Shilajit is a natural substance which is made up of humus and gradually decomposed plant remains exuded from the layers of rocks of the Himalayas. It is a sticky blackish brown resin having abundance of minerals which are beneficial to health at different level.
As per ayurveda strong sun rays of jyesta and ashada months heats up and melts the layers of the mountain yielding a resin like semisolid liquid substance known as shilajit.
Shailodbhava, shaileya, shaila, girijathu, adrija, shailadhatuja
Shilamaya, shilasweda, shila niryasa, ashma laksha, gaireya.
1. Latin name; Asphaltum punjabianum
2. English name; Asphaltum, Black bitumen, mineral pitch, black asphaltum
3. Other names; Moomiyo, moomie, punjabinum, memiya, asmaja, kanmandam
There are 4 types (based on its place of availability)
1. Swarna garbha shilajit; obtained from the mountains or areas where the gold ore is found
2. Rajatha garbha shilajit; obtained from the places where the silver ore is found
3. Tamra garbha shilajit; obtained from the places where the copper ore is present
4. Loha garbha shilajit; obtained from the places where the iron ores are present.
Bhava Praksha Nighantu
Rasa ( taste); Katu (pungent), tikta (bitter)
Virya (potency); Ushna (hot)
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion); Katu (pungent)
Guna (qualities); Yogavahi (carries the qualities of other substances with which it is associated), chedi (cutting)
Effect on doshas; Kapha and medha hara (pacifies kapha and medha)
1. Daibetes mellitus (sharkara)
2. Obstructive/difficulty in micturation (muthrakrichra)
3. Tuberculosis/ diseases that cause emaciation (kshaya)
4. Dyspnoea (shwasa)
5. Non bleeding haemorrhoids (vataja arshas)
6. Anaemia (pandu)
7. Epilepsy (apasmara)
8. Psychiatric disorder (unmada)
9. Oedema (shotha)
10. Skin diseases (kusta)
11. Ascites (udara)
12. Worms (krimi)
It is said that there is no curable disease in the universe which is not effectively cured by shilajit when administered in the proper way.
Shilajit can be taken internally only after its purification and never be taken in its raw form. If not purified well then it leads to
Excess thirst (daha)
Giddiness (murcha)
Hallucination (bhrama)
Drying of pitta and blood (pittasr shoshana)
Reduced digestion (agni mandya)
Constipation (vit graham)
Purification not only removes impurities like soil and dirt but also enhances the therapeutic efficacy. Shilajit is available in several forms, including capsules, tablets, powder and liquids. The purest form after purification is in liquid or tar which is available in the market and can be consumed with additives like milk, water or Triphala kwatha in a very small dose of 250-500mg.
The basic component of this mineral pitch is influenced by attributes such as the type of plant species involved, the geological nature of the rock, temperature, altitude and humidity of the particular region.
Shilajit mainly comprises 60-80% of organic matter, 20-40% mineral matter and 5% of trace elements. It bears a close resemblance to a cactus-like plant called euphorbia royleana due to similarity in its composition. Several reports and scientific data suggest that it contains 80 bioactive components and a humus substance mainly fulvic acid.
As per the study in the International Journal of Alzheimer’s disease, fulvic acid which is an active antioxidant in shilajit helps in reducing the risks of cognitive problems such as alzheimer’s by preventing the formation of tau. This is the protein responsible for forming neurofibrillary tangles which in turn leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical studies have shown that using shilajit increases testosterone levels in men. Another clinical research has also shown an increase in sperm count and sperm motility.
Shilajit is well known for its rejuvenating properties as it contains a potent antioxidant fulvic acid. It helps in preventing tissue damage and tissue repair by its anti-inflammatory properties.
The presence of high levels of humic acid and iron in this herbo mineral compound is extremely beneficial in increasing haemoglobin levels, hematocrit and red blood cells.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property of shilajit helps to improve cellular functions which helps in managing chronic fatigue syndrome.
Shilajit has hypoglycaemic properties as it stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas and reduces the breakdown of starch into glucose.
Shilajit increases the level of glutathione, an antioxidant that improves circulation and cardiac functioning and humic acid helps in the reduction of cholesterol levels.
A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food noted that people who were on a supplement of shilajit along with exercise responded better in weight reduction than those without the supplement.
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