Gokshur (Tribulus terestris Linn.) is a member of Zygophyllaceae family. English name of this drug is cow hage. It is a small, prostrate, hirsute or silky hairy herb. Leaves – stipulate, opposite,usually unequal, abruptly pinnate; leaflets 4-7 pairs, oblong, mucronate. Flowers – solitary,axillary or leaf-opposed, yellow or white. Fruits – globose, hairy, 5-angled, spinous with 2 long and 2 short spines on each cocci. Seeds – obliquely pendulous. (Flowers and fruits during April-August.)   Gokshuraka, Trikanta, Kantasadanga, Bahukantaka, Gokantaka, Kantaphala, Palamkasa, Ksudraksura, Bhaksataka Chanadruma, Sthalasrngtaka, Ksura, Vanasrngataka, Iksugandha, Svadukanta are its various synonyms found in ayurvedic texts. Rasa – Madhura, Gun – Guru, Snigdha, Virya – Sheeta, Vipaka – Madhura are properties of this drug. Drug is Mutral, Vata-pittahara and used as Vrishya and Rasayana. It used in various diseases like Mutrakriksh, Ashamari, Prameha, Hridroga, Amavata. Arsha, Shwas – kasa, Klaibya.

Keyword: Gokshur, Zygophyllaceae, Cow hage.

1. Charaka Samhita : Agnivesh, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala,Vidyotini Hindi commentry by Pt. Kashi Nath Shastri and Gorakh Nath Chaturvedi, 13th Edition, 1986, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.
2. Sushruta Samhita : Hindi commentary by Kaviraj Ambika Dutt Shastri, 5th Edition, 1982, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series, Varanasi.

Dr Anant Saznam

Lecturer, Dravyguna Deptt. SRTAC and H Karjara, Gaya, Bihar