Author(s): Khan Zeeshan Amanullah, Fahmeeda Zeenat, Wasim Ahmad, Shaihba Firoz and Ansari Naeela

Abstract: Tribulus terrestris Linn is one of the most important medicinal plants traditionally used for various health purposes. The fruit, leaves, stem and root of the plant are therapeutically used. The fruits are greenish to grey in color with faintly aromatic odour and slightly acidic taste. While the roots are light brown in color with aromatic odour and sweetish astringent taste. The dried fully ripe fruit of this plant is known as Khar-e-Khasak Khurd in Unani System of medicine. It acts as diuretic and useful in dysuria and gonorrohea. Traditionally it has been used for boosting hormone production in men and women. The herb is found in Mediterranean, subtropical and desert climate regions around the world. The plant is common in sandy soil throughout India. The plant grows more or less throughout the years. The plant is described in detail in ethnobotanical and scientific literature and various actions have been reported to possess by this. A number of studies have also been carried out on Tribulus terrestris in recent years showing that it possesses diverse biological and pharmacological activities. It has been used in Unani Medicine (Tibb-e-Unani) and other traditional system of medicine from time immemorial. Keeping in view the high medicinal importance of the drug in Unani Medicine, this review provides available information on its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties.