Shilajit: Ancient Medicine for a Modern Toxic World

James Odell, OMD, ND, L.Ac.

Ancient Origins and Global Presence of Shilajit

Amid the towering peaks and deep valleys of some of the world’s highest mountain ranges, organic matter from plants and microorganisms undergoes a slow, natural decomposition over centuries. This undisturbed cycle produces rich humic substances, including fulvic and humic acids. As these compounds seep into rock crevices, they absorb minerals under intense geological pressure and varying temperatures found at such extreme altitudes. Over time, this process gives rise to a tar-like, mineral-rich substance known as shilajit.Most shilajit is a pale brown to blackish-brown exudation, of variable consistency, found in layers of rocks in many mountain ranges of the world, especially the Himalayan ranges of the Indian subcontinent (Tibet, Afghanistan, Nepal). It is also found in Russia, Norway, the north of Chile, and numerous other mountainous countries, where it is collected from rock faces at altitudes between 1000 and 5000 meters.

Shilajit is an ancient cross-cultural medicine that goes by many names. In Sanskrit, it is called शिलाजीत Silajit or Silaras, adrija, girija (all meaning derived from rock). In Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, it is called Silajita or Shilajit; in Bengali, Silajatu; in Arabic, Hajarul-musa; in Persian, Momio; in Russian, myemu; and in German, mumie.1,2

Varieties

According to the Charaka Samhita, a foundational text in Ayurveda, there are four principal varieties of shilajit (also known as shalajit or mumiyo), classified based on the type of metal predominating in the surrounding rock and soil from which the substance exudes. These are:

1. Swarna (Savrana) – Golden or reddish in hue, this variety is associated with gold-rich geological environments. It is extremely rare and is considered highly potent in Ayurvedic texts. It is believed to enhance vitality, improve cognitive function, and rejuvenate the body's tissues, though due to its scarcity, it is not commonly available.

2. Rajat – Silvery or pale white in color, this type is associated with rocks containing silver. It is also quite rare and is said to possess cooling and calming properties, making it beneficial for conditions involving excess heat or pitta dosha imbalance.

3. Tamra – Bluish or copper-colored, this variety is linked to copper-rich rocks. It is the least commonly found among the four and is considered to have properties that stimulate metabolism and support liver function. Like swarna and rajat varieties, tamra shilajit is more theoretical in use today due to its rarity.

4. Lauha – Dark brown to black in color, this is the iron-rich and most commonly found variety of shilajit. It is considered the most therapeutically valuable and widely used form in Ayurveda. Lauha shilajit is praised for its rejuvenating, adaptogenic, and anti-aging properties. It is known to enhance strength, stamina, immunity, and support overall vitality. Rich in fulvic acid, humic substances, and trace minerals, it is believed to be especially effective in promoting male reproductive health, managing diabetes, improving cognition, and detoxifying the body.

   
   

Among all four types, lauha shilajit is the most studied and commercially available. It is typically harvested in high-altitude regions such as the Himalayas, where it oozes out of rocks during warm weather. Modern formulations often purify and standardize this variety for safety and efficacy.3,4,5

Chemical Composition and Properties

Extensive scientific research has been conducted to determine the precise chemical nature of shilajit. Findings indicate that shilajit primarily consists of paleohumus—organic matter derived from the fossilized remnants of ancient vegetation that has decomposed and been compressed under rock strata for millennia. Although often described as a mineral tar or resin due to its appearance and texture, shilajit is neither. It is a highly viscous, tar-like substance that, unlike true resins or tars, is readily soluble in water but insoluble in ethanol. This material has undergone significant metamorphosis under the influence of intense geological pressure and temperature, resulting in its distinctive chemical and physical properties.

Chemically, shilajit is composed of approximately 60% to 80% humic substances, including fulvic acid, humic acid, and hippuric acid. It also contains fatty acids, ichthyol, ellagic acid, resins, triterpenes, sterols, aromatic carboxylic acids, 3,4-benzocoumarins, amino acids, phenolic lipids, and a wide range of trace minerals—over 84 types in total—many of which are essential for human physiological function.

The primary bioactivity of shilajit is attributed to its dibenzo-α-pyrone compounds, which, along with fulvic and humic acids, act as carrier molecules that enhance the transport and bioavailability of other active constituents. Earlier studies also identified key organic components such as benzoic acid, hippuric acid, fatty acids, waxy materials, resins, gums, albuminoids, and plant-derived matter—with benzoic acid historically recognized as a principal bioactive ingredient.  9,10,11,12

Fulvic acid acts as a carrier molecule in the human system, helping in the transportation of nutrients into the deep tissues and removing deep-seated toxins from the body.13,14,15,16

Above diagram source: Carrasco-Gallardo, Carlos, Leonardo Guzmán, and Ricardo B. Maccioni. "Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity." International Journal of Alzheimer’s disease 2012 (2012).

Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid

Shilajit is a naturally occurring phytocomplex primarily composed of humic substances, among which fulvic acid is the most bioactive component. Fulvic acid is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing properties. Recent studies have further identified fulvic acid as an inhibitor of tau protein aggregation in vitro, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

The chemical composition of shilajit varies significantly depending on several environmental and geological factors, including the types of vegetation involved, the mineral composition of the surrounding rock, altitude, humidity, and local temperature patterns. For example, shilajit from the Kumaon region of India contains the highest concentration of fulvic acid at 21.4%, compared to samples from Nepal (15.4%), Pakistan (15.5%), and Russia (19.0%). Conversely, shilajit from Nepal was found to contain higher concentrations of bioactive low molecular weight compounds. 23

Historical Uses in Traditional Medicine

Shilajit has been revered for thousands of years in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani as a powerful rejuvenator, adaptogen, and tonic for overall health and vitality. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a Rasayana—a category of substances known to promote longevity, rejuvenation, mental clarity, and resistance to disease. It is believed to nourish all seven dhatus (tissues of the body), enhance ojas (vital life force), and balance the three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha.

Traditionally, shilajit was used to support a wide range of ailments, including:

• Genitourinary disorders, such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract issues

• Liver conditions, including jaundice and hepatic congestion

• Digestive complaints, such as constipation, bloating, and poor absorption

• Neurological disorders, including epilepsy and mental fatigue

• Hematological conditions like anemia

• Metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes mellitus, due to its ability to regulate blood sugar and enhance cellular function

  
  

Traditionally, shilajit was often mixed with warm milk or herbal decoctions to increase its absorption and therapeutic potency. It was also widely used as an aphrodisiac to improve sexual stamina, reproductive health, and fertility in both men and women. 24,25,26

Current Uses in Medicine

In modern times, shilajit is recognized for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body adapt to physical, emotional, and environmental stress. It contains fulvic acid, humic substances, and over 80 trace minerals, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-enhancing effects. Scientific studies are now validating many of its traditional uses, particularly its roles in enhancing energy production, improving cognitive function, supporting hormonal health, and slowing the aging process.

Central Nervous System Benefits (Neuroprotection)

Shilajit appears to exert a targeted neuroprotective effect, particularly in safeguarding brain cells. Preliminary research has demonstrated that it possesses “distinct and marked neuroprotective activity.”

A 2013 study conducted by the Physiology Research Center at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Iran explored the effects of shilajit on critical risk factors following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The researchers found that shilajit had beneficial effects on the three most significant indicators of mortality after TBI: brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and intracranial pressure. These findings suggest a promising role for shilajit in the management of brain trauma.

Additionally, shilajit has demonstrated anti-epileptic properties and potential antipsychotic effects, possibly due to its ability to regulate levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)—a key inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in maintaining neurological balance.27,28

Memory Enhancement and Anxiolytic Activity

Shilajit’s impact on anxiety and cognitive function has also been examined. In a study using Charles Foster strain albino rats, shilajit demonstrated significant anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. While acute administration showed minimal influence on brain monoamines and their metabolites, subacute treatment (administered over five days) produced notable neurochemical changes.

Specifically, there was a decrease in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (a serotonin metabolite) and an increase in dopamine, homovanillic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations—suggesting enhanced dopaminergic activity. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) turnover, which together are associated with improved memory function and reduced anxiety.

Given these neurochemical effects, shilajit may offer a promising avenue for the development of treatments aimed at cognitive enhancement and anxiety reduction. Moreover, its multi-faceted actions suggest potential as a therapeutic option for patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia.29,30

Mitochondrial and Nervous System Support

Shilajit supports energy production by enhancing mitochondrial function, particularly when combined with CoQ10. It also helps fight oxidative stress and reduce fat levels in the blood. Neurologically, shilajit demonstrates neuroprotective activity and has shown promise in reducing symptoms of traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and anxiety.

Animal studies have also linked shilajit to improved memory and increased dopamine activity, suggesting potential as a therapeutic for mild cognitive impairment and mood disorders.

Immunomodulatory and Dosage Guidelines

Animal studies show shilajit boosts white blood cell activity, with increased effectiveness at higher doses and longer exposure times. It comes in resin, tablet, or capsule form. For resin, the recommended maintenance dose is 300–500 mg per day, starting with a grain-of-rice-sized amount and increasing to a pea-sized dose.

Dosage:

Shilajit comes as a resin, in tablets and capsules. One way to find your optimal Shilajit dosage of resin is to begin taking a piece about the size of a grain of rice (~100 mg) once per day. In a few days, take the same amount 2-3 times per day. Then gradually increase the amount of Shilajit taken with each dose up to a large pea size (~300 mg) until you achieve the desired benefits. Do not be greatly concerned with getting the portions exactly right or the same each time you take it. Use the same shape (elliptical like rice or round like a pea) each time to ensure that you have a relatively consistent Shilajit daily dose. Thus, the recommended dose of Shilajit for maintenance of optimal health is 300-500 mg/day.

As with any food supplement, herbal, or mineral product an important part of purchasing a quality product is to find reputable distributors. Many companies are selling various shilajit products, but some of them have impure forms of the substance or are cut with other, non-nutritional things. So, best to do some research before purchasing.

Clinical and Preclinical Research Findings

Shilajit has demonstrated antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties in both human and animal studies. It aids in detoxification—specifically the neutralization of graphene oxide—and enhances spermatogenesis and physical performance by boosting ATP production.

Studies also indicate it supports faster muscle and nerve recovery, enhances resistance to fatigue, and may protect against oxidative stress.

Conclusion:

Shilajit is a potent and very safe dietary supplement, potentially able to prevent and treat several diseases. It is rich in organic acids (humic and fulvic acids), minerals, and other unique medicinal components. It is a medicinal substance with a long history of human use (over 3000 years) and is described in ancient medicinal texts such as the Hindu Materia Medica, Charaka Samhita, and Susruta Samhita. Traditionally, shilajit is consumed by people from Nepal and the North of India, and children usually take it with milk in their breakfast. Many Sherpas of the Himalaya’s claim to have shilajit as part of their diet. Sherpas are renowned in the international climbing and mountaineering community for their hardiness, expertise, and experience at very high altitudes. They constitute a population of strong men with very high levels of health and longevity.

Shilajit is an important, known component of Ayurvedic medicine given its characteristics as a rasayana. In this context, health benefits such as an increase in longevity, rejuvenating, and arresting aging roles have been attributed to it.

Modern research has proven shilajit to be beneficial in nervous, diabetic, urinary, immune, cardiac, and digestive disorders, and is also used as a performance enhancer. Also, it has been claimed in India to be used as yogavaha, that is, as a synergistic enhancer of other drugs. Organic components of shilajit play a role in transporting different mineral substances to their cellular targets. It is expected that considering the reported benefits evidenced historically and from several trials that much more positive clinical research will be published.

Resources:

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