Also known as Puncture Vine and Caltrop Fruit, it refers to the ripe fruit of Tribulus Terrestris L., which is annual or perennial weed and grows in Africa, northern Australia, southern Europe, and parts of Asia. So hardy it is that it survives the harsh environment like deserts. In China, it can be found in most areas, especially the north of the Yangtze River.

Normally this plant is not more than 1 meter in height, with small and dull flowers. 5 small fruits cluster into a radial pentagon, 0.6 to 1cm in diameter. Some fruits are separated into 1-seeded mericarps, green white or grey in color, upheaval cobwebbing and spines on back, and one symmetrical pair of long and short spines respectively. And it is the very reason that also known as Ci Ji Li (Spines Puncture Vine) in China. The texture is hard and hand-stabbing, white or yellowish-white kernel seen in the transverse section. Quality one is evengranular, solid, plump, and grey in color.

NATURAL HERB FOR ENERGY
It contains essential oil, tribulus, fatty oil, nitrate, resin, flavonoids compounds, and tiny alkaloid, etc. Thanks for the active ingredients of steroidal saponins, which makes it one of amazing curative herbs clinically. Modern research has found that its functions cover lowering blood pressure, diuresis, cardiotonic, enhancing immune function, growing strong, delaying aging, decreasing blood sugar, fighting allergy, and inhibiting bacteria growth, etc.

Puncture vine fruit

From Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, it is bitter, acrid, and slightly warm in nature and covers meridians of liver and lung. Main functions are to dispel wind and sooth the liver, promote Qi and eliminate stasis, and expel wind and improve eyesight. Main uses and indications are sore, itch, and ulcer caused by wind-heat, Vitiligo, porrigo in children, slight corneal opacity, red watery eyes, Headache and dizziness due to rising liver yang, clog and pain in chest and flanks due to liver qi stagnation, and shortage of milk after childbirth due to Qi depression and blood stasis. Regular dosage is 5 to 10 grams, in decoction. But please note that it varies from person to person depending on the individual conditions.

RELATED CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS 
For treating headache and dizziness due to rising liver yang, Bai Ji Li prefers to work with Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower), Man Jing Zi (Vitex Fruit Seed), Gou Teng (Gambir Vine Stems and Thorns), Lu Dou Yi (self-sowing bean garment), and Ku ding cha (Bitter Spike Tea), etc.;

For treatment of red watery eyes, suitable companions are Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower), Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit), Jue Ming Zi (Cao Jue Ming, Foetid Cassia Seeds), Qing Xiang Zi (Celosia Seeds), etc.;

In terms of herbal remedies for measles and itchy skin, it is better to use with Xiang Fu (Nut Grass Rhizome), Mu Xiang (Costus Root), Yu Jin (Tumeric Tuber), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel), and Ju Pi (Tangerine Peel), etc.;