- Shilajit (Asphaltum punjabinum or Mumijo) is a brownish‑black powder primarily sourced from the Himalayas.
- It is formed through the decomposition of native flora, which contributes to its significant concentration of substances that positively impact overall health and well‑being.
- Shilajit has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but in recent years, it has also gained popularity in Western societies.
Today, there is a growing interest in natural ways to promote health and well‑being, and more and more people are turning to elements of Eastern medicine. One of these is shilajit, a brown‑black resin known for its numerous potential benefits. In this article, we will explore shilajit in more detail, including its history, processing, and the much‑touted benefits it offers for the human body and mind.
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a natural resinous substance found in mountains, particularly in the Himalayas, Altai, Caucasus, and other mountainous regions of Asia. This powder is formed over thousands of years by the decomposition of organic materials such as plants, mosses and microorganisms under the influence of mountain pressure and heat.
Shilajit has a rich historical context, with a long tradition in traditional healing systems, especially in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as "lado treatment" or "karmic resin" and is considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and improves overall vitality and immunity. In Tibet, shilajit is known as "brag‑shun" and has a long history of being used to promote energy, vitality, and general health (for example, heart and vascular function). However, its importance is also recognised in other Asian cultures, such as those in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, where it has been used to treat various health conditions and to promote overall vitality.
Today, shilajit remains a popular natural product and is being studied by modern science for its potential health benefits. It is available on the market in the form of powder, capsules or extracts.
- Read more: Ashwagandha: What It Is, Effects and Dosage
Origin and sourcing
As we mentioned above, shilajit originates from a natural process that takes hundreds to thousands of years and is formed by the decomposition of organic materials. This process is accelerated by mountain pressure, heat, and other geological factors. However, each deposit can produce shilajit with different properties and different elemental compositions. This variability is one of the biggest challenges in standardising this resin, making it important to know the origin of a particular product when selecting it. For example, Himalayan shilajit is known for its high fulvic acid content, whereas Caucasian shilajit contains higher levels of certain minerals such as manganese, iron, magnesium, and calcium (the potential benefits of Himalayan shilajit are discussed below).
10 potential health benefits of shilajit
- Improving cognitive function: Compounds found in shilajit may be beneficial for brain function. A study in the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease noted that shilajit has traditionally been used to promote longevity and slow ageing. These compounds may help control cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. However, more research and clinical trials are still needed to confirm these effects.
- Boosting testosterone levels: in a clinical trial involving male volunteers aged 45 to 55, half of the participants were given a placebo, while the other half received a dose of 250 milligrams of purified shilajit. After 90 days, the group taking shilajit was found to have significantly higher testosterone levels compared to the placebo group.
- Help protect against viral diseases: The wide range of minerals and compounds found in shilajit may also help combat viruses. One research study noted that in isolated environments, shilajit can also tackle some herpes viruses. Still, more studies conducted with living organisms are needed to support these claims.
- Reducing the symptoms of CFS: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long‑term condition that causes weakness and extreme fatigue. Researchers believe that taking shilajit can effectively reduce these symptoms and increase energy levels. In a 2012 study, researchers gave lab rats shilajit for 21 days and then induced CFS by making them swim for 15 minutes daily for 21 consecutive days. The results suggested that naturally boosting the body's mitochondrial function with shilajit supplements may help improve energy levels.
- Helping with weight management: A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food noted that overweight individuals who took an oral supplement of purified shilajit responded better to exercise than those who did not. The researchers observed that shilajit seemed to activate genes that help muscles adapt more quickly to new training.
- Preventing ageing: Shilajit is rich in fulvic acid, a powerful antioxidant, which may offer protection against free radicals and, therefore, cell damage. As a result, regular use of shilajit may contribute to a slower ageing process and better overall health.
- Alleviation of symptoms of altitude sickness: Altitude sickness is usually caused by low atmospheric pressure, lower temperatures, or high wind speeds. Scientists suggest that shilajit may help mitigate problems associated with high altitudes. Shilajit contains fulvic acid and more than 84 minerals, offering numerous health benefits. It can work as an antioxidant to improve immunity and memory, which may help counteract many of the symptoms associated with higher altitudes.
- Alleviating the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia: Iron deficiency anaemia can be caused by a diet low in iron, blood loss, or an inability to absorb iron. Shilajit may gradually increase iron levels — one study on rats revealed that after administering 500 mg of shilajit for 11 days, the rats had significantly higher levels of haemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells compared to rats in other groups.
- Help treat male infertility: In one study, a group of 60 infertile men took shilajit twice daily for 90 days after meals. At the end of this period, more than 60% of the participants showed an increase in total sperm count, and more than 12% showed an increase in sperm motility.
- Improving cardiovascular function: Researchers tested the effects of shilajit on cardiovascular performance in laboratory rats. After pretreatment with shilajit, some rats were injected with isoproterenol to induce heart damage. The study found that these rats had fewer heart lesions compared to those that were not treated with shilajit.
Possible risks and side effects
You should definitely check with your doctor about using shilajit, as this supplement may cause intolerance symptoms such as rash, increased heart rate, or dizziness. Additionally, consider potential contraindications with various medications and other supplements, as shilajit contains a high concentration of minerals that can affect their effectiveness. Importantly, you should avoid supplementing with shilajit if you have sickle cell anaemia, hemochromatosis (excess iron in the blood), or thalassemia.
While shilajit is generally considered safe, you should not consume it in its unprocessed form, as it could contain heavy metal ions, free radicals, moulds, and other contaminants that can cause nausea. Therefore, whether you shop online or in brick‑and‑mortar stores, make sure the shilajit you purchase is produced and processed to the highest standards.
Himalayan Shilajit with 20% Fulvic Acid
Bottom line
Shilajit, a natural resin from the mountains of Asia, offers a range of potential benefits with a long history in traditional medicine, including improving cognitive function, increasing testosterone levels, and boosting immunity. Still, consult your doctor or other professional before supplementing, especially if you regularly take certain medications (such as those for high blood pressure) or have a history of sensitivity to dietary supplements.
