Shilajit
Sanskrit: Shilajatu
A sticky, tar-like exudate that seeps from rocks in the Himalaya and other high mountain ranges, formed over very long periods from compressed plant material. Ayurveda uses it only after purification (shodhana), and the difference between purified shilajit and raw scraped material is the single most important thing to understand about it. It is among the most adulterated and most over-marketed products in the Indian supplement market.
Also known as
Mineral Pitch
- hindi:
- Shilajit
- nepali:
- Silajit
Key components
- Purified mineral-humic exudate (shilajatu)
- Fulvic and humic acid fraction as the commonly standardised component
Traditional overview
- Used classically as a rasayana, within rejuvenation regimens, after purification
- Dissolved traditionally in warm milk or water rather than eaten as a solid
- Included in classical compound formulations rather than used alone
- Traditionally taken in very small quantities over defined periods, not indefinitely
Common traditional forms
- purified resin dissolved in warm milk or water
- standardised capsules and tablets
- classical compound formulations
Wellness tags
- rejuvenation tradition
- vitality
Body focus
- whole body
Concerns
- practitioner-guided rejuvenation
What to know before use
Genuine shilajit dissolves in warm water leaving little grit and has a strong bitter mineral taste. Because contamination is the main risk, a cheap product is a bad bargain. Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, in children, and if you have gout, high uric acid, haemochromatosis or a kidney condition, and check with your doctor if you take any regular medicine.
Important cautions
Practitioner guidance required. Raw or unpurified shilajit must never be used. Independent product testing and contamination control matter, as raw material can carry heavy metals and fungal contamination. No performance or testosterone claims are made here.
Who should avoid it
- Anyone using raw or untested material
- People with haemochromatosis or iron overload
- People with gout or high uric acid
- People with kidney disease or kidney stones
- People with diabetes, without medical supervision
Medicine interactions
- Caution with iron supplements
- Caution with diabetes, blood-pressure and gout medicines
PregnancyAvoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
ChildrenNot for children.
Quality and buying guidance
Buy only purified, processed shilajit from a licensed manufacturer, ideally with batch-wise laboratory testing for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury, and for microbial contamination. Look for a stated fulvic acid content on standardised products and a clear country and region of origin. Never use raw scraped rock exudate, unlabelled sachets bought while travelling, or powder sold loose, and treat testosterone, stamina and fertility claims as marketing rather than evidence.
Evidence note
This is used mainly within qualified practitioner practice and classical formulations. Self-directed use is not appropriate, and evidence outside traditional texts is limited.
Related ingredients
Traditional wellness information only — not medical advice. Start small, and check with a qualified practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing, treating a child, or managing a medical condition.