Shilajit: The Miraculous Mineral Resin from the Himalayas

Shilajit is a mineral-organic resin that oozes from cracks in rock formations, primarily in the Himalayas, Altai, Caucasus, and other high-mountain areas. It forms from the long-term decomposition of plant and microbial remains compressed in geological layers. During warmer parts of the year, it appears as a dark brown-black, sticky mass that hardens at cooler temperatures.
In Ayurveda, shilajit is considered one of the most potent rasayana (rejuvenating) substances for longevity, immunity, and sexual vitality. Traditional texts describe it as a resin with a broad spectrum of activity that “permeates all the body’s channels,” supporting the function of nearly all organ systems.

In recent decades, shilajit has become a focus of research due to:

• its high content of fulvic acids and other humic compounds,
• its wealth of minerals in ionic form,
• reported effects on mitochondrial function, cognition, metabolism, and antioxidant status.

Below is an expert review of shilajit from the Ayurvedic perspective and based on modern scientific research.

Ayurvedic Perspective

Origin and Classification

Ayurvedic texts classify shilajit among “uparasa” or rasayana dravya, which are special mineral-organic substances with a pronounced rejuvenating effect. Classical sources distinguish multiple types of shilajit based on the associated base rock (gold, silver, copper, iron). In practice, the most commonly referenced type is lauha shilajit, which is associated with iron-containing ores.

Guna, Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, Doshas

According to Ayurvedic commentaries and modern interpretations, shilajit has the following properties:

• Rasa (taste): bitter (tikta), astringent (kashaya), and somewhat pungent.
• Guna (qualities): light (laghu), dry (ruksha).
• Virya (potency/energy): heating (ushna).
• Vipaka (post-digestive effect): predominantly astringent/pungent (katu).
• Effect on Doshas: In moderate doses, it reduces Kapha and Vata doshas and balances Pitta. In excessive amounts, however, it can increase Pitta.

Shilajit is regarded as a yogavahi substance, meaning it enhances the effects of herbs with which it is combined. It is believed to facilitate the delivery of active compounds into tissues (rasa dhatu) and down to the cellular level.

Traditional Indications

Classical Ayurvedic uses of shilajit include support for:

• Prameha: a category of disorders roughly corresponding to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
• Urinary tract and prostate issues: including urinary diseases and kidney/bladder stones.
• Chronic fatigue and exhaustion: including age-related weakness and fatigue.
• Infertility and sexual dysfunction: such as low fertility, sexual weakness, and erectile dysfunction.
• Bone and joint disorders: weakened bones, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal weaknesses.
• Nervous and cognitive disorders: support in neurological conditions and cognitive impairments.

Shilajit is often combined in complex rasayana formulations with herbs like ashwagandha, guduchi, amalaki, or gokshura to synergize its rejuvenating and healing effects.

Composition of Shilajit

Chemically, shilajit is a complex mixture of bioactive substances, including:

• Fulvic acids: low-molecular-weight humic derivatives, water-soluble, with pronounced chelating and antioxidant activity.
• Humic acids and humic substances: other components of humus.
• Minerals and trace elements: for example, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), selenium (Se), potassium (K), and sodium (Na), present in ionic form or as complexes.
• Dibenzo-α-pyrones and phenolic compounds: along with amino acids, peptides, and polyphenols.
• Residual microbial and plant compounds: such as lignins and terpenes from the long-decomposed organic matter.

The exact composition of shilajit varies greatly depending on its geographical origin and the methods of collection and purification. Therefore, standardization—typically by fulvic acid content and careful screening for heavy metals—is crucial for the quality of a shilajit supplement.

Antioxidant Protection

Fulvic acid, the main active fraction of shilajit, acts as a powerful antioxidant and also helps regenerate other antioxidants in the body (such as vitamins C and E). In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that shilajit can:

• reduce lipid peroxidation in cell membranes,
• increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase,
• protect DNA from oxidative damage.

In some experimental models, shilajit reduced oxidative stress associated with hypoxia and altitude sickness, aligning with its traditional use in high-altitude regions.

Mitochondrial Function and Energy

Experimental data indicate that shilajit also supports cellular energy production by acting on mitochondria. Shilajit has been found to:

• promote mitochondrial biogenesis (increasing expression of PGC-1α and other mitochondrial markers),
• improve electron transport chain efficiency and ATP synthesis,
• stabilize mitochondrial membranes and reduce the release of cytochrome c under stress conditions.

These effects translate into increased cellular energy levels and greater physical and mental endurance.

Clinical Data

Pilot clinical studies using shilajit preparations (often in combination with ashwagandha) have reported:

• moderate reductions in blood glucose levels,
• improvements in lipid profile (cholesterol and triglyceride levels),
• decreases in concentrations of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP).

Traditionally, shilajit is categorized as an adaptogen—a substance that increases the body’s resistance to stress and fatigue. Consistent with this, shilajit exhibits immunomodulatory effects, meaning it can modulate the immune system by not only stimulating immune function when needed but also helping to regulate or calm it to maintain balance.

Raw Shilajit vs. Purified Products

Classical Ayurvedic texts strongly emphasize that shilajit must be purified (shodhita) before use. Purification involves removing impurities and any potentially toxic components through sequential processes of heating, filtering, and processing with herbal decoctions.

Modern analyses of raw (unprocessed) shilajit have shown that it can contain:

• heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic, mercury),
• mycotoxins and microbial contamination,
• polyaromatic hydrocarbons and other undesirable organic compounds.

For this reason, expert monographs and regulatory authorities stress that only laboratory-tested, purified, and standardized shilajit should be used in dietary supplements. High-quality shilajit products are typically standardized to a certain percentage of fulvic acids and guaranteed to have very low levels of heavy metals.

Side Effects

In clinical studies with purified shilajit, the most commonly reported side effects are generally mild and may include:

• minor digestive upsets (nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea or constipation),
• transient headaches, insomnia, or irritability,
• in rare cases, allergic skin reactions.

By contrast, reports from unregulated markets and traditional use of raw, unprocessed shilajit have noted instances of:

• heavy metal poisoning,
• kidney damage,
• worsening of gout.

These serious issues underscore the importance of product traceability and rigorous laboratory quality control for any shilajit preparation.

Special Populations and Interactions

Based on available data and international safety assessments:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Most experts advise against using shilajit during pregnancy or while nursing.
• Children and adolescents: Use of shilajit is not recommended in minors without medical supervision.
• Gout: Caution is advised in individuals with gout, as shilajit may influence uric acid metabolism.

Due to its pharmacological effects, some potential interactions (mostly theoretical or inferred from preclinical data) should be kept in mind. For example:Immunosuppressants: Because shilajit has immunomodulatory properties, it should be used cautiously in people taking immunosuppressive medications (such as post-transplant patients or those with autoimmune disorders), as it might alter immune function.

Literatura:

Ghosal, S., Singh, S. K., & Kumar, Y. (1988). Shilajit I: Chemical constituents. Journal of the Chemical Society of India, 65, 449–451. (cited indirectly in more recent reviews).
Ghosal, S. (2006). Shilajit in perspective. Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine Review, 3(2), 1–12.
Gowda, S., & Phadatare, A. G. (2021). Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems and beyond. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 12(3), 508–516.
Joshi, A., Khandwekar, A., & Patgiri, B. (2016). Shilajit: A review of nature’s gift. Ancient Science of Life, 36(1), 3–7.
Khan, F. A., et al. (2012). Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers.Andrologia, 44(Suppl. 1), 362–368.
Mohanty, S., et al. (2019). Purified shilajit attenuates chronic fatigue syndrome in rats by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 236, 47–55.
Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stress-protective activity. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188–224. (Shilajit is discussed as part of the broader group of adaptogens.)
Prajapati, P. K., et al. (2017). Shilajit: A herbo-mineral drug for future generation. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 11(3), 152–160.
Schepetkin, I. A., & Quinn, M. T. (2006). Botanical polysaccharides and humic substances as immunomodulators. International Immunopharmacology, 6(3), 317–333. (Includes data on Shilajit’s humic and fulvic acids.)
Sengupta, P., et al. (2010). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit in male infertility. Andrologia, 42(1), 48–56.
Wilson, J., & Pantenburg, D. (2020). Safety considerations for humic and fulvic acid–containing dietary supplements. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 116, 104722.