What is Shilajit?
Shilajit (Sanskrit: "rock-invincible") is a tar-like mineral resin that exudes from rock fissures in the Himalayas, Altai, Caucasus, and Andes mountains at altitudes of 1,000–5,000 metres, particularly during warm seasons. It is formed over millions of years by the microbial decomposition of plant matter — primarily humus-forming plants like Euphorbia royleana and Trifolium repens — compacted and transformed under geological pressure.
It is the most important single substance in Ayurvedic medicine, classified as a rasayana (rejuvenating tonic) and considered the cornerstone of many formulations. The Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita describe Shilajit as capable of treating virtually every disease when properly purified (shodhana).
Key bioactive compounds
- Fulvic acid (15–20% of quality extract): The primary therapeutic compound. A complex of over 200 biologically active organic molecules that support electron transport, mineral chelation and delivery, anti-inflammation, and cellular metabolism.
- Dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs) and DBP chromoproteins: Unique to Shilajit; support CoQ10 regeneration in the mitochondrial electron transport chain and have antioxidant properties.
- Humic acid: Larger-molecular-weight humic substances with immune-modulating and prebiotic properties.
- Mineral complexes: Shilajit naturally contains 84+ trace minerals in ionic form, many chelated by fulvic acid for superior absorption (magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese).
- Triterpenes and sterols: Various plant-derived compounds with adaptogenic properties.
Raw, unpurified Shilajit can contain dangerous levels of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium from the geological environment. Multiple consumer product analyses have found elevated heavy metals in low-quality Indian supplements labelled as Shilajit. Only use products with third-party heavy metal testing certificates (COA) confirming levels below AYUSH/USP/FSSAI limits. The traditional Ayurvedic purification process (shodhana) significantly reduces heavy metal content, as does modern extraction.
Testosterone evidence
The most important human RCT was published in Andrologia (2016) by Pandit et al.: 75 healthy male volunteers aged 45–55 were randomised to purified Shilajit 250 mg twice daily or placebo for 90 days. Results:
- Total testosterone: +20.45% (p < 0.05)
- Free testosterone: +19.2% (p < 0.05)
- DHEA-S: +31.0% (p < 0.05)
A second RCT (Prasad et al., 2012) found similar testosterone improvements in infertile men. The proposed mechanisms include: direct gonadotropin support, 17-β-HSD enzyme upregulation (converts DHEA to testosterone), antioxidant protection of Leydig cells, and mineral support for testosterone synthesis (zinc, selenium). This evidence is promising but requires larger, independently replicated trials.
Mitochondrial and energy effects
Shilajit's DBPs (dibenzo-alpha-pyrones) are structurally similar to the quinone ring of CoQ10 and interact directly with the mitochondrial electron transport chain. DBPs act as electron carriers and support the recycling of ubiquinone (CoQ10) from its oxidised form (ubiquinone) back to its reduced active form (ubiquinol). This makes Shilajit particularly synergistic with CoQ10 supplementation — a combination examined by Bhattacharyya et al. (2009), who showed that Shilajit doubled the increase in mitochondrial CoQ10 content compared to CoQ10 alone in animal models.
Quality grading in India
| Grade | Source | Characteristics | Fulvic Acid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Grade (Suvarna Shilajit) | 4,500–5,000m altitude, Ladakh/Sikkim | Red-brown, strongest properties | Highest |
| Silver Grade (Rajat Shilajit) | 3,500–4,500m, Himachal/Uttarakhand | Grey-white coloration | High |
| Copper Grade (Tamra Shilajit) | Lower altitude | Blue coloration, less potent | Moderate |
| Iron Grade (Lauha Shilajit) | Commercial grade | Most common sold; variable quality | Variable |
Dosing and use
Purified resin: 200–500 mg/day dissolved in warm water, milk, or ghee. A pea-sized portion (~300 mg) of genuine resin fully dissolves in warm water within 1–2 minutes. Morning use is traditional; some prefer splitting between morning and evening.
Standardised extract capsules: 200–400 mg/day (40–60% fulvic acid extract). More convenient but less traditional. Ensure COA with heavy metal testing.
What genuine resin looks like: Jet-black, glossy, sticky at room temperature, softens with body heat. Dissolves completely in warm water leaving no sediment. Turns golden-brown when diluted in water. Has a distinctive earthy/tar smell. Does NOT dissolve in alcohol (unlike some adulterants).
Frequently asked questions
Does Shilajit increase testosterone?
A well-designed 2016 RCT showed ~20% total testosterone increase and ~19% free testosterone increase with 250 mg twice daily in men aged 45–55. The evidence is promising but limited to a few RCTs. It supports testosterone physiology rather than acting like TRT — useful as a natural adjunct for age-related testosterone decline.
What is fulvic acid and what does it do?
Fulvic acid is the primary therapeutic compound in Shilajit (15–20% of quality extracts). It functions as an electron shuttle supporting mitochondrial energy production, a mineral chelator improving nutrient absorption, an anti-inflammatory, and a cell membrane transport enhancer. The dibenzo-alpha-pyrones support CoQ10 recycling.
How do I choose quality Shilajit in India?
Mandatory: third-party COA confirming heavy metals are below safety limits. Look for purified resin or standardised extract with specified fulvic acid content (≥15–20%). Avoid raw, unprocessed or suspiciously cheap products. Gold and Silver grade from Himalayan sources (Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh) with purification documentation are most reliable.
What is the correct Shilajit dose?
Purified resin: 200–500 mg/day in warm water or milk. The testosterone RCT used 250 mg twice daily (500 mg/day). Start at 100–200 mg/day for the first 1–2 weeks to assess tolerance. Standardised extract 200–400 mg/day is the capsule equivalent.