The Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit

Welcome to the Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit. Check the content section below to jump to a section you are interested in.

Keeping the body in perfect shape can be a difficult job sometimes. This is most especially true as temptations including sinful food, cigarettes, and alcohol have always been there. Furthermore, it is harder to manage things when you know to yourself that part of what you are dealing with is stress.

If you are looking for a safe yet effective way to improve your health in general, then shilajit could just be what you need. It is a complete package filled with minerals, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. Using this all-natural substance can benefit you in many ways as it has anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, and anti-fungal properties.

Shilajit is a thick and sticky substance with the same characteristics as that of tar. It is usually dark brown, but can also come in white and lighter shades of brown. Also referred to as salajeet, moomiyo, and mumijo, shilajit is usually found in the Himalayan Mountains, including Tibet Mountains and Caucasus Mountains.

It is said to contain a large number of minerals and nutrients which are essential for good overall health. It is also a good source of antioxidants and known as an aphrodisiac, a substance helpful in increasing men’s appetite for sex. In fact, it was named the “Indian [Insert Popular ED Drug that we’re not allowed to name here]”.

History of Shilajit

Shilajeet was first used in Ayurveda, which is the traditional system of medication in India. According to the Charaka Samhita, an old Ayurvedic text, all curable diseases can be treated using Shilajit provided it is taken at the right time, proper dose, and in combination with appropriate substances.

Holding a chunk of raw, unprocessed shilajit in my hand.

Shilajit comes in different color ranges, although normally, they come in brown to black. The color of shilajit depends on its content. According to Ayurvedic medicine, those that come in darker colors are the most effective. People also describe shilajit as “rock sweat” and sometimes “mineral oil” because it comes out from cracks in large rocks as a result of the heat of the sun. However, until today, there is no reliable evidence of the biological or even geological origin of shilajit.

Mythology of Shilajit

Shilajit had a role in the old Hindu literature. Before King Chandra Varma, the ruler of northern India, achieved stability and peace in his land, he had to spend many years of protecting and defending it. He was already in his 60’s when he finally had time to enjoy all the natural pleasures life has to offer, including youthfulness. He was deeply saddened by the fact that despite his power and wealth, he could no longer bring back what was long gone.

This made King Chandra Varma go to Himalayan Mountains for penance. He solemnly prayed to the highest of all Hindu Gods and creator of Yoga, Lord Shiva. The god was pleased, and so he gave King Chandra Shilajit, which was said to have originated at that time from the body of the god himself. King Chandra Varma regained his youth after taking shilajit, and he was then believed to have had become an immortal. Emperors Xerxes and Darius of Persia, as well as Emperor Genghis Khan of Mongol, are believed to have used shilajit and even shared it with their troops during that time.

How is Shilajit Gathered?

Mumijo is often found in the mountains of the Himalayas – between cracks of large rocks. It occurs naturally after an organic matter dies and mixes with microbial metabolites and minerals from different sources (soil, water, etc.). After fermentation period, they naturally come out of the rocks due to the sun’s heat, and this is when they are harvested. They are manually scraped from the rocks and then processed to remove impurities. The outcome is a homogeneous paste-like material in dark brown to black in color. It appears glossy with a bitter taste and bitumen-like smell.

Nutrient and Mineral Components in Shilajit

Even before the early times, Shilajit is believed to have many uses particularly in the health and medicine field. It contains more or less 85 minerals and nutrients in ionic form, as well as selenium, fulvic and humic acid, and phospholipids. These compounds make a good source of antioxidant and energy-enhancing components.

There is about 60 to 80 percent of fulvic acid found in Shilajit, and according to studies, the higher the fulvic acid content, the better anti-aging properties are. Shilajit promotes healthy digestion, improves vitality, and detoxifies the body. It is also a known aphrodisiac.

Uses and Benefits of Shilajit

Shilajit promotes healthy metabolism because it contains 85 minerals and nutrients which help in proper digestion. Its minerals are not like of those found in health supplements because they are in ionic form. Minerals that are in an ionic form are easily and quickly absorbed by the cells of the body. This helps greatly in maintaining the catabolism, as well as anabolism process in a good equilibrium condition. It also detoxifies the body, flushing out the toxins within.

It is known even during the 21st century that fulvic acid from shilajit is a far more superior than any other sources available. A sufficient amount of fulvic acid found in Silajeet helps fight aging. Fulvic acid helps speed up the penetration of the cell walls, which is essential for the absorption of minerals. This is the most significant role of Shilajit, which reverses the process of aging.

Fulvic acid structure

Although proper diet and health supplements are very important for for anti-aging purposes, they lack the effect shilajit has because of the potency. Shilajit as an antioxidant helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Needless to say, these are harmful components, which have the ability to block nerves and arteries.

People who take shilajit do not only get healthier and younger-looking skin because fulvic acid works from within, but they also benefit from cells regeneration inside the body thus improving even the condition of the internal organs. Taking shilajit prevents kidney disorders, liver diseases, heart problems, and other health conditions. It also helps regulate menstrual cycle in women.

Shilajit is a powerful aphrodisiac for men. While most aphrodisiacs are not really effective and are just believed to be effective as in with “placebo effect,” Shilajit is proven effective by many of its users. While it is a potent sexual enhancer in men, it can also be an effective aphrodisiac in women by combining it to another substance called ashwagandha.

Shilajit is also known for its energy-enhancing properties. Free radicals that are properly neutralized helps unleash and at the same time, increase stamina and energy. Those who take it at proper dose may feel rejuvenated and energized.

Because Shilajit is said to have ushan virya, it could also work as pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory medicine. Because it is dry, hot, and light, it can suppress pain deriving from arthritis and rheumatism.

Other benefits of shilajit:

• • It helps prevent stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • It helps fight insomnia.
  • It improves the appearance of the skin.
  • It strengthens the immune system.
  • It improves lung functions.
  • It improves blood circulation
  • It reduces the risk of ulcers

Find more about shilajit benefits here.

Shilajit in Combination with Ashwagandha

Many people take shilajit together with a tonic herbal product, such as ashwagandha. Ashwagandha, also called withania somnifera, is a plant which works as an adaptogen. It possess almost the same properties as that of shilajit, including pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antianxiety. When taken along with shilajit, the effect is astoundingly impressive.

The ashwagandha dosage to be combined with shilajit varies widely depending on if you’re using a raw powdered form, an extract, or something else.

Shilajit helps to bring out the best in ashwagandha. As a result, the person becomes more focused and rejuvenated. It also increases his desire for sex, while in women, it can actually help regulate menstrual cycle and even improve fertility.

Availability of Shilajit

Shilajeet or moomiyo is available in many online stores as well as local pharmacies. They come in different forms, including capsules, liquid, and powder. Capsules at 500mg each are the most common form of shilajit offered online and in local stores. They are preferred by many people because they are easier to ingest and find. On the other hand, you can also find Shilajeet in its purified, raw form in online stores.

Shilajit Dosage

The proper shilajit dosage depends on several factors including age and health condition of the user, and brand and form of the shilajit. The amount may be 100 milligrams or 1 gram or more per dose, up to several times a day, depending on these factors. You can add it to a beverage, as what ancient people in Pakistan, Nepal and India used to do. They add it to raw or fermented milk.

How long should you be on it? The shilajit dosage duration is lifelong optimally. They say if you take shilajit every day for 12 years, it will add 12 additional years to your life.

The ideal shilajit dosage time is first thing in the morning along with the sunrise, though can also be taken at any other time in the day.

Who Can Use Shilajit?

Moomiyo or Shilajit is very safe to use when taken in at small doses at appropriate intervals. It may also be used at high doses if you want to improve immunity and vitality. However, there are no studies yet which proved that pregnant women and lactating mothers can use shilajit. Therefore, it is better to stay away from it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Note also that it has warming properties which may double the effect if used with other warming products.

Shilajit Side Effects

To make sure you do not get side effects, following the directions printed on the label of the product is worth noting. In case you are going to use the purified shilajit resin, it is best to experiment the dosing very carefully first. You might want to begin with a small dose on your first try, then increase by a bit afterwards.

There is no better way to find out the appropriate dose of a substance but with doctor’s advice.So, if you are planning to take shilajit, always talk to your doctor or ayurvedic practitioner first.

Those who use shilajit often find no negative effects. However, those who have gout my want to stay away from it since it can make the uric acid level high. Furthermore, overdosing may occur if you take it with an iron supplement. Note that shilajit is rich in iron.

Find more about shilajit side effects here.

Though every one is different, shilajit allergies are probably not actually allergies to shilajit, but problems with inferior quality products that claim to be shilajit when they’re not or have harmful additives.

If you are using it together with ashwagandha, remember to discontinue right away if you are pregnant. Studies show that ashwagandha contains substances that may cause miscarriage in some cases.

Beware of Fake Shilajit

Shilajit is safe for everyone when used in proper dose. However, it can be dangerous if you use raw, as it still contains plenty of impurities which can negatively affect some individuals. You don’t necessarily need machine-processed shilajit, but manually by hand. On the other hand, it can also do more harm than good if you take fake moomiyo. They contain heavy metals and other substances which you don’t want in your body.

Dabur, a big company that distributes Shilajit, was found to be providing low quality shilajit. According to the World Health Organization, Dabur products contain dangerous levels of mercury, arsenic, and lead.

Some people who buy Shilajit think that what they are buying is good Shilajit. This may happen to you too if you don’t know how to tell real from fake. There is a substance that have the same physical properties as that of shilajit – and it is called ozokerite. It is another humic substance that looks exactly the same as shilajit. However, it has no medicinal benefits. To easily determine if the product is ozokerite, you may want to run a test. If it takes a while to melt, then it is possibly fake shilajit.

There are certain ways to tell whether a shilajit is a good buy or not. For dry shilajit, it must have 1.1 up to 1.8 gram/cubic meter density level. It has the properties similar to that of plastic, which hardens when exposed in temperature below 20 degrees Celsius and melts when heated. Shilajit, when mixed in water or any other liquid, melts very thoroughly and does not leave any trace or residue. It turns soft when played between the palm of the hands or fingers. And lastly, it takes forever to expire.

How to Recognize Quality Shilajit

If you have heard about the benefits of using shilajit, then perhaps you are thinking of trying it yourself. However, the problem these days is that it is not as easy to get as it was before. As a result, the chances of getting fake or counterfeited shilajit products are somewhat high. To prevent this from happening and to make sure that you are not risking your health, here are some things to put into account.

1. 1. As much as possible, go for solid shilajit. While not all shilajit in capsule form are fake, many of them are. This is because capsules are definitely the easiest type to fake. Manufacturers can simply start with a small portion of shilajit and then just add fillers that look the same as it.
   2. Get it from a trusted provider. Dozens of providers are available online, not to mention the choices you have at local stores. So, if you can find time to research and know where is best to get shilajit – do it. This may take some time, but you only have to do this once, especially if you are fortunate to find a reliable seller on your first try.
   3. Take note of shilajit’s properties. When you buy, remember to check the smell – it should be bitumen-like. It must also mix well with water leaving no trace or residue. It should melt quickly when applied even with just little heat.

Final Thoughts on Shilajit

Shilajit is considered safe in many countries including the United States. Using it appropriately gives you a good number of health benefits. Even stronger than health supplements, shilajit is a good source of minerals, antioxidant, and fulvic acid. It helps fight aging, detoxify the body, improve immunity, maintain healthy digestion, relieve stress, pain, and inflammation, and prevents many types of diseases.

Click here to see which types of Shilajit we have for sale.

References and studies:

1. Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine
2. Cardioprotective Effect of Mumie (Shilajit) on Experimentally Induced Myocardial Injury
3. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo)
4. Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity

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Logan Christopher

Logan Christopher has been called the Physical Culture Renaissance Man for his many wide-ranging feats of strength. His interest in herbalism, hormones and health began with seeking peak performance mentally and physically.

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