Shilajit: A longevity Compound
Shilajit: Mineral Resin
Shilajit is a phyto-complex black resin. It is an ancient organic substance formed by the decomposition of plants by microorganisms over centuries. Found in the Himalayas on cave walls embedded in rocks or as rock exudates this substance is composed of organic matter, rich in minerals and trace elements. Shilajit is particularly rich in fulvic acid, but also contains minerals Iron, iodine, zinc, copper, sulfur, chromium, manganese, selenium, vitamins, enzymes, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants.
Shilajit in Ancient Medicine
Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and was often used as an anti-aging and health-promoting compound.
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Ayurvedic medicine is often considered the world’s oldest healing science. This 5,000-year-old system originated in the Vedic culture of India, and translates to “life science”. The ancient techniques include a combination of religious, philosophical, anthropological, medical, and psychological concepts which embrace the whole human being; body and soul. While the practice of Ayurveda on the surface can feel quite conceptual, it has in many ways been proven accurate by science 1.
Ayurveda is made up of 8 major disciplines which include:
Kaaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
Baala Chikitsa (Treatment of Children / Pediatrics)
Graha Chikitsa (Demonology / Psychology)
Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (Treatment of disease above the clavicle)
Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery)
Damstra Chikitsa (Toxicology)
Rasayan / Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation)
Vrsha Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac therapy).
To read more about each of the disciplines, and read more about the history of this practice, check out my blog post on Ayurvedic medicine here.
In Vedic culture, Shilajit is given the characteristics of a Rasayana; which translates to:
“path of essence”
Rasayana is considered the Rejuvenation branch of Ayurvedic medicine, awakening the body's vitality to its fullest capacity. Rasayana treatments and therapies are traditionally used to heal and restore a warn-down or depleted body, and to preserve youth 2.
In both Nepal and the North of India, Shilajit is placed in milk and is often consumed with breakfast. It is said that the health benefits of using Shilajit include increased longevity, rejuvenation, decreased effects of aging, and increased cognitive function 2.. (Carrasco-Gallardo, 2012). Shilajit is a compound of the earth. The idea that our ancestors discovered this compound and understood its benefits without science is fascinating. The ancient understanding of the human body, nature, and of life must have been greater than this modern world could ever conceive.
It is magical when practices that were discovered through years of tradition and a spiritual connection with nature, are found to be precisely accurate (by our skeptical culture) with science.
Shilajit has many benefits found by our ancestors and is backed by modern science. Some of these benefits include:
High antioxidant properties
Cognitive enhancement
Anti-diabetic properties
Antiallergic properties
Anti-inflammatory properties
Anti-fungal properties
Anti-aging properties
Don’t Believe me? Let science do the talking:
Science yet again has gone on to discover the accuracy of ayurvedic practices, including that of shilajit.
To understand the benefits of Shilajit, it is important to consider its composition. Shilajit is comprised of more than 85 minerals in ionic form, a large number of humic substances, proteins, lipids, and amino acids. Many of these elements contribute to the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of Shilajit 3.
While there has not yet been an abundance of clinical trials or large systematic reviews on the effects of shilajit, there are a number of significant studies that have been published that can help pave the way to further research. These studies have tested this compound as a supplement in both in vivo (animal) and human subjects and uncovered the anti-aging, rejuvenating, and immune-fighting properties of this century-old remedy.
A study published in 2016 tested the effect of Shilajit mineral resin supplementation on antioxidant and immune response in freshwater prawns. The purpose of this study was to reduce or eliminate disease spread in prawns and confirm the efficacy of shilajit supplementation as a possible solution. The results of this study suggest that a diet enriched with Shilajit positively enhanced antioxidant activity, immunity, and disease resistance in vivo 3.
A further study conducted on 63 healthy active adults aimed to consider the potential benefits of Shilajit on muscle retention, strength, and autophagy. After 8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation at 500 mg/d, this study demonstrated that supplementation at this dosage could maximize muscular strength retention, and incite favorable connective tissue and muscle adaptations 4.
Shilajit may also have an impact on hormones and one clinical study showed a significant increase in total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone when supplementing with Shilajit 5 . This is important as a decrease in testosterone levels is increasingly common, which may be in part due to the effects of EMF’s (Electromagnetic fields) on our bodies 6.
A study done on post-menopausal women confirms the ancient remedy of shilajit as both a longevity and rejuvenating compound. A double-blind clinical trial conducted on 60 postmenopausal women, aged 45 to 65 with osteopenia received either a placebo or Shilajit extract for 48 weeks. Daily supplementation with Shilajit reduced bone turnover, inflammation, and oxidative stress 7. This may be in part due to the high mineral density, amino acids, and fulvic acid compounds that make up this powerful resin. This last study is particularly influential for me as the women in my family have a tendency to develop most menopausal osteopenia. For this reason, and for the many other benefits discussed above, I love to incorporate Shilajit into my regime.
Traditional healing modalities are often rooted in a deep understanding of the body and how it can interact with nature. This is an amazing example of the intelligence that Ayurvedic medicine carries. I love to honor traditions by taking the time to learn about natural medicines such as Shilajit, and utilize them in my own practice. I have a deep love for sharing my learnings and a desire to further my own connection with nature.
Medicinal effects:
Attract Electrolytes
Increase Cognitive Function
Increase bone density
Pure Energy
Brain Performance
Sexual Boost
Immune Defense
Vitality & Longevity
Enhanced Mitochondrial Functioning
Balance Hormones
Reduce Inflammation
Where to buy Shilajit:
Shilajit Elixers
REFERENCES
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Scharfetter C. Ayutveda [Ayurveda]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1976 Apr 24;106(17):565-72. German. PMID: 982009. LINK
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Ali M. Rasayana therapy in classical literature of Ayurveda: a review. Bull Indian Inst Hist Med Hyderabad. 1998 Jul;28(2):95-110. PMID: 12596736. LINK
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Musthafa, M. S., Jawahar Ali, A. R., Hyder Ali, A. R., Mohamed, M. J., War, M., Naveed, M. S., Al-Sadoon, M. K., Paray, B. A., Rani, K. U., Arockiaraj, J., Balasundaram, C., & Harikrishnan, R. (2016). Effect of Shilajit enriched diet on immunity, antioxidants, and disease resistance in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) against Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish & shellfish immunology, 57, 293–300. LINK
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Keller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, Smith CM, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019 Feb 6;16 LINK
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Pandit, S., Biswas, S., Jana, U., De, R. K., Mukhopadhyay, S. C., & Biswas, T. K. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48(5), 570–575.
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Sepehrimanesh, M., Saeb, M., Nazifi, S., Kazemipour, N., Jelodar, G., & Saeb, S. (2014). Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model. International journal of biometeorology
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Pingali, U., & Nutalapati, C. (2022). Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 105, 154334.
