What Is Shilajit? Everything You Need to Know

Shilajit is a dark, sticky resin that seeps from rock high in the world's great mountain ranges, and it has been valued for thousands of years. Interest has grown quickly in Britain, yet many people are still unsure what it actually is. This guide answers the most common questions about where it comes from, what it contains and how to use it safely.

What Is Shilajit Made Of?

Shilajit forms over hundreds of years as plant matter breaks down and is compressed between layers of rock. Heat from the sun softens it during warmer months, and it slowly oozes out of cracks in the mountainside.

Its best-known active compound is fulvic acid, a natural substance that helps carry minerals into cells. It also contains humic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones (often shortened to DBPs) and a wide range of trace minerals, including iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium. The exact make-up varies from one mountain range to the next, and even between batches from the same source, which is why independent testing matters so much.

Where Does Shilajit Come From?

Most shilajit is gathered at high altitude in the Himalayas, across parts of Nepal, India and northern Pakistan. It is also found in the Altai Mountains of Russia and Mongolia, the Caucasus and Tibet. In Russia and Central Asia it is better known as mumijo.

Collectors usually harvest it by hand from rock faces. In its raw state it is mixed with stone, soil and other debris, so it has to be purified before it is safe to eat. Good producers dissolve the raw material in spring water, filter it several times and then dry it slowly at low temperatures until it becomes a thick, glossy resin. Shilajit from different regions can vary slightly in colour and taste, but all of it should pass the same safety tests.

How Has Shilajit Been Used Traditionally?

In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, shilajit is classed as a rasayana: a substance taken to support vitality and long life. Its Sanskrit name is often translated as "conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness".

It was traditionally dissolved in warm milk or water and often combined with herbs. Similar customs developed separately in Central Asia, where mumijo featured in folk remedies for centuries. Traditional use shows how highly people valued it, but it is not the same as scientific proof, which is why researchers have started to study it more closely.

What Does Shilajit Do in the Body?

Researchers are still working this out. Most attention has gone on fulvic acid and DBPs, which laboratory studies suggest may play a part in how cells produce energy and protect themselves from oxidative stress.

A handful of small human trials have also looked at testosterone, sperm quality, muscle strength after exercise and bone density, with encouraging results. However, most were short, involved fewer than 100 people and used a single branded extract, so the evidence is still at an early stage. We go through the studies in detail in our article on shilajit benefits, and look at the research specific to men in our guide to shilajit benefits for men.

What Forms Does Shilajit Come In?

Shilajit is sold as a resin, a powder, capsules, liquid drops and chewable gummies. Resin is the closest to its natural state and the easiest to check, because you can see, feel and taste what you are getting. Powders and capsules are convenient, but they make fillers much harder to spot. Liquid drops are usually shilajit dissolved in water or alcohol, so check how much is in each millilitre.

Gummies have become popular because they mask the bitter taste, though they tend to contain added sugar and less shilajit per serving. Read our guide to shilajit gummies before choosing that option.

Is Shilajit Safe and Who Should Avoid It?

Purified, properly tested shilajit is generally well tolerated in the amounts used in studies, typically 250 to 500 mg a day. Raw or poorly processed shilajit is a different matter, as it can contain heavy metals, fungi and other contaminants.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are under 18
• have a long-term condition such as gout, haemochromatosis (iron overload) or heart disease
• take prescription medicines, especially for blood pressure or diabetes

Shilajit is sold as a food supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

How Do You Choose Good Shilajit?

Start by asking the seller for a recent certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory, showing heavy metal levels and fulvic acid content. Look for a clear statement of where the shilajit was sourced and how it was purified.

Genuine resin should be firm when cold, soften in the warmth of your hand and dissolve fully in warm water. Be wary of rock-bottom prices and of sellers making medical claims, which UK rules do not allow. Our guide to buying shilajit UK covers these checks in more detail. Take your time, buy from a seller who can prove purity, and you will get far more from your shilajit.