical origin and plant part—a ratio of more than a thousand between the extremes. Two chemotypes are described: one rich in protodioscin, found in Southeast Europe and West Asia; the other dominated by other saponins, found in India and Vietnam.
Practical consequence: on a tribulus label, look for the plant part, the geographical origin, and, if indicated, the protodioscin content—not just the total saponin percentage. A product that provides no information on these three points does not allow you to know what you are buying.
What dangers have been reported?
This is the part that sellers omit, and it's far from empty.
Pharmacovigilance literature reports cases of liver and kidney damage in humans. The scientific committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety (AESAN) has summarized them: one case of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity in a young adult after two days of infusions, reversible upon discontinuation; one case of nephrotoxicity secondary to cholestasis with hyperbilirubinemia in a young patient after several months. In animals, toxic effects on the liver and kidneys have been observed after prolonged oral administration.
The conclusion of this committee is unambiguous: the available toxicological data are insufficient to assess the safe use of tribulus plant parts, and a safe intake limit cannot be determined. This is not a carte blanche, nor a prohibition: it is an admission of ignorance, and it should weigh on your decision.
The resulting contraindications:
- Liver or kidney damage, history of hepatitis, treatment at risk for the liver or kidneys: avoid.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: no safety data, and reproductive effects described in animals.
- Children and adolescents: no data, no indication.
- Cardiovascular treatments and hypertension: effects on blood pressure are mentioned in traditional and experimental literature; your doctor's advice is necessary.
- Prostate pathology or urological follow-up: a medical question that we will not answer on their behalf.
- Athletes subject to anti-doping control: tribulus is not a prohibited substance, but cases of cross-contamination of "booster" supplements with undeclared steroids have been reported. Prioritize products tested by an independent program.
- Before surgery: report any intake to the anesthetist.
Any unusual reaction—abnormal fatigue, dark urine, jaundice, flank pain—warrants stopping and consulting without delay. These events can be reported to the ANSES nutrivigilance system.
What is its regulatory status in France?
Tribulus is authorized, with precise conditions that almost no one mentions.
Tribulus terrestris L. is indeed listed in the annex of the order of June 24, 2014 establishing the list of authorized plants in food supplements. Two mentions are attached to it and are worth reading. The authorized plant parts are "leaf, young shoot, fruit"—the root is not included. And the restrictions column includes an explicit requirement: "plant parts must be cooked."
This condition is rarely highlighted on packaging, even though it is the only restriction retained by French law for this plant. It prompts consideration of how a preparation was obtained and reminds us that a root-based product would fall outside the scope of the list.
At the European level, there is no harmonization for plants: each Member State decides, and the same product can be accepted in one country and not in another. The status described here is that in force on the date of writing and may evolve.
What quantity, and for whom?
No maximum daily regulatory dose is set in France for tribulus, and the Spanish assessment concludes that a safe intake level cannot be determined. Therefore, there is no "recommended" dosage that we can provide without misrepresenting the facts. Stick to the dose indicated on the label, do not combine several products containing it, and do not increase the dose on your own initiative.
Regarding duration, available clinical studies typically cover one to three months. This is the tested order of magnitude, not a promise, and data beyond that is scarce—a strong argument for limited-time use rather than continuous use.
And for whom? Tribulus is not a fundamental for a practitioner. This foundation relies on training, sleep, proteins, and creatine monohydrate, the only ergogenic aid whose effect on strength is solidly established. Start there, then move on to our boosters or amino acids; our complete guide places each category in its proper context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tribulus terrestris?
A creeping plant from hot, dry areas, known in French as croix-de-Malte or tribule terrestre, found even in the south of France where its spiny fruits are mainly known for puncturing bicycle tires. As a supplement, extracts standardized in steroidal saponins, including protodioscin, are sold. It has been sold for twenty years on a hormonal promise—a promise that clinical trials do not confirm, as detailed above.
What are the benefits of tribulus?
We will not announce any, for two cumulative reasons. The first is legal: no health claim is authorized in Europe for this plant, neither on testosterone, nor on libido, nor on strength or muscle mass. The second is factual, and it is the most problematic for this product: trials in men with normal testosterone do not show an increase. A systematic review from 2025 covering ten studies concludes there is no solid evidence. In other words, it's not just that we're not allowed to say it: it's that the data doesn't say it either.
Does tribulus have an effect on erection?
No claim is authorized in this area, and the available data do not allow us to affirm it—trials conducted in healthy men have not shown the hormonal effects on which this reputation is based. Something more important than an opinion on a supplement needs to be added: erectile dysfunction that persists is a reason to consult a doctor, not to self-medicate. It can be the first visible sign of a cardiovascular problem, diabetes, or an adverse drug effect, and these are situations where early diagnosis makes a difference. Buying capsules to avoid talking about it is the only real risk on this page.
How to take tribulus, and in what quantity?
There is no reference dose: France does not set a daily maximum, and the Spanish agency concludes that a safe intake level cannot be determined based on current toxicological data. Any dosage you read elsewhere is a manufacturer's suggestion, not a validated threshold. Stick to the dose on the label, take it with a meal for digestive tolerance, do not combine two formulas containing it, and never increase it on your own initiative. Available studies cover one to three months: beyond that, data is lacking.
What is the best time to take tribulus?
No solid data indicates an optimal time, and the question implies an effect that we cannot announce. Taking it with a meal remains the only useful recommendation, for digestive tolerance.
Should it be taken in cycles with breaks?
Commercial use recommends it. The only defensible justification is not a proven addiction, but the lack of long-term data and the liver and kidney reports mentioned above.
Which tribulus to choose?
The one whose label indicates the plant part, origin, and, ideally, the protodioscin content rather than just the total saponin percentage. Without this information, the price tells you nothing about the content.
Is tribulus dangerous for the liver?
Cases of liver and kidney damage have been reported in the literature, few in number given the product's widespread use, but sufficiently documented to be taken seriously. A European health agency concludes that the data do not allow for establishing a safe intake limit. If you have a history of liver problems, abstain.
Tribulus and prostate, tribulus and hypertension?
These two questions constantly arise and require the same answer: they are medical. A prostatic pathology or treated hypertension warrants seeking your doctor's advice before purchasing, not after.
Tribulus or maca?
Two plants with no botanical or pharmacological relationship. Maca is a traditional Andean food whose main practical issue is digestibility; tribulus is a plant whose use is based on a promise that trials do not confirm. They are often combined in the same formulas, without this combination having been evaluated.
What to take instead?
If the goal is sleep and recovery, ZMA combines zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6—three micronutrients that, unlike any plant, have official claims whose wording is approved by the European Commission. If the interest is in so-called adaptogenic plants, the ashwagandha page details a significantly more extensive regulatory dossier, supported by ANSES opinions.
Where to buy tribulus terrestris, and at what price?
In specialized stores, pharmacies, and online—including this page, with shipping throughout France and Europe, or our Vendargues store ten minutes from Montpellier, with 2-hour pickup. Regarding price, a warning is better than a figure: comparing two tribulus products by the price of the box makes no sense, as the actual content of steroidal saponins varies by a factor of a thousand depending on the origin and plant part. A cheap extract without origin or detailed standardization may contain almost no active ingredients. The pharmacy provides no additional guarantee on this specific point—however, if you are undergoing treatment, the pharmacist can check before purchase.
What can you find in this section?
Our criteria: specified plant part, indicated standardization on the label, identifiable origin. IO.Genix offers a tribulus terrestris standardized to 90% saponins, the most common format on the market—with the reservation explained above about what this figure actually measures.
Tribulus is also found in compound formulas, alongside fenugreek, zinc, or shilajit. In these products, the displayed claims actually pertain to the added vitamins and minerals, never to the plants: this is the only legal way to print an effect statement on a box. We do not reference extracts without standardization or packaging bearing a prohibited claim. Our multivitamins, vitamin D, and omega 3 sections cover basic intakes on more solid grounds.
An opinion in store near Montpellier?
Our Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to return a box and read what matters: plant part, standardization, origin. We also ship throughout France and Europe. We will tell you what a product contains, what regulations allow us to say about it, and—for this one in particular—what studies do not show. Any questions about your testosterone, prostate, or liver belong to your doctor.
Sources: order of June 24, 2014 concerning authorized plants in food supplements, annex I, Tribulus terrestris L.; AESAN, scientific committee report on Tribulus terrestris in food supplements; European Medicines Agency, assessment report on Tribulus terrestris L., herba; systematic review published in Nutrients (2025) on tribulus supplementation in men; ANSES for nutrivigilance and food supplements for athletes; EFSA for the health claims regime.
Sources
- ANSES — Les compléments alimentaires
- Règlement UE n° 432/2012 — allégations de santé autorisées
- Règlement CE n° 1924/2006 — allégations nutritionnelles et de santé
À intégrer dans une alimentation variée et équilibrée et un mode de vie sain.
Questions fréquentes — Tribulus Terrestris
Le tribulus terrestris, c'est quoi ?
Une plante rampante des zones chaudes et sèches, appelée en français croix-de-Malte ou tribule terrestre, présente jusque dans le sud de la France où ses fruits épineux sont surtout connus pour crever les pneus de vélo. En complément, on en vend des extraits titrés en saponines stéroïdiennes, dont la protodioscine. C'est une plante de la tradition, utilisée depuis longtemps dans plusieurs pharmacopées.
Que peut-on dire du tribulus ?
Ce que la réglementation permet de dire, et rien de plus : aucune allégation de santé n'est autorisée en Europe pour cette plante, l'évaluation des allégations végétales étant suspendue depuis 2010. Nous décrivons donc la plante, sa molécule caractéristique, le titrage, l'origine et le cadre français — soit tout ce qui permet de choisir une boîte en connaissance de cause.
Que faire en cas de trouble de l'érection ?
Consulter. Des troubles de l'érection qui s'installent sont un motif de consultation : ils peuvent être le premier signe visible d'un problème cardiovasculaire, d'un diabète ou d'un effet indésirable de traitement, et ce sont des situations où un diagnostic précoce change les choses. Aucune allégation n'est par ailleurs autorisée sur ce terrain pour un complément alimentaire.
Comment prendre le tribulus, et à quelle quantité ?
Il n'existe aucune dose journalière maximale réglementaire fixée en France, et l'agence espagnole conclut qu'un niveau d'apport sûr ne peut pas être déterminé en l'état des données toxicologiques. Tenez-vous donc à la dose de l'étiquette, prenez-la au cours d'un repas pour la tolérance digestive, ne cumulez pas deux formules en contenant, et n'augmentez pas de votre propre initiative. Les études disponibles couvrent un à trois mois.
Quel est le meilleur moment pour prendre du tribulus ?
La prise au cours d'un repas est la recommandation la plus utile, pour la tolérance digestive. Aucune donnée ne désigne un moment de la journée comme supérieur à un autre.
Faut-il faire une cure avec des pauses ?
L'usage courant le préconise, et c'est cohérent avec le recul limité sur les prises prolongées : une cure d'un à trois mois, puis une pause, est le format le plus répandu.
Quel tribulus choisir ?
Celui dont l'étiquette indique la partie de plante, l'origine et, idéalement, la teneur en protodioscine plutôt que le seul pourcentage de saponines. Ce sont les trois lignes qui distinguent réellement deux extraits.
Le tribulus et le foie : que sait-on ?
Des cas d'atteinte hépatique et rénale ont été rapportés dans la littérature, en petit nombre au regard de la diffusion du produit, mais suffisamment documentés pour être pris au sérieux. Une agence sanitaire européenne conclut que les données ne permettent pas d'établir une limite d'apport sûre. En cas d'antécédent hépatique, abstenez-vous.
Tribulus et prostate, tribulus et hypertension ?
Ces deux questions reviennent constamment et appellent la même réponse : elles sont médicales. Une pathologie prostatique ou une hypertension traitée justifient de demander l'avis de votre médecin avant l'achat.
Tribulus ou maca ?
Deux plantes sans rapport botanique. La maca est un aliment andin traditionnel, dont l'enjeu pratique principal est la digestibilité ; le tribulus est un extrait titré en saponines stéroïdiennes. Elles sont souvent associées dans les mêmes formules.
Quels produits se situent dans le même univers ?
Pour le sommeil et la récupération, le ZMA associe zinc, magnésium et vitamine B6 — trois micronutriments qui disposent, eux, d'allégations officielles au libellé arrêté par la Commission européenne. Sur les plantes dites adaptogènes, la page ashwagandha détaille un dossier réglementaire plus fourni, avis de l'ANSES à l'appui.
Où acheter du tribulus terrestris ?
Sur cette page, avec expédition partout en France et en Europe, ou dans notre boutique de Vendargues à dix minutes de Montpellier, avec retrait sous 2 heures. Un conseil de lecture avant d'acheter : deux tribulus ne se comparent pas sur le format de la boîte, puisque la teneur réelle en saponines stéroïdiennes varie fortement selon l'origine et la partie de plante. Cherchez l'origine, la partie de plante et le titrage.
