# Shilajit

> Shilajit is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination. No dedicated WHO monograph. [Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733436/). PMID [23733436](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733436/) · [doi:10.1002/ptr.5018](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5018) PRISMA-guided systematic review of 15 clinical studies (1,254 participants) across chronic fatigue syndrome, high-altitude sickness, cognitive decline, and infertility.

## Key facts

- **Pharmacopoeia status:** No dedicated WHO monograph. Referenced in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Shilajatu. USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards referenced for quality testing. Classified as Rasayana (rejuvenative) in classical Ayurvedic texts including Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | shilajit_mineral_pitch |

## How does it work?

- Fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones (DBPs) act as electron shuttles in mitochondria, accelerating electron transport at Complex I and Complex III for enhanced ATP production
- DBPs function as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, working in tandem with CoQ10 in the electron transport chain
- Fulvic acid chelates minerals enhancing bioavailability and facilitating transport across cell membranes
- Fulvic acid blocks tau protein self-aggregation, relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathology
- Modulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to attenuate chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms
- Preserves mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and stabilizes complex enzyme activities preventing mitochondrial dysfunction
- Reverses mitochondrial oxidative stress: normalizes NO concentration, lipid peroxidation, SOD, and catalase activities
- Neuroprotection via cAMP/NO signaling pathway modulation and anti-neuroinflammatory activity

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Stohs SJ 2014. [Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733436/). *Phytotherapy research : PTR*. PMID [23733436](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23733436/) · [doi:10.1002/ptr.5018](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5018)  
  PRISMA-guided systematic review of 15 clinical studies (1,254 participants) across chronic fatigue syndrome, high-altitude sickness, cognitive decline, and infertility. Generally mild adverse events (GI discomfort, headache); no serious adverse events reported.
- Das SS, Ramkumar M, Singh H and others 2026. [Pre-clinical Evaluation of Shilajit in Cancer: A Systematic Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41640940/). *Cureus*. PMID [41640940](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41640940/) · [doi:10.7759/cureus.101736](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101736)  
  Systematic review found promising preclinical [anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) evidence but no randomized controlled clinical trials or human studies evaluating Shilajit as a primary anticancer therapy.
- Basavaraja D, Katkar R, Dhaka P and others 2025. [Chemical Analysis of Native Himalayan Shilajit: An Evaluation of an Ayurvedic Formulation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41404054/). *ACS omega*. PMID [41404054](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41404054/) · [doi:10.1021/acsomega.5c05533](https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c05533)  
  ACS Omega publication providing detailed chemical characterization of Himalayan Shilajit identifying dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, fulvic acids, humic acids, trace minerals, and heavy metal profiles.

*4 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Processed Shilajit possibly safe at 500 mg daily for up to 48 weeks or 2 g daily for 45 days based on clinical evidence
- Adverse events generally mild and transient: gastrointestinal discomfort, headache - no serious adverse events in systematic review of 15 studies
- CRITICAL: Raw, unpurified Shilajit may contain arsenic, lead, mercury, and other toxic heavy metals (~65 heavy metals identified including Cu, Al, Pb, As, Cd, Hg)
- Thallium contamination identified in some Shilajit supplements (2025 PMC study) - potential risk from unregulated products
- Drug interaction: may potentiate hypoglycemic agents causing dangerously low blood sugar
- Drug interaction: may interfere with anticoagulants (warfarin) increasing bleeding risk
- Drug interaction: may potentiate blood pressure medications causing excessive hypotension
- Drug interaction: may affect thyroid medication efficacy
- Fulvic acid can bind metals and influence iron uptake - separate dosing from iron supplements by 2-3 hours
- Contraindicated in hemochromatosis and individuals prone to kidney stones due to mineral content
- Not monitored by FDA for quality or purity - third-party testing (USP, NSF) recommended

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Shuddha Shilajit (purified resin), Capsule, Tablet, With milk

**Standard Dosage:** 250–500 mg twice daily; traditional: pea-sized amount with warm milk

**Bioavailability:** Fulvic acid acts as bioenhancer — improves CoQ10 absorption by 27.6% and nutrient transport across cell membranes

**Optimal Timing:** Morning and evening with warm milk; empty stomach or with meals

**Standardized Extract:** Purified Shilajit resin standardized to >60% fulvic acid

**Shelf Life:** 5+ years (resin); 2–3 years (capsules/tablets)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place; resin in glass jar; avoid direct sunlight

**Marker Compounds:** Fulvic acid (60–80%), Humic acid, Dibenzo-alpha-pyrones (DBPs), Iron, Zinc, 40+ trace minerals

**Quality Parameters:** Fulvic acid >50%, heavy metals (As <3 ppm, Hg <1 ppm, Pb <10 ppm, Cd <3 ppm), moisture <5%, ash 15–20%, no mycotoxins

**Vehicle (Anupana):** Warm milk (premier vehicle); honey; [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) Churna

### Extraction Methods

- Traditional: dissolve in warm water, filter through muslin cloth, evaporate
- Modern: aqueous extraction → filtration → vacuum concentration

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) (Rasayana synergy)
- [Loha Bhasma](/herb/loha-bhasma/) (iron enhancement)
- [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) (kidney/reproductive support)
- Safed Musli ([Vajikarana](/glossary/pharmacology/#vajikarana))

### Stability Notes

Resinous form is inherently stable. Hygroscopic — protect from moisture. Tablet/capsule forms need moisture barrier packaging

*Generated for the AgeAyurveda Herb Catalogue*

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/shilajit/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.