Shilajit is truly a unique material. It is pronounced “sheel-a-jeet”. Shilajit is formed deep within rocks of higher elevation mountainous regions across the world. As buried plant material compresses and decomposes, it gradually becomes a dark brown to black, sticky, mineral-infused substance. It is then harvested as a natural exudate that oozes through rocks at the surface. (1)(2) Translated from Sanskrit, shilajit means “the destroyer of weakness”. It is also called “blood of the mountains”, “mineral pitch”, and “juice of rock”. (2)
The way shilajit is processed mimics traditional methods. Here is Black Lotus’ process: Shilajit must be harvested in warmer weather to have access to high altitude rocks. When first harvested, shilajit in its raw form contains rocks and sediments. This raw shilajit is dissolved in water and then run through a specialized filtration system involving fine sieves and cotton gauze to strain out clay, sediment, and rocks. The use of cotton gauze pads removes the tiniest clay particles, a part of the process that can be overlooked by other shilajit suppliers. The filtered shilajit is then sun dried in a sterile, sunny environment for several weeks or months. As water evaporates, a thick shilajit resin forms. (1)
Resin image from Black Lotus Shilajit
Shilajit is full of beneficial minerals, fulvic acid, humic acid, amino acids, and plant-based antioxidants. While 40 or more minerals have been found in shilajit, 90% of the total mineral content of processed shilajit is generally potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with sulfur and sodium being the next most common minerals.
Shilajit gently detoxifies bodily tissues while simultaneously strengthening, nourishing, and building quality of the tissues. It has adaptogenic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and neurological properties. (3)
Beneficial Actions of Shilajit:
- Revitalizes the system
- Promotes general health and longevity
- Nourishes blood and builds bones
- Supports the urinary tract
- Aids reproductive health
- Promotes physical and mental energy
- Benefits physical performance and endurance
- Supports healthy aging
(2)(3)
Some Uses of Shilajit:
- Relieve fatigue
- stomach disorders and ulcers
- bone fractures
- inflammatory joint conditions
- impotence
- nerve and cardiovascular disorders
- diabetes
- wounds
- muscle and tendon strains
- urinary tract infections
- (3)
Shilajit can be bought in resin, tincture, or tablet form. Shilajit has a very high degree of safety, as proven through various studies. (3) It is important, however, to make sure you are getting a purified, processed, trusted product that is safe to consume. Black Lotus Shilajit is purified with only clean water, using zero harsh acids, solvents or chemicals.
Sources
1) Shilajit benefits. Black Lotus Shilajit. (n.d.). https://blacklotusshilajit.com/
2) Banyan Botanicals. (2024, March 6). The benefits of Shilajit. https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/plants/ayurvedic-herbs/shilajit/#What%20Is%20Shilajit
3) Stohs, S. J., Singh, K., Das, A., Roy, S., & Sen, C. K. (2017). Energy and health benefits of Shilajit. In Sustained Energy for Enhanced Human Functions and Activity (pp. 187-204). Academic Press.
Featured photo by Samuel Ferrera on Unsplash.