What is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a black gooey substance that has been used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine. It is considered to be an extremely effective herb due to the abundant presence of Fulvic Acid, an active chemical compound which promotes the absorption of nutrients.
Historically, the health benefits of shilajit are recorded to have differed from region to region, depending on where it was harvested or extracted. Today, the potent, and generally very safe dietary supplement is best known for helping restore one’s energetic balance, preventing numerous diseases, promoting physical and mental endurance, as well as, having anti-aging properties.
Where does shilajit come from?
The black tar-like goo comes from mountain crevices in the Himalayan, Tibetan, and Altai mountains. Shilajit is considered to be “India’s most prized herbal remedy” and has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. The substance itself takes centuries to form through gradual decomposition of certain plants and microorganisms.
While it is usually black, Shilajit may also be in a yellowish-brown color, with black shilajit considered to be the most nutritionally dense and valuable.
What are the other name of this ancient resin?
Due to its many uses and of how long shilajit has been around, it has garnered many different names. Depending on where you are in the world, it may also be known as the following:
- Mineral pitch
- Live mineral resin
- Mineral wax
- Shargai
- Mumlai
- Brag Zhun
- Chao-tong
- Wu ling zhi
- Baad-a-ghee
- Dorobi
- Barahshin
- Baragshun
- Arhar-tash
- Mumiyo
- Black asphaltum
- Asphaltum punjabianum
What are the benefits of Shilajit?
Despite its dark and considerably frightening appearance, shilajit has an infinite number of health benefits. Here are ten benefits of shilajit that can improve your health greatly:
- Boosting energy
One of shilajit’s popular uses is for energy boosting and revitalizing the body. Shilajit helps provide the body with energy by helping increase the functions of mitochondriain the body. As we all know, mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of cells in the body. They convert oxygen and nutrients into ATP or adenosine triphosphate, the substance that powers those cells.
Shilajit helps the function of mitochondria by helping them oxygenate efficiently. Because of this, it may increase one’s overall energy and stamina. This is a reason why so many also use Shilajit for chronic fatigue syndrome.
2. Regulating hormones
Shilajit is commonly used to help men who have an imbalance in testosterone. With age, testosterone levels start to decrease, causing mood swings, weight gain, depression, weak bones, thinning of hair, and even severe fatigue.
A study in 2010 included 60 male volunteers who underwent a 3-month period of shilajit treatment. 50% of them showed improved testosterone levels by 23.5%. The resin works by flushing the body of free radicals, which helps to improve testosterone levels.
3. Promoting brain health
A study noted that one of the traditional uses of shilajit is for longevity. Compounds found in shilajit may help control and tame cognitive disorders, like Alzheimer’s. Though researchers are optimistic about the impact of shilajit on cognitive disorders, more research is needed.
4. Protect against cancer
Researchers are considering shilajit as a potential natural cancer treatment. When in the presence of cancer cells, in some cases, shilajit is found to be toxic to the cancer cells and may even help protect certain body systems from radiation damage. A study in June 2016 found that shilajit may help protect ovaries from radiation damage.
5. Alleviating pain
In Ayurvedic medicine, shilajit has been found to have a significant sedating effect in pain occurring on the face, mouth, or jaws. In a 2015 study, researchers found that shilajit was able to relieve and lessen chronic pain in mice. On a personal note, I have experience less knee pain over the course of using shilajit. This could be due to it’s ability to support a less inflamed environment.
6. Fighting inflammation, viruses, and acne
Some research has suggested that shilajit is effective in healing and preventing gastric ulcers, as well as fighting disease-causing inflammation. Some properties in shilajit may also help fight against herpes-related viruses.
Some skincare aficionados have also commended shilajit products for helping control oil production and acne. Whether consumed or applied topically, shilajit may help in fading acne spots and early signs of aging.
7. Managing diabetes
Research has shown that in some cases, daily supplementation with shilajit can help reduce “oxidative stress” in those who suffer from diabetes. Shilajit may also be effective in stabilizing physiological processes and promoting homeostasis.
8. Supporting bone health
Studies have found that shilajit may improve skeletal systems by helping bones regenerate and protect them by slowing down osteoporosis.
9. Helping heart function and blood
A recent study using rats showed the effects of shilajit on the heart. Animals who were treated with the substance prior to an induced cardiac injury were found to have less damage to the heart compared to those who were not given any. Shilajit may also reduce blood pressure and help with anemia some cases.
10. Controlling addictions
Mumiyo has a unique interaction with other drugs, specifically opiods. It helps to reduce the addiction and withdrawal symptoms. This medicinal herb has been used to help break the addiction patterns and medication dependence for centuries.
How can you take shilajit?
Shilajit is commonly sold in three forms: powder, resin, and supplements. Most experts recommend using shilajit resin as it is considered the “purest” form.
For this reason we suggest buying a version of shilajit with a lower concentration of water. In it’s “silly putty” like state (seen below) this moisture level allow you to pull a small amount Mumiye from the glass jar, roll it into a ball and take it like a pill.
For ingestion, the simplest way is to mix it with water. Though, fair warning: the taste is a smokey earthy flavor. Its benefits are worth bearing the rubbery taste.
Shilajit products may also be used in a number of beauty and skincare products, such as shilajit creams and sprays. The spray shown above is an all natural vitamin mist, and facial toner. This product contains both colloidal silver and the rich filtered resin. The resin delivers up to 85 ionic vitamins and minerals, while the colloidal silver creates a anti microbial environment to ward off bacteria and shield the skin from potential break outs. View the positive reviews!
Buying Shilajit
Not all Mumiyo is created equal!
- It’s important that you buy shilajit sold in glass not plastic. The thick gooey resin is a powerful substance and it will pull in toxins from the plastic. Leaching harmful substances into the product defeats the cleansing purposes. For this reason, glass is a safer medium for storage.
- Buy shilajit that is tested in the United States. As with many products, you want to make sure you are getting a clean, and potent product free from natural contaminants and heavy metals.
Buy Shilajit Here
Final thoughts on the benefits of shilajit
When used properly, shilajit can have many benefits. Even for those who do not suffer from any illness or disease. Think of Shilajit as your daily detoxifying bodyguard. Always there to shuttle out the toxins, promote energy, protect your body from harm, and rejuvenate you from the inside out!
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