Himalayan Shilajit: Ancient Medicine Meets Modern Science

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a remarkable natural substance that emerges from the rocky crevices of high mountain ranges, particularly the Himalayas. Its Sanskrit name means "conqueror of mountains" or "destroyer of weakness," reflecting its revered status in traditional medicine systems. This blackish-brown, tar-like resin has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic, Tibetan, and Chinese medicine as a powerful rejuvenator and health tonic.

Himalayan Shilajit seeps out from rock fissures during the warmer months

Formation and Composition

Shilajit forms over centuries through the gradual decomposition and humification of plant materials and microbial matter subjected to extreme pressure and temperature conditions in mountainous regions. The process involves:

1. Plant decomposition: Latex and resin-bearing plants such as Euphorbia royleana and Trifolium repens, along with mosses and other vegetation, undergo decomposition in rock layers.

2. Microbial transformation: Microorganisms break down organic matter, transforming it into bioactive compounds over hundreds to thousands of years.

3. Mineral enrichment: As organic matter rests between rock layers, it gradually absorbs minerals from surrounding rocks through natural leaching processes.

4. Natural exudation: During warm summer months, the substance softens and seeps out from rock fissures, where it can be harvested.

Shilajit is composed of 60-80% humic substances, including fulvic acid and humic acid, along with over 85 minerals in ionic form, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, amino acids, fatty acids, and various bioactive compounds. The specific composition varies depending on the geographical region and the plant species present during formation.

Collection and Harvesting

Harvesting shilajit is a demanding and skilled process that requires extensive knowledge of mountainous terrain and timing.

Traditional Collection Methods

Local communities have harvested shilajit for generations from steep, treacherous mountain slopes at altitudes between 10,000 to 16,000 feet. The process involves:

• Seasonal timing: Shilajit is harvested twice a year in spring and autumn when temperatures are optimal and fresh deposits are naturally exposed. If not collected before winter, it becomes buried under snow, making extraction impossible.

• Manual extraction: Collectors carefully scrape the resin by hand from sheltered fissures using wooden tools and cloth to avoid contamination.

• Safety precautions: Harvesters navigate dangerous cliff faces with basic tools and ropes, requiring significant expertise and courage.

Purification Process

Raw shilajit contains impurities that must be removed before consumption. The traditional purification process involves four key steps: extraction, filtration, purification, and dehydration.

Shodhana is the traditional Ayurvedic purification method:

• Dissolving raw shilajit in water or herbal decoctions

• Multiple rounds of filtration through fine cloth or sieves to remove rock fragments and debris

• Boiling to concentrate beneficial compounds and remove contaminants

• Sun-drying or controlled heat to remove moisture, producing a solid resin or powder

Modern production facilities add advanced filtration techniques and laboratory testing to ensure safety and remove heavy metals.

Use in Ayurvedic Medicine

In Ayurveda, shilajit holds the highest position among herbal medicines and is classified as a rasayana, a rejuvenator that promotes longevity and prevents disease.

Traditional Ayurvedic Applications

Shilajit is referred to as 'rasayana' in Ayurveda literature, meaning rejuvenator, because it prevents ailments and enhances quality of life. The word 'dhatu' (body tissue) is used as a synonym for shilajit since it improves the quality of 'rasa' (plasma) and strengthens the health of all body tissues.

Classical Ayurvedic uses include:

According to traditional Indian knowledge, shilajit acts as a rejuvenating and energizing tonic, laxative, expectorant, immunomodulator, and diuretic when taken internally. It is antibilious and lithotriptic (disintegrates urinary stones). Externally, it acts as an antiseptic, analgesic, deobstruent, and germicide.

Charaka, in the oldest Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, stated that shilajit can be used in several diseases by altering the vehicle and adjuvant in combination with several drugs. Traditionally, it has been prescribed for:

• Diabetes mellitus (madhumeha)

• Bone fractures (prescribed with Commiphora wightii)

• Urinary disorders

• Sexual dysfunction and infertility

• General weakness and fatigue

• Cognitive enhancement

The Rasayana Concept

There are two important characteristics of a rasayana compound in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine: increasing physical strength and promoting human health. Shilajit embodies these principles by:

• Balancing the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)

• Acting as a yoga vahi (joining carrier) that enhances absorption and effectiveness of other herbs

• Supporting natural detoxification while simultaneously building and nourishing tissues

Modern Applications and Scientific Validation

Contemporary research has begun validating many traditional uses of shilajit, revealing promising applications for modern health concerns.

Energy and Athletic Performance

One of shilajit's most well-documented benefits is its ability to enhance cellular energy production.

Mitochondrial Function: Shilajit supplementation significantly improved post-exercise ATP concentration in muscle. In mice subjected to forced swimming tests, those receiving shilajit had nearly double the ATP levels compared to unsupplemented animals. The adenylate energy charge, an index of cellular energy status, was significantly greater in shilajit-supplemented groups.

Mechanism of Action: Researchers hypothesized that augmented mitochondrial function, improved energy status, and upregulated ATP synthesis resulted from shilajit's potent electron transfer capacity and antioxidant activity. The dibenzo-alpha-pyrones in shilajit work synergistically with CoQ10 to enhance energy production.

Exercise Performance: A study examining 8 weeks of shilajit supplementation at 500 mg daily in recreationally-active men found improved resistance to fatigue and better retention of maximal muscular strength following fatiguing protocols.

Additionally, serum hydroxyproline levels decreased, indicating improved connective tissue health.

Testosterone and Male Hormonal Health

Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated shilajit's effects on male hormones.

Clinical Evidence: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated purified shilajit in healthy volunteers aged 45-55 years at 250 mg twice daily for 90 consecutive days. Treatment significantly increased total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared with placebo, while gonadotropic hormones (LH and FSH) levels were well maintained.

Another study reported that 500 mg daily of shilajit for 90 days increased baseline testosterone by 20.45%, free testosterone by 19.14%, and dehydroepiandrosterone by 31.35% in healthy adult men.

Fertility and Sperm Quality: In oligospermic patients (low sperm count), 200 mg of shilajit twice daily for 90 days showed significant improvements: spermia increased by 37.6%, total sperm count by 61.4%, motility by 12.4-17.4%, and normal sperm count by 18.9%. Serum testosterone increased by 23.5% and FSH by 9.4%. Importantly, oxidative stress markers in semen decreased, and liver and kidney function remained normal, indicating safety.

Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection

Shilajit shows particular promise for brain health and age-related cognitive decline.

Alzheimer's Disease Research: Fulvic acid, the main active principle in shilajit, blocks tau self-aggregation, opening an avenue toward Alzheimer's therapy. Tau protein accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and preventing this aggregation may slow or prevent disease progression.

Research on Andean shilajit fractions found that specific combinations almost completely inhibited tau protein aggregation and increased the number and length of neuronal processes. A clinical pilot study in 16 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease showed a clear tendency toward less cognitive deterioration compared to the placebo group after 24 weeks.

Mechanisms:

• Preventing tau protein self-aggregation and promoting disassembly of tau fibrils

• Increasing acetylcholine production by inhibiting enzymes that break it down

• Providing neuroprotective effects through antioxidant activity

• Supporting nerve growth factor production for healthy neural pathways

Anti-Aging Properties

Shilajit exhibits potent antioxidant effects, protecting cells from oxidative stress and supporting a healthy immune system. The fulvic acid component neutralizes free radicals that contribute to aging and cellular damage.

Cellular Benefits:

• Reducing oxidative stress in mitochondria

• Supporting cellular repair and regeneration

• Enhancing collagen production

• Improving nutrient absorption and bioavailability

Additional Health Applications

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Shilajit attenuated behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in animal studies. This suggests potential benefits for people experiencing persistent fatigue.

Inflammation and Immune Function: An herbal formulation containing shilajit and other Ayurvedic rasayanas was tested for stress reduction and showed results superior to ginseng in promoting physical and mental health and improving defense mechanisms.

Bone and Joint Health: The mineral-rich composition of shilajit, particularly its calcium content and influence on calcium metabolism, may support bone density and joint function. Its anti-inflammatory properties may benefit those with arthritis.

Scientific Studies Summary

Key Clinical Trials

1. Testosterone Study (Pandit et al., 2016)

• Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled

• Participants: 96 healthy men aged 45-55

• Dose: 250 mg purified shilajit twice daily

• Duration: 90 days

• Results: Significant increases in total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEAS with maintained gonadotropic hormone levels

2. Fertility Study (Biswas et al., 2010)

• Design: Clinical trial in oligospermic patients

• Participants: 28 men with sperm count <20 million/mL

• Dose: 100 mg processed shilajit twice daily

• Duration: 90 days

• Results: 61.4% increase in sperm count, 37.6% improvement in spermia, reduced oxidative stress, 23.5% increase in testosterone

3. Muscle Strength Study (Das et al., 2019)

• Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled

• Participants: 63 recreationally-active men

• Dose: 500 mg shilajit daily (high dose group)

• Duration: 8 weeks

• Results: Improved retention of maximal muscular strength after fatiguing exercise, decreased serum hydroxyproline (indicating better connective tissue health)

4. Mitochondrial Function Study (Bhattacharyya et al., 2009)

• Design: Animal study with forced swimming test

• Dose: 30 mg/kg body weight for 4 days

• Results: Post-exercise ATP concentration nearly doubled compared to control; significantly improved adenylate energy charge

5. Alzheimer's Pilot Study (Carrasco-Gallardo et al., 2012)

• Design: Placebo-controlled pilot study

• Participants: 16 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease

• Formulation: Andean shilajit with vitamin B complex

• Duration: 24 weeks

• Results: Tendency toward less cognitive deterioration compared to placebo; controlled increase in tau protein markers in blood

How to Recognize Authentic Shilajit

With the rising popularity of shilajit, counterfeit products have flooded the market. Studies suggest that only a small percentage of shilajit products sold are genuinely authentic. Learning to identify real shilajit is crucial to ensure you receive the therapeutic benefits and avoid potentially harmful adulterants.

Characteristics of Authentic Shilajit

Form and Appearance: Genuine shilajit resin appears as a smooth, semi-solid paste that is predominantly black/dark brown with a glossy, tar-like texture. It should feel sticky to the touch and melt quickly when warmed between your fingers.

Smell and Taste: Authentic shilajit has a strong earthy aroma, often described as resembling bitumen or tar with mineral undertones. The taste is distinctly bitter and slightly smoky due to its high mineral content. If a product is odorless, sweet, or artificially flavored, it is likely not pure shilajit.

Temperature Sensitivity: Shilajit is highly responsive to temperature changes, it becomes sticky and soft in warm conditions and hardens like stone when cold. This natural property is a hallmark of genuine shilajit. The resin should become brittle enough to shatter when frozen and pliable when warmed.

At-Home Purity Tests

Several simple tests can help verify shilajit authenticity in your own home:

1. Solubility Test (Water Test) This is one of the most reliable and easiest tests to perform.

• Take a small amount of shilajit (pea-sized portion)

• Dissolve it in warm water, pure shilajit will dissolve completely, leaving no residue or particles behind and forming a smooth, syrup-like consistency

• The water should turn dark brown or reddish-black

• Fake or adulterated shilajit may leave sandy residue, oily film, or chalky substances, indicating the presence of fillers

  
  

2. Pliability Test (Temperature Test)

• Place shilajit in your palm and hold it for a few minutes, genuine shilajit will become gooey and sticky from body heat

• Pure shilajit will always hold its form and not separate into clumps

• If it remains uniformly solid or excessively liquid regardless of temperature, it may not be authentic

  
  

Red Flags to Avoid

Price Considerations: Authentic, high-grade Himalayan shilajit is rare and expensive to harvest. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Genuine purified shilajit typically costs significantly more than suspect products.

Sourcing Information:

• Verify that the product specifies its geographic origin (Himalayas, Altai, Caucasus mountains)

  
  

Certifications and Testing:

• Demand third-party laboratory testing results

• Verify testing for heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium)

• Look for fulvic acid content verification (should be 30-40% or higher in quality products)

  
  

Safety Considerations

Studies have found that raw shilajit can contain hazardous heavy metals, including lead. Therefore, purification is essential. Clinical studies at appropriate doses showed unaltered hepatic and renal profiles in patients, indicating safety.

Important considerations:

• Only use purified, standardized shilajit from reputable sources

• Look for third-party testing for heavy metals and contaminants

• Start with lower doses and gradually increase

• Consult healthcare providers before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications

• Typical safe dosage ranges from 250-1000 mg daily

  
  

Conclusion

Shilajit represents a fascinating convergence of ancient wisdom and modern science. Formed over millennia in the world's highest mountain ranges, this unique substance contains a complex array of bioactive compounds that support multiple aspects of human health. From enhancing energy production at the cellular level to supporting male fertility, from potential neuroprotective effects to general rejuvenation, shilajit demonstrates remarkable versatility.

While traditional Ayurvedic medicine has valued shilajit for thousands of years, contemporary research is beginning to validate many of these historical uses through rigorous scientific investigation. Studies demonstrate measurable benefits for testosterone levels, sperm quality, energy metabolism, and cognitive function. The substance's primary components, fulvic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, and over 85 minerals, work synergistically to produce these wide-ranging effects.

However, quality and purity are paramount. Raw shilajit can contain contaminants, making proper purification and standardization essential. Consumers should seek purified, tested products from reputable suppliers and consult healthcare providers before beginning supplementation.

As research continues to unfold, shilajit stands as a compelling example of how traditional medicine can inform and inspire modern therapeutic approaches, offering a bridge between ancient healing wisdom and contemporary health science.

For high quality Shilajit products go to our store, and you will find it available in resin, powder or tincture format, for more information on Shilajit go to our website: www.greenasnature.com.au/shilajit

References

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3. Chinese Medicine Journal. (2020). Mechanisms of generation and exudation of Tibetan medicine Shilajit (Zhaxun). Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13020-020-00343-9

4. Kamgar, E., & Kaykhaii, M. (2023). A Comprehensive Review on Shilajit: What We Know about Its Chemical Composition. Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 55(3), 461-473. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38133965/

5. Carrasco-Gallardo, C., Guzmán, L., & Maccioni, R.B. (2012). Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity. International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3296184/

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7. Pandit, S., et al. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48(5), 570-575. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/

8. Das, A., et al. (2019). The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6364418/

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10. Biswas, T.K., et al. (2010). Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia, 42(1), 48-56. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20078516/

11. Bhattacharya, S., et al. (2012). Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874112003893

12. Morales, I., et al. (2023). Scaling the Andean Shilajit: A Novel Neuroprotective Agent for Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceuticals, 16(7), 960. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37513872/

13. Carrasco-Gallardo, C., et al. (2012). Can nutraceuticals prevent Alzheimer's disease? Potential therapeutic role of a formulation containing shilajit and complex B vitamins. Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23131823/

14. Mishra, R.K., et al. (2018). Profertility effects of Shilajit on cadmium‐induced infertility in male mice. Andrologia. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.13064

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